US AN M-8 Flare Pistol Used in USAAF Aircraft

[Aragorn243]

Newest addition to my flare gun collection. These were used by the USAAF and may have been used by the British as well. I've seen some comments to that effect but have no actual proof. They screwed into a port in the bombers generally just behind the Pilot's seat area. They would be fired when signals would be needed to the rest of the flight and no other option was available and they didn't want to use the radios but more commonly when returning to base. Different colors let the ground crew know if ambulance or fire control needed to be prepared for this particular aircraft.

The four protrusions near the muzzle would lock into the port, the top hook pulled back releases it from the port and the bottom/rear hook pushed up opens the gun to insert the flare.

This one was made by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company.

Serial number on the back of the grip, an additional number/code there RIAL No. E- which might be a unit inventory mark of some sort. Two marks on the bottom of the grip, probably inspector marks.

Most of these seem to be undated but this one is clearly marked 1943, so was made in plenty of time to see the bulk of the bomber raids over Germany.

[Fushigi Ojisan]

Two red flares from this B17 of the 381st. Bomb Group mean wounded on board. Taken at Ridgewell, Essex, 1944

[Sapper740]

I don't know if you're aware but you can buy a 37mm to 1" 12 ga. flare adapter allowing you to use inexpensive flares with your flare gun.

[browningautorifle]

We have a guy around here flogging inserts that will chamber all sorts of stuff. 45LC, .357, .410 shotgun so on and
so on... Don't know if they're a good idea.

[Aragorn243]

I have heard of them. Thought about getting one a couple of times but never have. I have several boxes of Czech flares somewhere. I just realized I have no idea where they are but suspect they are in a compartment in one of my bookshelves. They are 26.5mm.

[Bob Womack]

That's an interesting bit o' history. By the way, you can add that these flare guns were used in formation assembly as well. The lead plane of a squadron and also of a group would fire specific flare patterns identified in the order of the day in order to draw his charges to him.

Bob

[Sapper740]

We have a guy around here flogging inserts that will chamber all sorts of stuff. 45LC, .357, .410 shotgun so on and
so on... Don't know if they're a good idea.

Those would be illegal in Canada if inserted in a flare gun with a barrel equal to or less than 105mm, no?

[browningautorifle]

Those would be illegal

Yup...