Signal pistol. This pistol is made entirely of stainless steel but has a wooden plaque applied to each side of the butt to form a grip. Beneath the fore-end is another piece of wood which has a pronounced lip at its forward end. (The weight of this pistol makes it necessary for it to be held in both hands) Loading is effected by moving a spring loaded lever located beneath the forward part of the trigger guard forward. The barrels then hinge downwards from the breech revealing the rim which locates the cartridge in each barrel and the double extractor. The breech face is pierced for each firing pin and also for a sprung pin at the top which indicates whether a cartridge is present in each barrel. The trigger moves to the rear against a spring and on continuing to move trips the action and releases the firing pins. The barrels are smooth bore, of circular section. The calibre is 1in. The pistol is inscribed 'Doppel Schuss 3538' (serial number) with a Wehrmacht Eagle with the letter 'M' (marine) and a spread eagle over an inverted heart, which is possibly the maker's mark. This is a well made heavy signal pistol of robust and simple construction made after 1938 (Wehrmacht Eagle & M) and an assumed date has been ascribed accordingly.