M8 Flare Pistol

[Cyrano]

Another treasure (?) from the Odessa show. It's a M8 flare pistol, probably WW II vintage. I think the date of that fired flare cartridge is 1943. The pistol is mostly stampings and the butt is an aluminum casting. I think it's 37mm. It's stamped on the right side with four letters in a diamond formation; from the top, clockwise, they are E.C.V.C. Probably the maker's name, but does anyone know what it is? The first letter of the company could be either E or C.

Are modern flares available for this contraption?

 

[novalty]

For you viewing pleasure: YouTube

 

[walnutred]

I suspect your M8 was manufactured by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company, which during WW2 was located in Detroit, Michigan.

 

[Fred_P]

Cyrano,
For flares to fire, you can get newly manufactured 37mm cartridges from rareammo.com. They have several colored aerial flares, some with a loud report. They used to have parachute flares, but I was told that they have a total commitment to government orders for production of those.

Also, you can get an aluminum adapter to fire 26.5mm flares. These are plentiful in the surplus market -- made in Austria or Czechoslovakia, as best as I recall. You can find them in aerial flares, aerial smoke, and parachute flares. I buy a handful when I find them at local gun shows. Typical prices are $4 to $5 each for aerial flares or smoke and $5 to $10 for the parachute flares. None have reports.

Always wear hearing protection when you fire these off -- they have quite a bang, since they are not rocket type and all the propellant stays in the casing.


Have fun!

Fred

 

[Cyrano]

Fred P: how's the recoil on these things? The pistol isn't particularly heavy.

 

[Fred_P]

Recoil is not high. Pretty much like a mid to large caliber handgun. I hold it single handed, arm fully extended above my head, pointing straight up or to a 45 degree angle, depending on where I want the flare to go. You've got a large grip to hold onto.

I also have an M9, which is only a tube (barrel) and no grip. You hold the barrel with one hand. In the rear is a flat plunger attached to the firing pin. It's designed to be hit with the palm of your other hand. A friend (reenactor), decided that this model was supposed to be fired by striking the plunger on one knee while he knelt on the other knee -- he called it a "knee mortar firing technique". He did it once -- the pain lasted a week or so.....

Fred

PS
I believe that the bosses near the muzzle are to engage a port in the fuselage of an aircraft.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks, Fred. Yeah, I sorta thougth those lugs were part of a bayonet type engagement for aircraft or small boats (PTs?)

 

[jboo]

M9 Needed

Recoil is not high. Pretty much like a mid to large caliber handgun. I hold it single handed, arm fully extended above my head, pointing straight up or to a 45 degree angle, depending on where I want the flare to go. You've got a large grip to hold onto.

I also have an M9, which is only a tube (barrel) and no grip. You hold the barrel with one hand. In the rear is a flat plunger attached to the firing pin. It's designed to be hit with the palm of your other hand. A friend (reenactor), decided that this model was supposed to be fired by striking the plunger on one knee while he knelt on the other knee -- he called it a "knee mortar firing technique". He did it once -- the pain lasted a week or so.....

Fred

PS
I believe that the bosses near the muzzle are to engage a port in the fuselage of an aircraft.

Hi wondering if you want to sell the M9 or know where I could get one Thanks