got one for ya guys, tell me what ya know:)

[spddrcr]

so i was at a friend of the family's house helping out and we came across this way up in the back of the closet. the grandmother lives at the with my wife's friends who are about 40 and i know the grandmother is in her mid to late 80's.
anyways all the research i have done points to this being one of the first 5000 of these built due to the markings on the side which are a j a lion caricticture and the #33. on top is the name CESKA ZEBROJOVKA AKC.SPOL.V PRAZE with the serial # of 4795.
anyone know anything more about these? i cant seem to find much more then basic knowledge of what it is.
thanks:

[drnickels]

Looks like a flare gun?

[mp517prct]

It's a vz.30 flare pistol made by Ceska Zbrojovka Prague, and accepted by the Czech Army in 1933

[spddrcr]

I knew it was a flare gun, was just wondering if anyone had more info about the differnt series they made and such, oh and what is a intact flare worth and is it safe to keep around?

[skucera]

Actually, the lion stamp is from the proof house.  I don't know the name or city of the proof house, but most European arms makers employ a third party to inspect and test their firearms before sale.  (For trivia buffs, the lion is symbolic of the white lion of Bohemia.)  This flare gun may not have been used by the Czech army, but if it was accepted by them it will have a little Roman sword stamp.  They used that sword symbol on their uniform buttons before and after German occupation, even under communism.  If it was accepted by the German army, it will have the eagle, wreath, and swastika stamp.

Keep in mind that there are civilian uses for flare guns, such as signaling from boats.  Also, flare guns were exported widely.

Scott