MODEL 1882 NAVY U.S. FLARE PISTOL - VERY PISTOL

[signalman]

This is an example of the rare ( only 100 believed manufactured in the USA ) 1882 U.S.Navy Very Pistol.

Probably batch numbered, however, this example has no serial number.

I have seen these dated 1882, 1883 and 1884. This one is dated 1882.

Most of these are believed to have been converted to the smaller 1894 10 gauge cal.

Dyer & Robson also manufactured these for the British, and some British examples are unmarked.

[Dr.E13]

Looking at the 1882 US Very Signal Pistol above, you can see at the underside of the barrel , front and rear, there is a small finger groove. Also there is a swivel on the pistol butt.

If you look under British Flare Pistols you will see the British version is the same.

The US, UK and German patent drawings do not show a finger grove or lanyard ring.

Does anyone recall seeing the 1882 model without the groove or lanyard ring?

If you have seen one, what were the markings and serial number?

Thank you.

[Dr.E13]

In the first post Signalman mentions that some British 1882 Signal Pistols are unmarked.
Signalman do you mean no Manufacturs marks or no proofmarks, letters or numbers?
Zero marks?

[signalman]

Hello, I meant no manufactures marks on some.

Those I have and have seen with no manufactures marks do have British proofs.

All my US and British 1882's have what you call finger grooves. Actually they are grooved to allow the barrel to rotate into place without jamming.

All my US 1882's have lanyard rings. 3 of my British examples do not, and 2 of my British examples have lanyard rings.

I have not kept a record of all that I have seen over the years.

[Dr.E13]

I am guessing your British without a lanyard ring may be earlier then those with.

None of the patent drawings have lanyard rings nor what I refer to as finger grooves.
As why no manufactures names are on your British pieces I am still thing about.

I have compared 3 patent drawings so far but I need to locate a later patent.

Thank you Signalman.

[Dr.E13]

I have seen 2 Model 1882 Navy Very Pistol having no marks of proof or Manufacure.

The barrel has no finger groves front or backl.

Also no lanyard rings.