Molins No.2 Mk.5 Signal Pistol
Molins Machine Company Ltd. · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1940
Also known as: Molins No.2 Mk.V, 1 inch signal pistol, Very pistol, tank signal pistol
Overview
The Molins No.2 Mk.5 is a British WWII 1-inch (26.5mm) break-action single-shot signal pistol that fires Very pyrotechnic flare cartridges for illumination and distress signalling. It follows the pattern of the long-barrelled No.1 Mk.5 but substitutes a short barrel fitted with a latching stud so the pistol could be locked into a through-armour firing port on British armoured fighting vehicles, letting tank crews fire signal flares without exposing themselves. As a flare launcher it lobs a burning signal star rather than a ballistic projectile, so muzzle velocity is low and unspecified.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 794 g (28.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 185 mm (7.28") |
| Barrel Length | 89 mm (3.50") |
| Action Type | Break Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Bakelite |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 1 inch Very signal cartridge (26.5mm) · primary — also known as 1 inch flare, Very light, 26.5mm signal
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Break Action
- Features: Break Action, Single Shot, Tip Down Barrel, Lanyard Ring, Afv Mounting Stud, Signal Flare Launcher
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1940 · as No.2 Mk.5
- Royal Air Force
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1940-1945
Wartime production for British armoured fighting vehicle and aircrew signalling; built under the Molins design by several contractors.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The short barrel and mounting stud distinguish the No.2 pattern (AFV/tanker issue) from the long belled-muzzle No.1 pattern. Fitted with bakelite grips, a lanyard ring, and a tip-down break barrel with a strong latch. Some examples were assembled by contractors such as I.L. Berridge & Co of Leicester under the Molins design.
Background
Signal pistols of this type are universally nicknamed Very pistols after US Navy ordnance officer Lt. Edward Wilson Very, who patented his snub-nosed single-shot flare pistol in 1877 and gave the burning signal stars their name, Very lights. The Molins short-barrelled No.2 let a buttoned-up tank crew signal through the vehicle's armour.