Original French WWI Model 1917 Flare Signal Pistol

Original Item: Only One Available. Heavy Brass French signal pistol from the First World War. It is chambered for French 25-mm flare cartridges. It does not accept the 26.5-mm cartridges currently available nor commercial 1-inch cartridges. The bore diameter is 26.9 millimeters. This is one of several different French signal pistols with the M1917 model designation; this version has a 4-inch barrel. There is also a letter V over a small arc on the barrel base rib. The barrel and frame are brass; the trigger, hammer, opening lever, internal parts, and lanyard ring are steel. The grip panels are wood with a diamond checkering. Not Available for Export. This example is stamped COLT’S PATENT on the left side of the frame, which was almost definitely added in the factory. This was done to mimic early colts, as some French & Belgian makers thought it would help market their products better. This is the only maker stamp we could find, so we are unsure of the actual maker of this example.