{"product_id":"original-u-s-pre-wwii-lake-erie-chemical-co-mark-iv-very-signal-flare-pistol-serial-1496","title":"Original U.S. Pre-WWII Lake Erie Chemical Co. Mark IV \"Very\" Signal Flare Pistol - Serial 1496","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Lake Erie Chemical Co. Mark IV flare pistol, with a 4 inch barrel. It is the typical \"Very\" design used during WWI, but produced during the 1930s. Made of nickel plated cast brass with wooden grip scales, it really is quite an attractive model compared to many issued later during WWII. It is fully functional. breaking open correctly when the breech lock is opened, and still dry fires correctly. The \"spur trigger\" gives it quite elegant lines, similar to many WWI German designs.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel is marked on the underside with serial number 1486, and the side is marked with the manufacturer information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLAKE ERIE CHEMICAL COMPANY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCLEVELAND OHIO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe removed the grips, and the frame is marked with shortened serial number 86. There are also U.S. Army Ordnance Dept. \"\u003cstrong\u003eFlaming\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBomb\u003c\/strong\u003e\" marks on the breech face of the frame, and on the end of the barrel by the latch. We believe this means it was Arsenal enlarged from the original 25mm to the more standard 26.5mm used in WWII later.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is truly a wonderful example and comes ready to be displayed!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe use of the term \"Very Pistol\" comes from Edward Wilson Very, the U.S. Navy Officer who developed and patented the \"Very Light\" flare cartridge. He then helped popularize\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethe single-shot breech-loading snub-nosed pistol design that is still in use today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40169305702469,"sku":"ONSV22WKC285","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV22WKC285__01.jpg?v=1656703105","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-pre-wwii-lake-erie-chemical-co-mark-iv-very-signal-flare-pistol-serial-1496","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}