Walther AC43 Flare Gun in Zinc

German WWII > Field Gear & Misc. > Field Gear >

This is a later wartime variation Walther flare pistol. This is considered, "Last Ditch" production substituting zinc for the earlier, and lighter duraluminum. The finish is rated at about 98% overall, but most of this wear is mild surface wear to the high areas. The pistol is fully functional. Sufficient deliveries of raw materials first becomes a problem at Waffenfabrik Walther, where they return to manufacture steel frames and barrels in 1943 when Duralumin is no longer available, somewhere between serial numbers 422a and 2266a. In addition, they also manufacture frames and barrels in zinc from 1943. The last change to the flare gun comes mid to late in 1943 when the grip plates are again manufactured in wood. This was probably a result of raw material for Bakelite production being scarce. The new version made of wood is simplified, with horizontal stripes unlike the early edition with checkering. These grip plates also occur on some of the zinc version flare guns from 1943, so the access to Bakelite must have been on and off that year. Waffenfabrik Walther first manufactures flare guns for the Wehrmacht in 1943 in Duralumin, then steel and finally in zinc! So I know this is NOT stamped "AC43" but it is heavily inspection stamped.