These Webley signal pistols were designed to be mounted onto a bracket fixed to the fuselage of aircraft by means of a bracket / bar on the butt of the pistol. The pistols fired coloured flares, either when in distress or for identification purposes. An aircraft fired on would fire the "colours of the day" a combination of two or more colours, changed daily - to prove that they were friendly. There is some evidence that RAF bomber crews were told the German colours of the day, information presumably obtained via the codebreakers at Bletchley Park. It has a black painted steel body which has even aged patina. Its black chequered panel vulcanite grips are undamaged. It has a 4” barrel and measures 7 ¾” overall. The butt has the correct bracket / bar. The pistol is serial number 43125. The action is stamped No.4 Mk1*. Deactivated to UK/EU specification in 2018, the pistol breaks open as it should, and it cocks and dry fires. The price includes UK deactivation certificate and UK delivery. D 1471.