This Hechler & Koch 26.5mm flare gun is stamped "26,5mm RakPist78 HK" on the left side and "A 60 14214 W+F" on the right side. There are no signs of it being fired and the inside of the barrel is still coated with the original grease. It's also evident that only the gun and the included cleaning brush have been stored in the carry bag. The only blemish on the gun is some scratches (pictured) on the top of the barrel near the breach. The gun makes contact with the metal cleaning rod holder when taking in and out of the bag if not careful and i was not. I guess HK didn't anticipate these becoming collectables when they designed the bag. The blue smudge on the carry bag's outside flap is bleed through from something printed on the inside flap. It looks like three or four unreadable letters followed by "P.T." and below that is "1981" which I presume to be the manufacture or issue date (see pic).
Here's the boring backstory on how I came to posses this. A buddy found a couple of these on Ebay in 1999/2000 time frame. We were boaters and HK pistol owners so we thought it would be cool to have one. I never tried to buy flares for it although they are readily available as is a 12 gauge marine flare insert. So instead of going on my boat it went into my safe for over 20 years. Recently I started to empty the safe of things I rarely use to acquire new things I also will rarely use. Much to my pleasant surprise, these authentic HK flare guns are rare and have become collector items. Google "RakPist78 HK" or "HK P2A1" and you will see for yourself. If you think I'm crazy for asking so much feel free to public shame me in comments or private message. If you would like to make an offer for less than the asking price I'll gladly consider it but will likely let it ride for a while hoping the "right" buyer to come along. If no takers the price will start to come down. I'm just glad I bought something that actually appreciated in value!
Here is a posting from gunbroker.com in Feb 2022 where the ultimate buyer had an opening bid of $445 but as soon as someone else bid he used "buy now" to buy it for $595 (I hope he sees this and is looking for another). I cannot attest to any of this posting's validity so do your own research:
"Be careful when looking for the real HK version as it needs to be marked as this one is labeled. Clones made by other country manufacturers like SIG for example says "SIG P2A1", have totally different labeling. This Heckler & Koch Flare Gun Model labeled "26,5mm RakPist78 HK" and on reverse "A 60 31949 W+F" is the real correct HK Flare Gun. The auction includes the original sewn carry bag that has room for many flare rounds. The carry bag is not available anywhere else as far as I can see. You get a truly unique and rare item here. Also includes the barrel cleaning brush.
This flare gun would be one of the most modern military surplus flare guns in existence, with it being lighter than most other flare guns. It is also highly desired as it is an official H&K product, which makes it desired by H&K collectors and fans of HK products. The flare gun went into production in the 80’s and is the most modern and sought after in the market today. This flare gun has also been licensed to other countries so you will often see flare guns that look exactly like the HK but are sold as being of a different origin with different markings/labeling as noted above.
Although no special licensing is required to purchase one of these flare guns, HK has put a lot of restriction on when and where they will sell the guns and will not even make them regularly available to their dealers, therefore stock of these excellent condition pistols now are difficult to find. The carry bag apparently impossible to find.
This flare gun is designated P2A1, and was designed in 1974 by the most prolific H&K designer Hulmut Weldle. The condition of this flare gun is Very Good to Excellent Condition, with minor scratches on the barrel exterior, most of which can be seen in the photos." (end of listing)
Mostly looking for cash but would be willing to take some 9mm, 223 or 6.8 SPC or diesel as partial payment
Thanks for looking!
Here's the boring backstory on how I came to posses this. A buddy found a couple of these on Ebay in 1999/2000 time frame. We were boaters and HK pistol owners so we thought it would be cool to have one. I never tried to buy flares for it although they are readily available as is a 12 gauge marine flare insert. So instead of going on my boat it went into my safe for over 20 years. Recently I started to empty the safe of things I rarely use to acquire new things I also will rarely use. Much to my pleasant surprise, these authentic HK flare guns are rare and have become collector items. Google "RakPist78 HK" or "HK P2A1" and you will see for yourself. If you think I'm crazy for asking so much feel free to public shame me in comments or private message. If you would like to make an offer for less than the asking price I'll gladly consider it but will likely let it ride for a while hoping the "right" buyer to come along. If no takers the price will start to come down. I'm just glad I bought something that actually appreciated in value!
Here is a posting from gunbroker.com in Feb 2022 where the ultimate buyer had an opening bid of $445 but as soon as someone else bid he used "buy now" to buy it for $595 (I hope he sees this and is looking for another). I cannot attest to any of this posting's validity so do your own research:
"Be careful when looking for the real HK version as it needs to be marked as this one is labeled. Clones made by other country manufacturers like SIG for example says "SIG P2A1", have totally different labeling. This Heckler & Koch Flare Gun Model labeled "26,5mm RakPist78 HK" and on reverse "A 60 31949 W+F" is the real correct HK Flare Gun. The auction includes the original sewn carry bag that has room for many flare rounds. The carry bag is not available anywhere else as far as I can see. You get a truly unique and rare item here. Also includes the barrel cleaning brush.
This flare gun would be one of the most modern military surplus flare guns in existence, with it being lighter than most other flare guns. It is also highly desired as it is an official H&K product, which makes it desired by H&K collectors and fans of HK products. The flare gun went into production in the 80’s and is the most modern and sought after in the market today. This flare gun has also been licensed to other countries so you will often see flare guns that look exactly like the HK but are sold as being of a different origin with different markings/labeling as noted above.
Although no special licensing is required to purchase one of these flare guns, HK has put a lot of restriction on when and where they will sell the guns and will not even make them regularly available to their dealers, therefore stock of these excellent condition pistols now are difficult to find. The carry bag apparently impossible to find.
This flare gun is designated P2A1, and was designed in 1974 by the most prolific H&K designer Hulmut Weldle. The condition of this flare gun is Very Good to Excellent Condition, with minor scratches on the barrel exterior, most of which can be seen in the photos." (end of listing)
Mostly looking for cash but would be willing to take some 9mm, 223 or 6.8 SPC or diesel as partial payment
Thanks for looking!
