Conceived, developed and manufactured in 1942, the "Flare Pistol, 45 Caliber" (FP-45) was envisioned as a disposable weapon, to be thrown en-masse out of the back of low-flying aircraft in occupied nations, boxed with ammunition, a text-free "comic strip" instruction sheet, and a dowel rod to serve as an extractor. Ideally, an oppressed citizen of the occupied land would find the pistol, ambush an enemy solider with it, and take their much nicer service weapons for further mischief and mayhem behind the main lines. This is a three-hole model that was made from sheet metal stampings that were spot welded together around the barrel, and fitted with a cast zinc cocking knob with integral guide pin. The grip is hollow to store additional rounds, and fitted with a sliding cover. The pistol includes an original wax impregnated cardboard box with a picture of the pistol on the top, small cardboard box containing ten rounds of .45 ACP ammunition all with correct "FA/42" head stamps, illustrated instruction sheet with correct "WHITING MUTUAL BOND" watermarks, wooden dowel ejector rod, and wooden spacer block to prevent the pistol from moving in the box.

Excellent unused, with some very light scattered specks of brown surface spotting, and mild handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Box is very good with corner and edge wear overall, clearly visible illustration, and most of the original wax coating. Instruction sheet is excellent with appropriate fold marks some very scattered spots of discoloration.