Original French WWI Model 1917 Flare Signal Pistol Japanese Marines It is possibly the oldest

It is possibly the oldest type of portable firearm

Both date to the to the early 1800's

The liner is still attached to the helmet fortunately

and shipped on April 02

with the original chipped paint job still visible under the refinish

Original French WWI Model 1917 Flare Signal Pistol Japanese Marines It is possibly the oldestOriginal Item: Only One Available. Heavy Brass French signal pistol from the First World War. It is chambered for French 25 mm flare cartridges. It does not accept the 26. 5 mm cartridges currently available nor commercial 1 inch cartridges. The bore diameter is 26. 9 millimeters. This is one of several different French signal pistols with the M1917 model designation; this version has a 4 inch barrel. There is also a letter V over a small arc on the