Leuchtpistole 34

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Leuchtpistole 34
Flare pistol, U-505, World War II - Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) - DSC06765.JPG
A Leuchtpistole 34 from U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL.
Type Flare gun
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1934-1945
Used byGermany
Denmark
Production history
DesignerWalther
Manufacturer Walther
Erma
Bernard Berhauss
Specifications
Mass730 g (1 lb 10 oz)
Length245 mm (9.6 in)
Barrel  length155 mm (6.1 in) [1]

Cartridge Flare
Smoke
Panzerwurfkörper 42
Wurfgranate Patrone 326
Wurfkorper 361
Caliber 26.6 mm (1.05 in)
Action Break action
Feed system Single shot [1]

The Leuchtpistole 34 or flare gun in English was introduced into German service before World War II and served throughout World War II.

Contents

Design

The Leuchtpistole 34 was a single shot, break action, smoothbore, flare gun designed and produced by Walther that was a successor to the earlier Leuchtpistole 26. The Leuchtpistole 26 was of steel construction, was blued to stop corrosion, and had dyed oak pistol grips. While the Leuchtpistole 34's frame was machined from duralumin, the barrel was machined from steel, was blued to stop corrosion, and had bakelite pistol grips. Due to the use of light alloys, the Leuchtpistole 34 was lighter than its predecessor and the trigger guard was enlarged so the user could fire the gun in cold weather while wearing gloves. [1]

Successors

Variants

Ammunition

The primary roles for the Leuchtpistole 34 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. [3]

Available projectiles included:

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mod. 34". leuchtpistole.free.fr. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  2. "Mod. LP42". leuchtpistole.free.fr. Retrieved 2019-02-10.
  3. 1 2 3 United States. War Department. Military Intelligence Division (1943-01-01). Tactical And Technical Trends, Nos. 21-30.