Original Item: Brass French signal pistol from the First World War. It is chambered for French 25-mm flare cartridges. It does not accept the 26.5-mm cartridges currently available nor commercial 1-inch cartridges. The bore diameter is 26.9 millimeters. This is one of several different French signal pistols with the M1917 model designation; this version has a 4-inch barrel. The maker is identified as “G. G. & Cie.” There is also a letter V over a small arc on the frame near the top of the left grip panel. The barrel and frame are brass; the trigger, hammer, opening lever, internal parts, and lanyard ring are steel. As with most signal pistols, there is no serial number. The grip panels are wood with a diamond checkering. One only.