Name/Title
Flare Pistol, Type AN-M8Entry/Object ID
2023.1.19Description
37mm Flare gun, M8 made by Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company. of Detroit, Michigan
United States Army Air Forces Type AN-M8 Flare pistol; stamped aluminum frame; black Bakelite (plastic) pistol grip; steel hinged 37mm breech loading barrel; thumb barrel release and gun cock handle on top. Stamped EVCC indicating Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company manufacture.
This is a flare pistol, mainly used during and after WW2 in aircraft. Although intended to be mounted in the M1 aircraft mount, this flare pistol can be used as a conventional flare pistol. The barrel hinges down to allow removing a spent cartridge or loading a cartridge
from the breech end of the barrel. But a grooved type cartridge can be loaded from the muzzle end of the barrel.
Designed during WW2 to be manufactured by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co. and so uses metal stamping instead of machined parts. The frame is cast aluminum.
The two levers on the top of the barrel give it a very unique look. The top hook shaped lever when pulled back allows the pistol to be installed or removed from the M1 mount in an aircraft.Firearm Type
Flare GunCataloged By
Chris CausleyFirearm Detail
Manufacturer
Eureka Vacuum Cleaner CompanyPlace Made
* Untyped Place Made
Detroit, United StatesState/Province
MichiganCountry
Wayne CountyDate Made
circa 1942 - circa 1945Time Period
World War TwoLegal Status
Curio and RelicInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Receiver MarkingLocation
Right sideTranscription
E / V / CC / V / U.S. PROPERTY / PISTOL PYROTECHNIC M-8"Location
Location
* Untyped Location
Project CartCategory
Temporary
