Original Item: Only One Available. Wonderful condition 37mm WWII International Flare Signal Co. Flare Pistol. Some collectors refer to this as the "Model 52" not because it was designed in 1952 but that at one time this gun was part of the International No. 52 marine distress signal kit.
Break open operation, featuring steel, brass, and nickel construction. The pistol is embossed on both side of the crosshatch grip in raised letters: INTERNATIONAL FLARE SIGNAL CO. /TIPPECANCE CITY OHIO. 10 3/4 inch overall length with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. Excellent markings and condition with only a few very minor surface blemishes. The left side of the barrel is marked with serial number 24333 and dated DEC '43. Rarely do these pistols bear wartime dates! It also has matching number 47 on both pieces of the brass frame. In very good overall condition, in complete working order with firing pin still present.
These flare guns were made for commercial and military wartime use. Imagine being stranded in a life raft, after the sinking of your ship by a U-Boat, the most valuable item in your survival kit may have been this flare gun. The gun has certainly seen service and an interesting life; if it could only talk... These are encountered fairly often, but are usually overly polished. Don’t let this one get away, this one actually looks as old as it really is.
