Kampfpistole: Difference between revisions

{{Italic title}}

{{Infobox weapon

|is_ranged=yes

|name=Kampfpistole

|image=Flare pistol, U-505, World War II - Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) - DSC06765.JPG

|image_size=300

|caption=This photo is of a ''Leuchtpistole'' 34. The ''Kampfpistole'' was nearly identical except it had a rifled barrel.

|origin={{flag|Nazi Germany}}

|type=[[Flare gun]]

<!-- Service history -->

|service=1939-1945

|used_by=Germany

|designer=Walther

|manufacturer=[[Carl Walther GmbH|Walther]]<br>[[Erma Werke|Erma]]

|cartridge=[[Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone]]<br>[[Nebelpatrone]]<br>[[Sprengpatrone]]

|caliber={{convert|23|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|action=[[Break action]]

|weight={{convert|1.4|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}

|length={{convert|155|mm|in|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" />

|part_length=

|height=

|rate=

|feed=[[Single shot]]<ref name=":0" />

|range=

}}

The '''Kampfpistole''' or ''"combat pistol"'' in English was a [[flare gun]] introduced into [[Nazi Germany|German]] service during 1939 and served throughout [[World War II]].

== Design ==

The ''Kampfpistole'' was a [[Single-shot|single shot]], [[break action]], flare gun designed and produced by [[Carl Walther GmbH|Walther]] that was a variant of the earlier ''[[Leuchtpistole 34]]''. Externally both the ''Kampfpistole'' and the ''Leuchtpistole'' 34 were nearly identical. The difference between the two models was the ''Kampfpistole'' had a [[rifled]] barrel while the ''Leuchtpistole'' 34 was a [[smoothbore]] gun. The ''Kampfpistole'' could be identified by a Z engraved on the barrel of the gun. The ''Kampfpistole{{'}}''s frame was machined from [[duralumin]], the barrel was machined from steel, was blued to stop corrosion, and had [[bakelite]] pistol grips.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://leuchtpistole.free.fr/Sommaire/En_ModeleKampfpistole.html|title=Mod. Kampfpistole|website=leuchtpistole.free.fr|access-date=2019-02-13}}</ref>

== Ammunition ==

The primary roles for the ''Kampfpistole'' were signaling, illumination, target marking, or concealment with a [[smoke grenade]]. Later during World War II, explosive rounds were developed to give German troops a small and lightweight grenade launcher for engaging targets from close range which could not be engaged satisfactorily by infantry weapons or artillery without endangering friendly troops.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/TacticalAndTechnicalTrendsNos21-30-nsia|title=Tactical And Technical Trends, Nos. 21-30|last=United States. War Department. Military Intelligence Division|date=1943-01-01}}</ref>

Available projectiles included:

* ''[[Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone]]'' - This was a non-lethal parachute retarded flare that could be used for [[battlefield illumination]] or as a [[Flare|signal flare]]. The projectile can be identified by its "''F. Leucht. Z''." marking on the base of the projectile.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Catalog Of Enemy Ordnance Material|last=unknown|publisher=Office of the chief of ordnance|date=1 August 1945|location=www.paperlessarchives.com/FreeTitles/CatalogOfEnemyOrdnanceMateriel.pdf|pages=326}}</ref>

* ''[[Nebelpatrone]]'' - This was a non-lethal smoke grenade with a [[Artillery fuze#Percussion fuzes|nose fuze]] that could be used for target marking or concealment. It was similar in appearance to explosive grenades and could be identified by its ''"NEBEL. Z"'' marking on the base of the projectile.<ref name=":2" />

* ''[[Sprengpatrone]]'' - A nose fuzed high explosive grenade that was used for low angle [[direct fire]] where range and accuracy were needed. It was not recommended for use beyond 180 m (200 yd) due to inaccuracy or less than 46 m (50 yd) due to the risk from shell fragments.<ref name=":1" />

==Gallery==

<gallery mode=packed>

File:Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone fur Kampfpistole.jpg|''Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone''

File:Nebelpatrone fur Kampfpistole.jpg|''Nebelpatrone''

File:Sprengpatrone für Kampfpistole.png|''Sprengpatrone''

</gallery>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{WWIIGermanInfWeapons}}

[[Category:Grenade launchers of Germany]]

[[Category:Rifle grenades]]

[[Category:Flare guns]]

[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Germany]]

[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1930s]]