WWI Kommandantur flare gun

[BrunoH]

Hi,

Recently, I've found a nice German WWI Kommandantur flare gun in nice conditions but I've got a 'stupid' question about it.
I'm not an expert on the WWI area and my question is regarding the finish of this gun.
It looks that it has been painted with a green (I would say 'Feldgrau' ) colour. Is there any chance it's the original finish or an other way of asking the question is: What ware the original finish of such flare gun (tan metal - (not sure of the right English translation)) ?
By the way, the metal, under the painting skin, looks nice and doesn't show any rust attack...

Thanks in advance for your help

Best regards

Right side:



Left side and opened:



Serial Id and the 'Kdtur' marking on the grip:



Markings on the barrel (classical "I" and the crown and the "D"):

[BrunoH]

Hi all,
Nobody has got any idea or opinion ?

[SIGNALMAN]

Hello, that is a nice example of a K Lille. They really can be quite crude looking.

I do not think it is original finish. Most examples I run across have a mix of dark patina and in the white.

That said, I have run across all types of finishes on these including black and green paint which I believe was added sometime after production.

[BrunoH]

Hi Signalman,

Thanks for your comment & description.

Have a good day.

Best regards

Bruno

[dwmmg08]

Painted to keep from rusting?

It looks like it probably got painted by some Soldat to me, to keep it from rusting. I've seen those usually with no finish at all, but rust.

[BrunoH]

Thanks for your input. You know now what to do if you want to avoid rust...

Regards

[Highlander2504]

I apologise for bringing up such an old thread but I found it whilst searching for the identity of a similar flare gun I have in my possession.

Mine looks identical to this one and although not in as good condition, the barrel and metal parts have been painted in the same green colour as this one.

I would be interested in hearing its history if you know it (and are still here)

Stuart

[BrunoH]

Hi Stuart,
Unfortunately, no 'nice' history or interesting details about it. Mine has just been found in a non militaria collector house. So no idea about if it was a post WWI fashion to paint them (for some steel protection purposes) or done on the field...
Sorry for not being able to give us any clue
Best regards

[Highlander2504]

The one I have was brought back to Scotland after WW2 by my grandfather who served in the British Army 49th Infantry Division (Polar Bears)

I know he "acquired" it in France during WW2 with the paint already on it but as he has sadly passed away have no further information on it.

[Craig W.C. Brown]

Recommend you bring this up to the folks on the new Flaregun Forum.
IMO the paint looks contemporary....

[Highlander2504]

I have already done so, its in the collection section.

I've found a few pics of these now and they all seem to sport signs of the green paint, including the one pictured on the Flare Gun Forum, although only small signs of it remain.

This one also shows small signs of blackish/green paint having been on it at some point

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/91...ndantur-lille/