Kampfpistole

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Kampfpistole
Flare pistol, U-505, World War II - Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) - DSC06765.JPG
This photo is of a Leuchtpistole 34. The Kampfpistole was nearly identical except it had a rifled barrel.
Type Flare gun
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1939-1945
Used byGermany
Production history
DesignerWalther
Manufacturer Walther
Erma
Specifications
Mass1.4 kg (3 lb 1 oz)
Length155 mm (6.1 in) [1]

Cartridge Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone
Nebelpatrone
Sprengpatrone
Caliber 23 mm (0.91 in)
Action Break action
Feed system Single shot [1]

The Kampfpistole or "combat pistol" in English was a flare gun introduced into German service during 1939 and served throughout World War II.

Contents

Design

The Kampfpistole was a single shot, break action, flare gun designed and produced by Walther that was a variant of the earlier Leuchtpistole 34 . Externally both the Kampfpistole and the Leuchtpistole 34 were nearly identical. The difference between the two models was the Kampfpistole had a rifled barrel while the Leuchtpistole 34 was a smoothbore gun. The Kampfpistole could be identified by a Z engraved on the barrel of the gun. The Kampfpistole's frame was machined from duralumin, the barrel was machined from steel, was blued to stop corrosion, and had bakelite pistol grips. [1]

Ammunition

The primary roles for the Kampfpistole were signaling, illumination, target marking, or concealment with a smoke grenade. Later during World War II, explosive rounds were developed to give German troops a small and lightweight grenade launcher for engaging targets from close range which could not be engaged satisfactorily by infantry weapons or artillery without endangering friendly troops. [2]

Available projectiles included:

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mod. Kampfpistole". leuchtpistole.free.fr. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  2. 1 2 United States. War Department. Military Intelligence Division (1943-01-01). Tactical And Technical Trends, Nos. 21-30.
  3. 1 2 unknown (1 August 1945). Catalog Of Enemy Ordnance Material. www.paperlessarchives.com/FreeTitles/CatalogOfEnemyOrdnanceMateriel.pdf: Office of the chief of ordnance. p. 326.