Pyrotechnic Pistol AN-M8
Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1942
Also known as: M8, AN-M8, Pistol, Pyrotechnic, M8
Overview
The AN-M8 is a US World War II break-action, single-shot 37mm pyrotechnic signal pistol adopted jointly by the Army and Navy (the 'AN' prefix). Notable for its stamped-aluminium wartime construction, it was designed for mass production by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company and other consumer-goods contractors that retooled for the war effort. Its barrel features a distinctive dual-feed system accepting both American annular-groove cartridges (muzzle-loaded) and British flanged cartridges (breech-loaded), and twin top studs that lock into an aircraft fuselage flare port for in-flight signalling. The M8 remained a standard US signal pistol for decades.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 970 g (34.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Action Type | Recoil Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Bakelite |
Calibers
- 37mm Flare · primary — also known as 37mm signal, M9A1, M74A1
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Features: Break Action, Single Shot, Dual Ammunition Feed, Aircraft Mount Compatible, Stamped Construction
Service history
Operators
- United States Army Air Forces · adopted 1942 · as AN-M8
- United States Navy · adopted 1942 · as AN-M8
- United States Air Force · as M8
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Production years: 1942-1945
Mass-produced by retooled consumer-goods firms during WWII; remained in US inventory reportedly into the early 2000s
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
Made by multiple wartime contractors including Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co. and McInerney Spring & Wire Co.; frames are variously marked 'M8' or 'AN-M8'. Barrel length and flare altitude are not documented in accessible sources. One source describes the trigger as double-action (likely self-cocking pull); catalogued here as single-action break-action.
Background
The AN-M8 was engineered so the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company could build it from stamped sheet metal like a vacuum cleaner rather than from machined parts, a wartime cost-and-speed measure. Mounted in a bomber or transport's flare port, crews fired colored stars to signal wounded aboard, landing-gear failure, or a position during a water ditching.