Conceived, developed, and manufactured in 1942, the "Flare Pistol, .45 Caliber" (FP-45) was designed as a cheap and disposable single shot pistol intended to be air dropped into German controlled Europe, giving the citizens of those occupied nations a way to express their displeasure to the occupiers and hopefully retrieve a better arm in the process. The Guide Lamp Division of General Motors was tasked to produce the pistol. The pistol is devoid of markings with two oiler holes on either side of the frame, along with a hollow grip and sliding door at the bottom for ammunition storage.