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  #1  
Old 11-24-2011, 12:02 PM
slumpy slumpy is offline
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Default us navy hand fired flares.

They say us navy signal hand fired, mk80, model o, penguin assoc. Inc. Yes I googled them, but didn't find much out, plus I rather enjoy everybody on here giving their knowledge out. So, anybody know anymore about them? Thanks and happy thanksgiving.
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Old 11-24-2011, 12:06 PM
mkk41 mkk41 is offline
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Yep , know them well as they were in my gear as a Navy P-3 Aircrewman. I still have a few of the launchers. Basically a big zip-gun. Not very powerful , and don't think flares are available commercially. Held straight up , flare hit adound 500-600 ft.
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Old 11-24-2011, 12:47 PM
slumpy slumpy is offline
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us navy hand fired flares. us navy hand fired flares. us navy hand fired flares. us navy hand fired flares. us navy hand fired flares.  
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These have never been fired, and I don't want to to find out what color they are, so are they red?
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Old 11-24-2011, 12:57 PM
mkk41 mkk41 is offline
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Quote:
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These have never been fired, and I don't want to to find out what color they are, so are they red?
Yep , actually IIRC , they contain 2 red pyrotechnic balls.
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Old 11-24-2011, 01:07 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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You also want to store the flare projector in the "Cocked" position, if you screw a flare into the projector while it is in the "Fired" position (which you show in the picture), the flare will fire....

I was a P-3 Aircrewman as well, we got to fire the Flare Projector in training, SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) School in California. One of my instructors in SERE School shot flares at every jackrabbit he saw, he finally hit one and the flare just bounced off the rabbit, so they are probably not a good defensive weapon.
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  #6  
Old 11-24-2011, 07:50 PM
rburg rburg is offline
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I've got one someplace. It was the commercial model, and I've got (from memory) a few of the original tear gas cartridges (as shown) and a few later model gas cartrdiges (black).

I've also got a NATO launcher with both flares (red and green) and I used to have some report signals. Just flying M80s as I recall. We used all of those while out playing in the woods.
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Old 11-24-2011, 07:58 PM
slumpy slumpy is offline
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I wanted to shoot a few but chickened out because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to replace them, but I guess they are not that rare?
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Old 11-24-2011, 08:02 PM
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I have never seen replacement flares offered for sale, when I was in the Navy I used to get expired flares from the Parachute Riggers who maintaned that sort of thing, since leaving the Navy I haven't seen any spare flares, I think there are regulations about disposing of them properly.
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Old 11-24-2011, 09:09 PM
rburg rburg is offline
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I still see them from time to time at the larger gun shows. They're not cheap when they do appear. There was one this fall, and I think the seller wanted $60 for the launcher and 3 flares.

A few years back a guy had an entire display of Penguin flares and launchers. It probably had a dozen on the display type card (the kind with a fold out section that acted as a leg. I kind of remember them from the 1960s in gun stores. But that seller wanted $1800 for the lot of them.

I'd suggest you not shoot it.
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Old 11-24-2011, 09:23 PM
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Still have my shooter. No more flairs! They're fun to shoot!! I was an AO2 on the USS America.. We stored them for the P-3 guys.
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  #11  
Old 11-24-2011, 09:24 PM
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I have two launchers and a variety of flares that fit it....I will take some pics tomorrow and post....
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Old 11-24-2011, 09:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slumpy View Post
I wanted to shoot a few but chickened out because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to replace them, but I guess they are not that rare?
I got out in 1984 with some expierd flares. From what I remember, I shot mine off within 3 years of that with no problems.
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Old 11-24-2011, 10:27 PM
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I fired a flare three nights ago dated 72......it worked just fine
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Old 11-24-2011, 11:50 PM
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I will not be shooting these, think I'll just hold onto em for awhile longer, sounds like they might keep going up in collector value,
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Old 11-25-2011, 09:00 AM
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these things are in the pilothouse of every floating gray USS out there. We use them all the time. i dislike the pencil launcher (everyone calls them pencil flares) but the flares are surprising for their size.
Better, and becoming much more prolific, are the 40mm flares. Easy to fire out of the 203 grenade launcher, and they are brighter and shoot farther.
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Old 11-25-2011, 09:17 AM
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We called them pencil flares also.
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Old 11-25-2011, 10:40 AM
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Had one back in the 70's and it worked great! Fired red pyro several hundred feet into the air. Used be able to buy the replacement cartridges for these, and I kept mine in my "survival gear". Probably still have the darn thing somewhere. I don't see these as more than a curio, though - value wise.
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  #18  
Old 11-25-2011, 04:39 PM
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Need flares....try here
Product Catalog

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Old 11-25-2011, 04:43 PM
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[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

the long, thinner flares are dated 8-66....one of the short fat ones is dated 72, and the other knurled flare on top has no date....powder is some smokeless type....I have another complete set that hasn't been touched in the safe...
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Old 11-25-2011, 04:52 PM
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I just looked closer at mine and they are dated 5-67, and the band around the bottom has ccc on it in red.
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Old 11-25-2011, 04:57 PM
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slumpy, your flares are just about brand new Go ahead and shoot one, you KNOW you want to....
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Old 11-25-2011, 06:48 PM
darmtn1917 darmtn1917 is offline
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As an aside S&W (1970s) made a similar launcher that fired a flare or a tear gas cartridge. You see them at gun shows - but usually only empty casings Guess most owners can't resist seeing what they look like.

The S&W one I've got is gold colored and uses a larger flare than the "pengun" type
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Old 11-25-2011, 07:26 PM
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I shot a few in the military, not too bright as I recall. I saved a pack for when I go hunting or fishing.
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Old 11-25-2011, 07:46 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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I'm still looking for flares for my Model 209-277 N frame Smith "1500 Magnum" (1 1/2" caliber)and wonder if they're legal to own???



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Old 11-25-2011, 08:59 PM
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Who knows whats legal where you live.

If 1 1/2" is the same as 37MM, they're easy to find and buy around here. If I had an expended case I'd send you one to test in the action.
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Old 11-25-2011, 09:25 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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"Who knows whats legal where you live." LOL, oh so ture!

Yes it's 37 MM.

Thanks Dick.
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Old 11-26-2011, 11:42 PM
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Anyone know where to get flares for a US 37mm flare pistol?
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