Signal pistol

A signal pistol (also light pistol , in Switzerland rocket pistol ) is a mostly single- shot firearm with which signal cartridges can be fired in the form of differently acting light cartridges or acoustically acting signal cartridges. There are single and double barrel versions of these pistols, and the 4 caliber is common worldwide .

Uses

Double-barrel flare pilot pistol, built in 1941, caliber 4

The signal pistol is used in both the military and civil sectors.

In the distress - or air rescue a red light signal is used. Signal pistols should be fired as vertically upwards as possible in order to achieve signals that can be seen as far as possible.
The use of signal pistols as starting pistols is permitted in regattas if you have a shooting permit (see information sheet for the Hamburg Police).
In the military, signal pistols are mostly used for battlefield lighting in addition to signaling locations . In the past, they were also used to give recognition signals for friend-foe recognition .

Signal pistols are considered to be firearms under gun law in Germany , but are not intended to be used for attack or defense. However, signal pistols can cause serious injuries if they are hit.

Use of ammunition

Firing a flare pistol

The cartridge is ignited via a primer. At a height of approx. 100 m, the flare burns down and either illuminates the apron (military battlefield) or emits the intended light or acoustic signal.

Signal cartridges are used in the color codes green, red, white, yellow, violet as single-star or multi-star signals with and without a parachute. These include, in detail, smoke line orange DM22, yellow DM36, yellow parachute DM516, signal message DM19, light measurement DM17, sound measurement DM27, single star green DM11B1, single star red DM13B1, single star white DM15B1, multiple star green DM21A1B1, multiple star red DM23A1B1, multiple star white DM25A1B1, white flight detection DM33, smoke and light, air raid alarm DM37, smoke line violet DM24 and light and sound ABC alarm DM47. If signal ammunition is fired at an angle of 90 degrees, the height of the ammunition is up to 300 m, depending on the type of ammunition.

Military flares have different meanings to signal certain events to your own troops:

green for own troops - Bundeswehr, fire request, e.g. B. Barrage - Federal Army;
red for enemy detection and enemy attack;
white for own troops - armed forces, with and without parachute for battlefield lighting - armed forces;
yellow with parachute for battlefield lighting - Federal Army;
Star white-red-white with a shrill whistle for NBC alarm - Bundeswehr, NBC signal cartridge 77 for NBC alarm - Bundesheer;
Purple smoke streak cartridge for tank warning - German Army.

The orange smoke body is used to identify a helicopter landing pad or dropping point.

In the civil and maritime sectors:

green - everything is fine
red - emergency, danger, help needed
white and yellow - general warning sign or lighting at night

With the so-called parachute flare cartridges, a flare is shot into the sky, which slowly slides to the ground on a parachute. There are different types of cartridges with different colors and different sets of torches (1 to 4 sets of lights). In addition, cartridges with lightning bolt sets are available, which contain a very loud bang as an effect. With their help, a distance measurement can be performed by stopping the runtime of the bang after the flash. In the civil sector, these are also used to deter birds at airfields and to ward off bears in arctic areas.

Signal pistols for civilians in Germany

Signal pistols count as firearms in Germany and are subject to the Weapons Act. A gun license is required for purchase and possession, and a gun license for using the signal pistol . Signal pistols are mostly approved as distress signal pistols for sport or professional boaters in Germany .