The Mk 6 marine location marker is being replaced
white. Each cartridge has a percussion primer and a
propelling or expelling charge of ten grains of black
by the Mk 58. There are, however, remaining
serviceable stocks of the Mk 6 available. If you have
powder, which projects the burning star to a height of
any of these markers in your inventory, use them first.
about 200 feet. The star charge is a tightly-packed
Man-overboard and navigation drills are good instances
cylinder wrapped with a quick match (a fast-burning
where these stocks can be efficiently expended.
fuse) that ignites when the signal is fired. The star
charge is separated from the expelling charge by a
shock-absorbing wad of hard felt. The cartridge is
MARINE ILLUMINATION AND
closed by a wad whose end is shaped so that color of the
SMOKE SIGNALS
star can be determined at night by feel, as shown in
Marine illumination signals are similar in
appearance to a standard shotgun cartridge. When one
The red star has a corrugated closing wad, the green
of these signals is fired from the proper pistol or
star has a smooth closing wad, and the white star has a
projector, a burning star (somewhat like a star from a
small conical boss on its closing wad Each of the
Roman candle) shoots high into the air. In this section,
signals may also be identified by the corresponding
we will describe the marine illumination and smoke
color of the paper on its cartridge.
signals and pyrotechnic pistols currently in use. These
include the
The illumination signals are available in ten-round
metal or cardboard containers. The containers are
Mk 2 marine illumination signal,
packaged in wooden boxes that hold 40, 45, or 100
containers.
Mk 5 pyrotechnic pistol,
MK 5 Pyrotechnic Pistol
AN-M37A2 through AN-M39A2 series,
double-star illumination signal,
Mk 2 marine illumination signals are fired from the
Mk 1 marine illumination signal, and
Mk 5 pyrotechnic pistol. This pistol is a breech-loaded,
double-action, single-shot device, 11 inches long.
AN-M8 pyrotechnic pistol.
Metal parts are mounted on a plastic frame. The
operating instructions for the Mk 5 pistol are as follows:
MK 2 MARINE ILLUMINATION SIGNAL
1. To load the pistol, depress the latch button
The Mk 2 marine illumination signal is a six-second
below the barrel. At the same time, pull the barrel
signal that is available in three colors: red, green, and
downward, as show in figure 3-5, view A. Insert the
signal shell (view B). Bush the barrel upward until it
latches in the closed position. The pistol is now ready to
fire.
Figure 3-4.--The Mk 2 marine illumination signal.
Figure 3-5.--Operation of the Mk 5 pyrotechnic pistol.
3-5
