Leuchtpistole 42

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Leuchtpistole 42
Leuchtpistole IMG 1728.JPG
Leuchtpistole 42.
Type Flare gun
Place of originFlag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany
Service history
In service1943-1945
Used byGermany
Production history
DesignerHASAG
Manufacturer HASAG
Metallwarenfabrik C.u.W. Meinel-Scholer
Waffenfabrik Moritz & Gerstenberger
Specifications
Mass1.120 kg (2 lb 7.5 oz)
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 42 or flare gun in English was introduced into German service in 1943 and served throughout World War II.

Contents

Design

The Leuchtpistole 42 was a single shot, break action, smoothbore, flare gun that was a successor to the earlier Leuchtpistole 34. The Leuchtpistole 42 which was made from stamped mild steel components, was galvanized to stop corrosion and used bakelite for the pistol grips. The focus of the Leuchtpistole 42 was to reduce the consumption of light alloys, reduce reliance on machined components, reduce production time, and reduce production costs. Despite being made from mild steel and stamped components it was considered rugged and its rough appearance didn't hinder its functionality. However, the Leuchtpistole 42 was nearly 390 g (14 oz) heavier than its predecessor. [1]

Variants

Ammunition

The primary roles for the Leuchtpistole 42 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:

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wurfgranate Patrone 326</span> Rifle grenade

The Wurfgranate Patrone 326 was a small grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Wurfgranate Patrone 326 was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole or flare gun in English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wurfkörper 361</span> Rifle grenade

The Wurfkörper 361 was a grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Wurfkörper 361 was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole or flare gun in English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leuchtpistole 34</span> Flare gun

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panzerwurfkörper 42</span> HEAT Anti-tank grenade

The Panzerwurfkörper 42 was a HEAT grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Panzerwurfkörper 42 was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole or flare gun in English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi-Star Signal Cartridge</span> Signal flare

The Multi-Star Signal Cartridge was a non-lethal signal flare that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Multi-Star Signal Cartridge was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole or flare gun in English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone</span> Star shell

The Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone or "parachute light cartridge" in English was a non-lethal star shell that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone was designed to be fired from a Kampfpistole flare gun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebelpatrone</span> Smoke grenade

The Nebelpatrone or "fog cartridge" in English was a non-lethal smoke grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Nebelpatrone was designed to be fired from a Kampfpistole flare gun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sprengpatrone</span> Rifle grenade

The Sprengpatrone or "explosive cartridge" in English was a rifle grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during World War II. The Sprengpatrone was designed to be fired from a Kampfpistole flare gun.

<i>Kampfpistole</i> Flare gun

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

References

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