Aflare gun, also known as aVery pistol orsignal pistol, is a large-borehandgun that dischargesflares,blanks andsmoke. The flare gun is typically used to produce adistress signal.
The most common type of flare gun is a Very (sometimes spelled Verey),[1] which was named afterEdward Wilson Very (1847–1910), an American naval officer who developed and popularized a single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed pistol that firedflares (Very lights).[2] They have asingle action trigger mechanism, hammer action, and a center fire pin.[3] Modern varieties are frequently made out of durableplastic of a bright colour that makes them more conspicuous and easier to retrieve in an emergency and assists in distinguishing them from conventional firearms.
The Very pistol, typical of the type used in theSecond World War, have a bore diameter of 1.04 inches (26.5 mm), commonly referred to as a "one inch bore" for short, now known as "Calibre 4" for signal pistols.[4][5] These are still available and more recent longer-barrel models can also fire parachute flares.[6] Many newer models fire smaller 12-gauge (18.5 mm) flares.[5] In countries where possession of firearms is strictly controlled,such as the United Kingdom, the use of Very pistols as emergency equipment on boats is less common than, for example, theUnited States; in the U.K. flare guns are regulated as a firearm and require a firearms license, which are typically only granted to masters of larger vessels andharbormasters.[7] In such locations, distress flares are more commonly fired from single-shot tube devices which are then disposed of after use. These devices are fired by twisting or striking a pad on one end, but the contents are otherwise similar to a round from a flare gun, although the flares themselves are much larger and can burn brighter for longer.[8] In theRussian Federation, which also has strict controls on firearms, a special tube-shaped flare launching device called a "Hunter's Signal" (Сигнал Охотника) is available. This is reusable but is deliberately designed in a way to avoid resemblance to a gun.[9]
Flare guns may be used whenever someone needs to send adistress signal. The flares must be shot directly above, making the signal visible for a longer period of time and revealing the position of whoever is in need of assistance. There are four distinct flare calibers: 12-gauge (18.53 mm), 25 mm, 26.5 mm, and 37 mm – the first three being the most popular for boaters.[5]
Flare guns may be used for the destruction of inflammable material, or in an anti-personnel role.[10][11][12]
InWorld War II, Germany manufactured grenades designed to be fired from adapted flare guns known as theSturmpistole in its final form. Fragmentation rounds and anti-tankHEAT warheads were produced for the pistol, however the latter only had 80 mm of penetration (RHA) requiring it to be either fired on lightly armoured targets or used on the sides and rears of heavily armoured targets such as the late-war tanks that were beginning to enter service.[13]
The Soviets developed the Baranov pocket mortar during 1943, which fired a 175 g round with an 8 g explosive charge out to a range of 200-350 m (it was also proposed to increase this to 600-700 m).[14] A later development was the PSA/PSA-1/ASP, a copy of the US issue M8 flare pistol. This fired an experimental grenade which was 40% more powerful than that used with the Kampfpistole.[15][16]
Conversion kits are available intended to convert flare guns to accept conventional ammunition by use of barrel inserts. There are also 12 gauge inserts intended to allow use of rifle or pistol ammunition in conventional 12 gauge shotguns. Use of any of these devices in the Orion plastic 12 gauge flare gun is not recommended by the manufacturer andATF tests have demonstrated that sometimes a single use results in a catastrophic failure. In the United States, if these conversion kits are used in a metal flare gun, the converted gun is considered to be a firearm by the ATF. If a rifled barrel insert is used, the converted firearm is classified as a pistol; if a smoothbore barrel insert is used, the converted firearm is classified as anAOW subject to the additional requirements of theNFA.[17] Flare cartridges are low pressure compared to conventional ammunition and even metal flare guns are not designed or intended to be used with conventional ammunition. Conversion of a flare gun to fire conventional ammunition may also be restricted by localimprovised firearm laws.
Another historically famous flare, still in use, is theVery light, invented by a U.S. naval officer, Edward W. Very (1874–1910). It is white or colored and is fired from a special pistol.
