SOLD - Extremely Scarce Walther Kriegsmarine U-Boat Signal Flare Pistol

Description

3/26/25 - Presenting an exceedingly rare, double‐barrel, stainless steel Walther SLD (signal flare pistol), originally issued to a German Kriegsmarine U‑Boat during WW2. It is marked on the right side of the frame with the “AC” maker’s code, the year of manufacture "1940," the serial number “1976.” and an "Eagle M III/3" Kriegsmarine inspection proof. Manufactured from stainless steel (INOX Rostfrei), this pistol was built to accept 27mm flares and features a pair of 9″ barrels, and a 4″ walnut forend designed to offer a secure grip during firing. Adopted by the Kriegsmarine in 1936 and produced until the end of World War II, just over 4,000 units were made, though the vast majority of these examples were aluminum, making surviving stainless examples (estimated at fewer than 100 today) especially scarce, as many were lost with their U‑Boats. The frame‐mounted safety lever distinctly shows “Feuer” (fire) when up and “Sicher” (safe) when down. A three‐way barrel selector, marked “l” (left), “Doppel/Schuss” (double shot), and “r” (right), operates crisply. The mechanical functions, including loaded chamber indicators and firing pins perform well. There are three replacement pins in the frame, with the pin for the breech lock allowing for very slight play in the release lever, though it still locks up correctly. The stainless steel frame and barrels are in excellent overall condition, with very minor surface scratches and light handling marks throughout, as is usually the case with these stainless examples. Bores are stone mint. The checkered walnut grips are mostly excellent as well, though there is some material missing from the bottom of the right panel, and some light handling marks here and there. The walnut forend is also in excellent condition, though there are some minor dings and handling marks, as well as a very small chip. No FFL is required.