U.S. 1862 Army Coston Flare Gun

Lot description

U.S. Model 1862 Percussion Signal Gun, marked at the butt "U.S. Army Signal Pistol, 1862, A.J.M" (Major Albert J. Meyer, U.S N., first chief U.S. Signal Corps, actual inspector was  1st Lieut. Samuel Cushing), the left butt frame under the grip marked at one end marked with serial number "82" at the other end "2", both grips stamped at the underside "82", this signal gun employed a Coston flare held in the barrel by the lever at the underside of the barrel, the flare was activated by firing the percussion cap and holding the gun aloft, the flare remained in the barrel and emitted a colored light, brass, walnut grips, the hammer ant trigger operate as designed, for shipping 7.25" x 4.75" x 1", 1.15lbs   (295)    *Provenance: Collection of Billy Wayne Dickey, USN, (Texas, 1936-2022)