East German Flare??

[Pauly]

Hello guys, I bought a few of these flares this past weekend. The are marked by a sticker with "Made in East Germany" but they are a different type then the other ones I have seen or found on this forum. The only other marking is what looks to be a lot number. Are these East German or from somewhere else?

[iannima]

I am afraid I have no idea, but I can tell you that the marking cannot be original: the East German state described itself as the GDR (=DDR) and West Germany as the GFR (=BRD). Items that are marked in English INVARIABLY are marked "Made in GDR" and NEVER "made in East Germany" which is a western designation. Having said this, many items were stamped with "made in East Germany" (or "made in Germany") when first imported in the USA.

[Pauly]

Matteo, almost every East German item imported to the US has some type of Made in East Germany, GDR, Etc mark. This was done to staisfy US import regulations. Most of them easily come off. With that being said there is just the other number combination stamp. I am stumped too. Thanks

[torstenbel]

Hello guys, I bought a few of these flares this past weekend. The are marked by a sticker with "Made in East Germany" but they are a different type then the other ones I have seen or found on this forum. The only other marking is what looks to be a lot number. Are these East German or from somewhere else?

[/IMG]

It's been a very long time since last saw or used NVA flares, but they certainly look similar to what I remember from my time in the army. Cheers, Torsten.

[torstenbel]

I am afraid I have no idea, but I can tell you that the marking cannot be original: the East German state described itself as the GDR (=DDR) and West Germany as the GFR (=BRD). Items that are marked in English INVARIABLY are marked "Made in GDR" and NEVER "made in East Germany" which is a western designation. Having said this, many items were stamped with "made in East Germany" (or "made in Germany") when first imported in the USA.

Hi Matteo, almost right .. the BRD is FRG - Federal Republic of Germany. Cheers, Torsten.

[uscob]

I also would say that's an export Marking. Looks like a nice " Rotfeuer" a red flare with Magnesium and I think Strontium. I don't know if its the same term in english. The only way to delete the fire, is to cover it with sand. I would be very carefull with 20 yr. old eastern block "fireworks".
Nico
BTW: they came in a sealed steel container of 12 ea.

[Viktor]

Genossen,
I have one of these, used (as I HET! even one time like things that go bang, being peace loving and purely defensive in nature).

It has a White body, the raised markings on the screw cap show the type of illumination Complex contained, likely a Parachute Flare.

I would agree, only keep Pyro's while in date, even Progressive illumination Complexes could have a loss of Combat Readiness/Political Perception by now.

[Dag]

I am afraid I have no idea, but I can tell you that the marking cannot be original: the East German state described itself as the GDR (=DDR) and West Germany as the GFR (=BRD). Items that are marked in English INVARIABLY are marked "Made in GDR" and NEVER "made in East Germany" which is a western designation. Having said this, many items were stamped with "made in East Germany" (or "made in Germany") when first imported in the USA.

Of course this marking can be, and is, original. Especially from early 1990 a lot of goods destined for export was marked as 'Made in East Germany' .

For the flares themselves: They must not necessarily be of military use. Such flares can be found on any ships to be used as distress signals, for example.

Dag