Flare gun
Encyclopedia
A flare gun is a firearm
that launches flares
. It is typically used for signalling, as distress signal
ling, at sea or from the ground to aircraft
. It is not designed to function as a weapon
.
(1847–1910), an American naval officer who developed and popularized a single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed pistol that fired flare
s (Very flares). They have a single action trigger mechanism, hammer action, center fire pin. Modern varieties are frequently made out of brightly-colored, durable plastic
.
The older type of Very pistol, typical of the type used in the Second World War
, are of one inch bore. Newer models fire smaller 12-gauge
flares. In countries where possession of firearms is strictly controlled, such as the United Kingdom
, the use of Very pistols as emergency equipment on boats is less common than, for example, the United States
. In such locations, distress flares are fired from single-shot tube devices which are then disposed of after use. These devices are fired by twisting or striking a pad on one end, but the contents are otherwise similar to a round from a flare gun, although the flares themselves are much larger and can burn brighter for longer.
Flare guns may be used whenever someone needs to send a distress signal
. The flares must be shot directly above, making the signal visible for a longer period of time and revealing the position of whoever is in need of help.
While not intended as a weapon, flare guns have been used as such in some situations. In 1942, at Pembrey Airfield
in Wales, a German pilot mistakenly landed at the field. The duty pilot, Sgt. Jeffreys, did not have a conventional weapon; he grabbed a Very pistol and used that to capture the German pilot, Oberleutnant
Arnim Faber.
In World War II
, Germany manufactured grenades designed to be fired from adapted flare guns known as the Kampfpistole, or Sturmpistole
in its final form. The weapon was designed to function as an anti tank weapon but failed to perform to expectations due to the minuscule amount of TNT carried in the hollow charge projectiles.
Firearm (tool)
A firearm can be used primarily as a tool, instead of as a weapon, to project either single or multiple objects at high velocity through a controlled explosion. The firing is achieved by the gases produced through rapid, confined burning of a propellant. This process of rapid burning is technically...
that launches flares
Flare (pyrotechnic)
A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for signalling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications...
. It is typically used for signalling, as distress signal
Distress signal
A distress signal is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help. Distress signals take the form of or are commonly made by using radio signals, displaying a visually detected item or illumination, or making an audible sound, from a distance....
ling, at sea or from the ground to aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. It is not designed to function as a weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
.
Types
The most common type of flare gun is a Very (sometimes spelled Verey) which was named after Edward Wilson VeryEdward Wilson Very
Edward Wilson Very was an American naval officer who developed and popularized a single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed flare gun that fired flares that bear his name .Records indicate that Edward W...
(1847–1910), an American naval officer who developed and popularized a single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed pistol that fired flare
Flare (pyrotechnic)
A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for signalling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications...
s (Very flares). They have a single action trigger mechanism, hammer action, center fire pin. Modern varieties are frequently made out of brightly-colored, durable plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
.
The older type of Very pistol, typical of the type used in the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, are of one inch bore. Newer models fire smaller 12-gauge
Gauge (bore diameter)
The gauge of a firearm is a unit of measurement used to express the diameter of the barrel. Gauge is determined from the weight of a solid sphere of lead that will fit the bore of the firearm, and is expressed as the multiplicative inverse of the sphere's weight as a fraction of a pound . Thus...
flares. In countries where possession of firearms is strictly controlled, such as the United Kingdom
Gun politics in the United Kingdom
Gun politics in the United Kingdom generally places its main considerations on how best to ensure public safety and how deaths involving firearms can most effectively be prevented. The United Kingdom has one of the lowest rates of gun homicides in the world, and did so even before strict gun...
, the use of Very pistols as emergency equipment on boats is less common than, for example, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In such locations, distress flares are fired from single-shot tube devices which are then disposed of after use. These devices are fired by twisting or striking a pad on one end, but the contents are otherwise similar to a round from a flare gun, although the flares themselves are much larger and can burn brighter for longer.
Flare guns may be used whenever someone needs to send a distress signal
Distress signal
A distress signal is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help. Distress signals take the form of or are commonly made by using radio signals, displaying a visually detected item or illumination, or making an audible sound, from a distance....
. The flares must be shot directly above, making the signal visible for a longer period of time and revealing the position of whoever is in need of help.
Use as weapons
Pembrey Airport
-Former operators:Other airlines that have operated at Pembrey:*Air Wales*Air Independence*Air Winton...
in Wales, a German pilot mistakenly landed at the field. The duty pilot, Sgt. Jeffreys, did not have a conventional weapon; he grabbed a Very pistol and used that to capture the German pilot, Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant
Oberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
Arnim Faber.
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Germany manufactured grenades designed to be fired from adapted flare guns known as the Kampfpistole, or Sturmpistole
Sturmpistole
The Sturmpistole was an attempt by Nazi Germany during World War II to create an anti-tank weapon which can be used by any infantryman. It consisted of a modified flare gun which would fire a variety of grenades, including a 0.25 ounce shaped charge warhead...
in its final form. The weapon was designed to function as an anti tank weapon but failed to perform to expectations due to the minuscule amount of TNT carried in the hollow charge projectiles.