WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

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Alpino
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WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by Alpino »

As you can see, this is a copy of the US Sedgley 1" DAO flare gun.
The Finns purchased 1000x of these, as well as 1000x H&R flare pistols,
I do not know what type regarding the latter.
They also purchased 600,000 [or 60,000? different sources] "25mm" red, white & green star flares
from Triumph Explosives Inc in Elkton, Maryland.

These Finn flare pistols were manufactured at VKT - the state rifle factory
I do not know how many, but will get back on this.
Their nomenclature is Valopistooli 43 or "light pistol 1943" 25mm being 26.4mm I suppose

Finland used many types of flare pistols in WW2
a true fight for survival from their traditional giant enemy Russia.
Flare guns as WW1 surplus, some purchases & captured from Soviet forces, a main supply for the Finns!

As you can see, the barrel & receiver are made of steel, unlike the Sedgley's aluminum
The grip, of plastic [bakelite?] aluminum [no doubt from downed Soviet aircraft] & Finnish wood.

This is one of the Holy Grails for my Finn & flare pistol collection... I've heard they have never been released
rattle my cage if you find out!!!
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signalman
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by signalman »

I have only seen these in pictures.
Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians.


I am still looking for ANY information regarding the European Use of the Original Costons flares from 1859 through 1881. Photo's, Patents, contracts & orders, ANY INFORMATION IS NEEDED ! !
hotto
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by hotto »

Hi Alpino, here is another pistol for Finland
Belgian signal pistol model 1917

This pistol has been manufactured in Belgium since the beginning of the twenties especially for Finland. This is the replica of the French signal pistol Mle 1917. This pistol is very clean processed. It is not known when exactly these pistols were produced in Belgium and when they were delivered to Finland, but it was known that their production was discontinued in 1925 in favor of a modified model.
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hotto
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by hotto »

..and here another one
Belgian signal pistol model 1925

This is the improved version of the 1917 model. In this gun, the handle was no longer bronze, but forged steel, which greatly improved its stability. There were no other technical changes to the pistol.
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Alpino
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by Alpino »

THANKS Hotto!
some great info. I really do not know the difference between French & Belgian.
Is there a Liege mark on the Belgians?
My brass Mdle 1917 has a marginal serial number - 77
and only one small mark... about like this >(
I suspect the big change in 1925 was due to the unique, non- interchangeable 25mm flares
a bit of a logistics problem for a nation using 8 types of flare pistols!

Just picked up a steel Belgian/French flaregun... these things are rather addictive!
hotto
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by hotto »

Hello Alpino,
the Belgian pistols have no manufacturer's mark. It is also unknown where they were produced.
Best regards
Horst
hotto
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by hotto »

Hi,
The sign on your French pistol means vérifié - proofed. This is the French military acceptance stamp.
Horst
hotto
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by hotto »

From 1941 Finland becam also Walther pistols from Germany. The pistol shown here was produced in 1942 at ERMA in Erfurt. The SA - stamp (Suomen Armeija) identifies it as the property of the Finnish Army, the additional stamp Lj. (Lentojoukot) is the property stamp of the Air Force.
Both the SA stamp and the Lj stamp were not printed before 1942.
The matching cartridges can be found under “Flare gun ammunition”.
Best regards
Horst
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Alpino
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by Alpino »

Danke Hotto!
I am mostly aware of this, at least the '42 "watershed"
These quality pistols indeed went to the airforce
The airforce always gets the best stuff
I knew this as a young infantryman... we got C-rations, the USAF got salad bars :mrgreen:
I am saving my pennies to get one
Does anyone here need a Gew88 or a Danish Krag rifle!
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Gotavapen
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Re: WW2 Finnish manufactured flare pistol

Post by Gotavapen »

700vkt.jpg
Alpino wrote: Thu 26 Apr 2018, 18:24 As you can see, this is a copy of the US Sedgley 1" DAO flare gun.
The Finns purchased 1000x of these, as well as 1000x H&R flare pistols,
I do not know what type regarding the latter.
They also purchased 600,000 [or 60,000? different sources] "25mm" red, white & green star flares
from Triumph Explosives Inc in Elkton, Maryland.

These Finn flare pistols were manufactured at VKT - the state rifle factory
I do not know how many, but will get back on this.
Their nomenclature is Valopistooli 43 or "light pistol 1943" 25mm being 26.4mm I suppose

Finland used many types of flare pistols in WW2
a true fight for survival from their traditional giant enemy Russia.
Flare guns as WW1 surplus, some purchases & captured from Soviet forces, a main supply for the Finns!

As you can see, the barrel & receiver are made of steel, unlike the Sedgley's aluminum
The grip, of plastic [bakelite?] aluminum [no doubt from downed Soviet aircraft] & Finnish wood.

This is one of the Holy Grails for my Finn & flare pistol collection... I've heard they have never been released
rattle my cage if you find out!!!
Hi Alpino
Here is one VKT which I found here in Sweden.
Very typical crude grip. Maybe from a K98k wooden stock.
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