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M8 Pyrotechnic Pistol Ammunition

Ammunition for use in pyrotechnic pistols and projectors is issued in the form of complete rounds of fixed ammunition. A complete round consists of all the ammunition components required to fire the pistol or projector once. The complete round consists of a primer, a delay element, propelling charge, and a pyrotechnic charge, all contained in a cartridge case. The term “fixed,” used in connection with ammunition fired from pyrotechnic dischargers, signifies the propelling charge is fixed (not adjustable) and that the round is loaded into the discharger as a unit.

Dependent upon use or the effect produced, ammunition fired from pyrotechnic dischargers is classified as aircraft illumination signals, aircraft parachute flares, and projectile air burst simulators. Aircraft illumination signals were originally intended for signaling from aircraft-to-aircraft or from aircraft-to-ground. The use of ground projectors also permits their use by ground troops.  The signals are manufactured to produce, upon  firing, a single colored star or two stars of the same or different colors.  The double star signals are also available with a tracer element of the same color as one of the stars.  The colors of stars and tracers are green, red, and yellow.  Early models of the signals (without “A1” suffix designations) are available and are assembled inside of a paper case with a brass head; other models (with “A1’’ suffix designations) are assembled inside of an all aluminum one-piece or two-piece case.  Some of these signals, with brass heads and aluminum cases, may be encountered.  Later models (“A2” suffix designations) are of one-piece rimmed-case construction with a steel closing cap. 

There were at least 38 different signals that could be launched out of the AN-M8.  Below is the list of munitions that could be launched from the AN-M8.  If you have any munitions to add, please contact me.

• AN-M28 Signal, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars (red-red) which burn for approximately 7 seconds at 9,000-candlepower each.  Replaced with the AN-M37 series by 1944.
• AN-M29 Signal, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars (yellow-yellow) which burn for approximately 7 seconds at 2,000-candlepower each.  Replaced with the AN-M38 series by 1944.
• AN-M30 Signal, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars (green-green) which burn for approximately 7 seconds at 6,000-candlepower each.  Replaced with the AN-M39 series by 1944.
• AN-M31 Signal, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars (red-yellow) which burn for approximately 7 seconds at 9,000-candlepower and 2,000-candlepower respectively.  Replaced with the AN-M40 series by 1944.
• AN-M32 Signal, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars (red-green) which burn for approximately 7 seconds at 9,000-candlepower and 6,000-candlepower respectively.  Replaced with the AN-M41 series by 1944.
• AN-M33 Signal, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars (green-yellow) which burn for approximately 7 seconds at 6,000-candlepower and 2,000-candlepower respectively.  Replaced with the AN-M42 series by 1944.
• AN-M34 Signal, Aircraft, Single Star - Projects one free-falling star (red) which burns for approximately 7 seconds at 9,000-candlepower.   Replaced with the AN-M43 series of signals by 1944.
• AN-M35 Signal, Aircraft, Single Star - Projects one free-falling star (yellow) which burns for approximately 7 seconds at 2,000-candlepower.   Replaced by the AN-M44 series of signals by 1944.
• AN-M36 Signal, Aircraft, Single Star - Projects one free-falling star (green) which burns for approximately 7 seconds at 6,000-candlepower.   Replaced by the AN-M45 series of signals by 1944.
• AN-M37, AN-M37A1, AN-M37A2, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Double Star - Projects two free-falling stars of the same color (double star, red-red), which burn from 7 to 13 seconds, to an altitude of approximately 250 feet above the point of launch. The twin 25,000-candlepower stars are visible from 2 to 3 miles in daylight and 5 miles at night in clear weather.
• AN-M38 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Double Star - Same as AN-M37 but is a double star, yellow-yellow with 12,000-candlepower each. The yellow star candlepower was later increased to 20,000.
• AN-M39 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Double Star - Same as AN-M37 but is a double star, green-green with 20,000-candlepower each.
• AN-M40 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Double Star - Same as AN-M37 but is a double star, red-yellow with the red star having 25,000-candlepower, while the yellow is 12,000-candlepower.  The yellow star candlepower was later increased to 20,000.
• AN-M41 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Double Star - Same as AN-M37 but is a double star, red-green.  The red star is 25,000-candlepower, while the red is 20,000-candlepower.
• AN-M42 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Double Star - Same as AN-M37 but is a double star, green-yellow.  The green star is 25,000-candlepower, while the yellow is 12,000-candlepower.  The yellow star candlepower was later increased to 20,000.
• AN-M43 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Single Star - Projects one free-falling star (single star, red), which burns from 7 to 13 seconds, to an altitude of approximately 250 feet above the point of launch. The red star is 25,000-candlepower.

• AN-M44 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Single Star - Same as AN-M43 but is a single star, yellow.  The yellow star is 15,000-candlepower.  The yellow star candlepower was later increased to 25,000.
• AN-M45 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Single Star - Same as AN-M43 but is a single star, green.  The green star is 30,000-candlepower.  The green star candlepower was later decreased to 20,000.
• AN-M53 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Tracer, Double Star - Projects two stars and a tracer (yellow tracer, red-yellow star).  The tracer burns with 30,000-candlepower for 2.5 to 4 seconds while the red star burns for 3 to 4.5 seconds at 48,000-candlepower and the yellow burns for the same time at 36,000-candlepower.

