Navy Flare Gun

[stkcode]

I ran across a neat older flare gun with what looks like it has a modified barrel. I'm guessing Vietnam era. It looks similar to a WW ll flare pistol for cockpit fitting next to pilots of Lancaster Bombers but has a longer wood handle and a 12" (if not longer) barrel extension with a handle on it.

Apparently it was used by the Navy to shoot something or another (I don't remember exactly) between ships. I presume tie lines? At any rate, I didn't get a chance to read what markings that where on the gun body itself. Looks like it can accept a 37mm cartridge but I'm not really sure. Might be just the standard 26.5mm cartridge (I didn't exactly have a tape measure or ruler with me) The gray barrel extension (which really looks like a thick 12" piece of pipe with a handle welded on it) is a bit larger in diameter.

Was wondering if anyone knew who made it and what is was used for?

[Peter.Steele]

Navy uses M-14's with a modified grenade launcher-ish thing and blank rounds to launch a messenger line between ships. (During UNREP, the messenger line is sent over first, and it's used to pull across a heavier line, which is used to pull across a cable which has slides to carry fuel hoses, cargo, etc.

[stkcode]

Thanks.