M8 Flaregun: Difference between revisions
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The M8 flare gun (pyrotechnic pistol AN-M8) is a U.S. single-shot, break-open 37mm signal pistol used to launch pyrotechnic signals such as flares and smoke. It was designed for use both handheld and in an aircraft mount for air-to-ground and air-to-air signaling. The M8 is best known for its World War II and later Cold War service as a compact signaling device rather than a combat weapon. | |||
= | ==HISTORY== | ||
The pyrotechnic pistol AN-M8 was standardized during World War II as a 37mm signaling pistol for U.S. forces, especially for aircraft crews who needed a reliable means of launching visual signals. Technical manuals describe it as a single-shot, double-action, breech-loading pistol intended to project aircraft signals for communication with troops on the ground, other aircraft, and to mark positions. | |||
In the Vietnam era, flare pistols remained useful for short-range signaling in complex terrain and fast-moving operations, including marking locations, coordinating movements, and providing immediate visual cues when radios were unreliable or silence was desired. The AN-M8’s ability to fire a variety of pyrotechnic signals made it a practical tool for aircrew, observers, and ground units for coordination, illumination, and emergency signaling. | |||
===Sources=== | |||
* [https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30029999 Imperial War Museums – Pistol, Pyrotechnic M8 (collection entry)] | |||
* [https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/flare-pistol-type-an-m8/nasm_A19601448000 Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Flare Pistol, Type AN-M8 (collection entry)] | |||
* [https://archive.org/download/TM9-1290/TM9-1290.pdf U.S. War Department – TM 9-1290 ''Pyrotechnic Projectors, All Types'' (includes Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8)] | |||
* [https://www.liberatedmanuals.com/TM-9-1095-201-15.pdf U.S. Army – TM 9-1095-201-15 (operator/maintenance manual covering Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8)] | |||
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Latest revision as of 05:44, 25 February 2026
| Factions | Weapon | Icon | Classes | Ammo | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projectile Hit | Burn Over Time | |||||
 US |
 M8 Flaregun |
 |
 Sniper |
1 / 2 | 40 | 45 |
| Designation | Weapon Type | Fire Modes | Fire Rate | Muzzle Velocity | Projectile weight | Weight | Reload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [[]] | Flare gun | Single Shot | RPM | 52 m/s | 100 g (0.2205 lbs) | 1 kg (2.205 lbs) | 2.733 Seconds |
| Full name | Caliber | Place of Origin | Date | Manufacturer | Barrel Length | Total Length | Weapon Script Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FN | Flare Round | USA | 1942 | ARM | in ( mm) | in ( mm) | weapon_m8 |
The M8 flare gun (pyrotechnic pistol AN-M8) is a U.S. single-shot, break-open 37mm signal pistol used to launch pyrotechnic signals such as flares and smoke. It was designed for use both handheld and in an aircraft mount for air-to-ground and air-to-air signaling. The M8 is best known for its World War II and later Cold War service as a compact signaling device rather than a combat weapon.
HISTORY
The pyrotechnic pistol AN-M8 was standardized during World War II as a 37mm signaling pistol for U.S. forces, especially for aircraft crews who needed a reliable means of launching visual signals. Technical manuals describe it as a single-shot, double-action, breech-loading pistol intended to project aircraft signals for communication with troops on the ground, other aircraft, and to mark positions.
In the Vietnam era, flare pistols remained useful for short-range signaling in complex terrain and fast-moving operations, including marking locations, coordinating movements, and providing immediate visual cues when radios were unreliable or silence was desired. The AN-M8’s ability to fire a variety of pyrotechnic signals made it a practical tool for aircrew, observers, and ground units for coordination, illumination, and emergency signaling.
Sources
- Imperial War Museums – Pistol, Pyrotechnic M8 (collection entry)
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Flare Pistol, Type AN-M8 (collection entry)
- U.S. War Department – TM 9-1290 Pyrotechnic Projectors, All Types (includes Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8)
- U.S. Army – TM 9-1095-201-15 (operator/maintenance manual covering Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8)