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Leuchtpistole
Notes on identification:
- Kampfpistole is identified by the letter Z stamped into the left side of the barrel. Because the bore is often not visible, the Z is considered the primary means of identification.
- Sturmpistole is identified by addition of the shoulder stock and the iron sights. Either of the two may come without the other, in which case it is to be described as a Leuchtpistole/Kampfpistole with attachments.
In any other cases, the weapon should be identified as a Leuchtpistole.
The Leuchtpistole and its variants have appeared in the following films, television series, anime, and video games used by the following actors:
Leuchtpistole
The Leuchtpistole ('flare pistol') was a smooth bore flare gun introduced to the Reichswehr in 1928. Naturally it was also used by the German Armed Forces in WW2 (Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS, Kriegsmarine). Initially designed for use with illumination and signal ammunition, the German army issued an order to develop high explosive ammo for their 26.65mm flare guns, which was introduced in 1942 (such as the Wurfgranatpatrone 326 LP grenade round or the Wurfkörper 361 LP grenade projector).
There are multiple models of flare guns under this design. The earliest designs are known as Model Heer 26 (or simply Model 26; Heer stands for Army, while 26 indicates the year of design, 1926), and are somewhat similar to the WWI-era Hebel flare pistol. They are noted by their much longer 232 mm barrel, giving a total length of 324 mm. The barrel length ended up making them rather cumbersome to use, so many examples had their barrels "amputated" and later production versions had a shorter 155 mm barrel, giving a total length of 247 mm. Surviving long-barreled versions are relatively rare. Short versions can be distinguished from later variants by their smaller trigger guard, though mystery hybrid models with later versions are known to exist.
The second model to appear is Model Heer 34 (or simply Model 34). The original's steel material was replaced with the lighter duralumin (an aluminum alloy), the walnut grip on the Model Heer 26 was replaced by Bakelite brown or black colored wooden grips, and the trigger guard is expanded to make it easier to use with a glove.
The third model appearing in 1940 after WWII begins is known simply as Model Heer. This version is different in some details, such as a different and thinner hammer and the presence of a load indicator. This model was manufactured from 1940 to 1943, when its material duralumin was replaced with zinc to reduce manufacturing costs, creating Model Zink.
Specifications
- Country: Germany
- Manufacturer: Walther (primary), Erma, Bernard Berhauss
- Calibre: 26.65mm
- Date of Manufacture: from 1928 onwards
- Barrel Length: 155 mm (smoothbore)
The Leuchtpistole and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Film
Television
| Show Title | Actor | Character | Note / Episode | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czterej pancerni i pies | German officer | 1980 | ||
| Archiv des Todes | German officer | "Die Spur geht verloren" | 1980 |
Anime
| Title | Character | Note | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patlabor: The Movie | Noa Izumi | Incorrectly referred to as a percussion revolver | 1989 |
| Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade | Police officer | 1998 | |
| Najica Blitz Tactics | Najica | 2001 | |
| Najica Blitz Tactics | Lila | 2001 | |
| Noir | Mireille | 2001 | |
| Trinity Blood | Leon | 2005 | |
| Brave Witches | Waltrud Krupinski | Fictional grenade launcher based on the Leuchtpistole 34, mounted to StG 44 | 2016-2017 |
| Gundula Rall |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time Crisis 3 | 2003 | |||
| Time Crisis IV | 2006 | |||
| Forgotten Hope 2 | "Leuchtpistole 34" | 2007 | ||
| Sniper Elite 4 | Flare Gun | 2017 | ||
| Battlefield V | Flare Gun | 2018 |
Leuchtpistole Z / Kampfpistole
To increase the range of Leuchtpistole, the Leuchtpistole Z (referring to 'Züge', meaning 'grooves' in German), also known as the Kampfpistole ('battle pistol') was introduced in 1941. It was also commonly nicknamed Kampfpistole Z. These are often Model 34 or Heer Leuchtpistole converted with a rifled bore. The main visual difference between the standard Leuchtpistole and the Leuchtpistole Z was a letter Z stamped on the left side of the weapon. This weapon primarily fires special rifled 25x35.5mmR ammunition, but some sources have stated that it can also fire the standard 26.65mm ammunition.
Some of the Kampfpistole have a small inclinometer sight attached on the left side of the pistol.
Specifications
- Country: Germany
- Manufacturer: Walther, Erma
- Calibre: 25x35.5mmR/26.65mm
- Date of Manufacture: from 1941 onwards
- Barrel Length: 155mm (rifled bore)
The Kampfpistole and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Television
| Show Title | Actor | Character | Note / Episode | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mob City | Jon Bernthal | Detective Joe Teague | "A Guy Walks into a Bar"(S1E01) | 2013 |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker | Kampfpistole | With Sturmpistole indirect fire sights | 2010 | |
| Wolfenstein: The Old Blood | Kampfpistole | With simple iron sights | 2015 |
Sturmpistole
In 1942, a HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) projectile known as the 'Panzerwurfkörper 42 LP' was developed for the Leuchtpistole/Kampfpistole. It was designed for use with additional accessories attached to the pistol, including an indirect firing sight, a shoulder stock to resist the high recoil of the projectile, and a special rifled bore insert placed into the barrel from the breech. Thus the Sturmpistole ('assault pistol') was born. The Sturmpistole can use normal Leuchtpistole/Kampfpistole rounds by removing the bore insert.
Specifications
- Country: Germany
- Manufacturer: Walther, Erma
- Calibre: 26.65mm, 23mm (with bore insert)
- Date of Manufacture: from 1942 onwards
- Barrel Length: 155mm (smooth or rifled bore)
The Sturmpistole and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Film
| Title | Actor | Character | Note | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalingrad | German soldiers | 2013 |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker | 2010 | |||
| Deadfall Adventures | "Panzer Wurfkorper" | 2013 | ||
| Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades | 2016 | |||
| Battlefield V | 2018 | |||
| Land of War: The Beginning | 2021 | |||
| Enlisted | Sturmpistole | 2021 |
See Also
- Leuchtpistole 42, a related German WWII flare gun