Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a 37mm parachute flare signal pistol, a Sedgley Flare Signal Pistol, Mark-IV. As part of consolidated wartime efforts, lifeboats for all sea going Merchant Marine vessels were to have a standard complement of emergency provisions overseen by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). They in turn had direct coordination with the US Navy.

Sedgley made two signals pistols for the US Navy: for the Bureau of Ships they supplied the 10-gage Mark-V, and for the Merchant Marine, the 37mm Mark-IV. as approved by the USCG. Each service had a differing standard flare, the BuShips was 10-gage and for Merchant Marine the 37mm parachute type.

The gun is clearly stamped PAT 8-22-32 on left side of the frame. On the left side of the barrel it reads:

R.F. SEDGLEY INC
SEDGLEY SIGNAL PISTOL
MARK IV

When the breech is opened, the serial number 14834 can be seen on the barrel and frame. It is also marked with PHILA. PA. U.S.A. as well as the Sedgley "Circled S" logo, and wartime date 3 - 29 - 44. The grips are marked [U]S[N], but the U and the S have been scraped away as was common when the government released them from military stores.

Pistol is functional and retains its complete firing pin, though the action is a bit stiff. The barrel and breech were once bright finished steel, but then painted with black paint, like the pistol, probably to reduce reflection but leave the pistol easy to find. Overall excellent condition, a fine example worthy of an WWII collection!

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).