Original item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful 1939-dated example of the classic German Wehrmacht LP-34 signal flare pistol, which was designed in 1934. Unlike most of our offerings, it comes complete with an original cleaning rod and leather holster, which is dated 1941. The Leuchtpistole 34 (Luminous pistol 34) has an aluminum alloy frame and barrel with steel moving components, uses 26.5 mm flares, and was finished in black anodized aluminum. Steel components were blued. It superseded the previous LP28, which was made of all steel, as part of a continuing evolution of Walther-designed flare pistols.
The change to the “duralumin” reduced the weight of the pistol by 0.730 kg, and also partially prevents internal corrosion due to gun powder residue. The overall machine work of the components was improved over the LP28, and the wood grips were replaced by checkered bakelite. Most importantly, the trigger guard was made significantly larger, so that the pistol could be used easily even with a gloved hand.
This example bears original German pre-war Zahlencode (Numeric code) S/237, which stands for Berliner-Lübecker Maschinenfabriken Bernhard Berghaus of Lübeck, a German weapons manufacturer. During World War II it manufactured many firearms, including the Karabiner 98k, the GEW 43, Kar 43, and various parts for the MG 34 and 42. Below this is it stamped with the manufacture date of 1939, and it has serial number 4224 above the trigger guard. It is nicely Waffenamt marked on the right side of the frame and barrel, with inspector number 214, correct for Berghaus.
Completely Original German WII manufacture in very good complete condition with early war flat-sided black bakelite checkered grip panels with rounded edges. The pistol is very clean, and still has almost all of the original anodized finish on the aluminum components. Also, the color has not faded to green or brown, as it would if subjected to a lot of wear. The steel components still have their original heavy blued finish. It still has the original screw in lanyard ring, which were often lost. The threaded hole allowed the pistol could be mounted to a device that allowed remote firing from a nearby tree or fence, sometimes with a trip wire. The pistol is fully functional, with no mechanical deficiencies to note.
The included holster is the standard heavy soft shell leather holster used throughout the war, and looks to be either dark brown, or a faded black color. It is in very good service used condition, and looks to have seen long use during the war, which has worn the finish. The securing strap and “cup” for the cleaning rod have been removed on this example, both by removing the stitching and cutting the leather on the bottom. It is maker marked under the flap with:
LEDERWARENWERK
CURT VOGEL
COTTBUS
1937
There are no Waffenamt inspection markings that we can see, but the holster may predate the use of those. The holster still has both belt loops as well as the D-rings on the back for the shoulder strap, and actually still has a shoulder strap! It is a bit worn and delicate, but it has lovely pebbled aluminum buckles and looks great.
A fantastic complete set, ready to add to your collection and display!