• AN-M54 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Tracer, Double Star - Same as AN-M53 but with a green tracer (25,000-candlepower) and red-red star (48,000-candlepower each).
• AN-M55 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Tracer, Double Star -  Same as AN-M53 but with a green tracer (25,000-candlepower) and green-red star (green star is 20,000-candlepower and the red is 48,000-candlepower).
• AN-M56 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Tracer, Double Star -  Same as AN-M53 but with a green tracer (30,000-candlepower) and green-green star (20,000-candlepower each)
• AN-M57 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Tracer, Double Star - Same as AN-M53 but with a red tracer (30,000-candlepower) and red-red star (48,000-candlepower each).
• AN-M58 Series, Signal, Illumination, Aircraft, Tracer, Double Star - Same as AN-M53 but with a red tracer (30,000-candlepower) and green-red star (green star 28,000-candlepower and the red is 48,000-candlepower).
• M9A1 Parachute Aircraft Flare - The aircraft parachute flare M9A1 is intended for aerial reconnaissance. Upon firing, the flare case is projected from the pistol and, after a 2.5- second delay, ignited candle and parachute are expelled from the case.  The flare burns with a white light of 60,000 candlepower for 1 minute while dropping at an average rate of 7 feet per second. It is projected approximately 80 feet from the plane before  the delay train burns through it to ignite the expelling charge.

• M10 Signal, Aircraft, White Star, Parachute - No information available, however it is believed to be the same as M11.
• M11 Signal, Aircraft, Red Star, Parachute - The M11 signal is authorized for firing from a grounded plane as a distress signal to a rescuing plane or rescuing party.  It burns for approximately 30 seconds with a bright red light of 20,000-candlepower.  The candle assembly is quite similar to the M9A1.
• M14 Signal, Aircraft, Red Star Cluster - Considered limited standard by 1944, only the M11 was the remaining standard issue signal.
• M15 Signal, Aircraft, White Star Blinker - Considered limited standard by 1944, only the M11 was the remaining standard issue signal.
• M16 Signal, Aircraft, Green Star Blinker - Considered limited standard by 1944, only the M11 was the remaining standard issue signal.
• M27 Projectile Air Burst Simulator - The projectile airburst simulator M27 is used in training to simulate the high burst of artillery projectiles, and produces a smoke puff at the top of its rise of approximately 650 feet.

• M674, CARTRIDGE, 40-MILLIMETER: RIOT CONTROL CS - The XM674 cartridge is intended for use by law-enforcement agencies in such applications as mob dispersion, controlling riots, and protecting law-enforcement personnel. 
• M675, CARTRIDGE, 40-MILLIMETER: RED SMOKE RS - The M675 cartridge is intended for training personnel in the use and handling of the XM674 munition.  This is the XM675's new designation effective 23 OCT 1970.  This is the XM674's new designation effective 23 OCT 1970
• M74 and M74A1 Projectile Air Burst Simulator - The projectile air burst  simulator M74 is intended primarily for umpires, to simulate air burst of artillery fire for training troops.  It has a 2 to 3-second delay and a 600,000-candlepower flash.  Simulators of earlier manufacture have an aluminum body and brass base; simulators of later manufacture have an all aluminum case.

• Mk 1 Marine Illumination Signal - The Mk 1 marine illumination signal (fig. 1-10) is a general-purpose signal fired from the AN-M8 pyrotechnic pistol. The Mk 1 signal is available in two versions: the Mod O and the Mod 1.’ The Mod O produces a red, green or yellow 7- to n-second star that falls free and leaves a trail of white light, similar to a comet. The Mod 1 produces a 20- to 30-second parachute-suspended red star. Both rounds are expelled from the pyrotechnic pistol by an auxiliary explosive to an approximate altitude of 30 feet. A rocket motor then ignites to propel the signal to a minimum height of 500 feet. It is stabilized in flight by folded fins that spring out once the signal is fired.  At the end of its burn, the rocket propellant ignites an expelling charge and the pyrotechnic composition.
• Mk 2 Marine Smoke Signal - The Mk 2 marine smoke signal (fig. 1-11) is intended primarily for signaling between ships and aircraft. It consists of a parachute-suspended red smoke display that persists for 20 to 30 seconds at a minimum height of 500 feet. The Mk 2 smoke signal is fired from the AN-M8 pyrotechnic pistol and functions much the same as the Mk 1 marine illumination signal.
• XM674 - The XM674 cartridge is intended for use by law-enforcement agencies in such applications as mob dispersion, controlling riots, and protecting law-enforcement personnel.

• XM675 - The XM675 cartridge is intended for training personnel in the use and handling of the XM674 munition.

More AN-M8 Pyrotechnic Pistol information:
General Overview
Getting to know the AN-M8
Ammunition
Disassembly
Assembly
Parts Diagrams