United States Army Air Forces Type AN-M8 Flare pistol; stamped aluminum frame; black Bakelite (plastic) pistol grip; steel hinged 37mm breech loading barrel; thumb barrel release and gun cock handle on top; stamped letter manufacturer data on frame (see marks for full text).
Summary:
The Type AN-M8 flare pistol was the standard issue signal gun for the American military aircraft during World War II.