KM Flare gun

[Dale]

Here is a fantastic KM piece that i was able to recently add to my collection. But aside from being KM and an early piece, i have not been able to find much out about these. I have seen a variation of SS KM flaregun but none like this one. With any luck someone can shed a little light on these for me

Thanks, Dale

[Dale]

markings

[Bill Grist]

Nice

markings

Very nice Walther Stainless steel KM Double barrel Flare Gun> It is called the Walther Model SLD (Signal u. Leucht Doppel), they also came in a single BBl. variation as well Model SL ( Signal U. Leucht) ................BILL

[Dale]

Very nice Walther Stainless steel KM Double barrel Flare Gun> It is called the Walther Model SLD (Signal u. Leucht Doppel), they also came in a single BBl. variation as well Model SL ( Signal U. Leucht) ................BILL

Thanks for the speedy reply Bill. I was just reading that the SS flare guns were
U-boat specific. I did not purchase this under that assumption however it would be a great twist. Thoughts?

[Bill Grist]

Km

Thanks for the speedy reply Bill. I was just reading that the SS flare guns were
U-boat specific. I did not purchase this under that assumption however it would be a great twist. Thoughts?

I would think that they would be used on any type KM ship...BILL

[SIGNALMAN]

Hello, your flaregun is a rare Stainless Steel SLD Model. There were ~ 4000+ of this model produced. The single barrel version of this gun is a little scarcer, with only ~ 3600 produced. Since there is a serial # 60 known of both models, they each have their own serial number series.

Although they were produced for the U-Boats, examples are known to have come off other ships. Like all firearms during war, they went where they were needed !

There is also an anodized aluminum version of the double barrel with the maker code eeu in a rectangle. Over 6000 of these were produced in 1943 and 44.

Also another aluminum version by Heym, only ~ 200 made for WWII, but this producer also made this version after the war ! They are very scarce in the USA, and even Germany, as Most of the postwar models were destroyed instead of being sold surplus.

[Shenkursk]

Here is one that has had me stumped for a while. When I picked it up I thought it would be a quick and easy research trip through Herr Kern's reference... but that turned out not to be the case! If you guys have any ideas, I would sure appreciate a clue on this one. It is clearly KM marked. Oddly enough, it came with another Walther stainless SLD model as discussed above!

[Kris]

Jeff,

This look like a Sander Leinenpistole to me.
A pistol to shoot lines over from one ship to another etc.
But other people will be able to tell you more about this.

Nice one

[Shenkursk]

Thanks Kris!

This one comes from near you - it was part of Roger DeBruyne's collection in Dadizele. The grease in the photo is some of his 'super gloop' preservative. Fortunately, it comes off with a little soap and hot water.

Thanks for the information.

[Kris]

Thanks for the info Jeff

[SIGNALMAN]

It is indeed a Sander Leinenpistole. which is a line throwing gun. There are a number of variations of this model known, Yours is Aluminum with steel barrel, I am looking for the Brass barrel and/or frame versions. I will pay top dollar for variations I can use ! Good Collecting, signalman

[jwburchell]

KM Flare Gun: Walther SLD 1944 Model

Here are pictures of mine - similar to Dale's, but the later anodized aluminum, double-barrel model - as referenced by Signalman above.

John

[jwburchell]

...

[jwburchell]

Maker mark:

[BrunoH]

Hi,

Thanks for these nice pictures..

No more comment. Everything has been written.