The family of hand held signals (HHS) is use for both day time and nighttime signaling and nighttime signaling in the case of the M127A1. They are used all military services. The star clusters consist of five-star illuminant assemblies and a rocket motor pr opulsion assembly contained in a hand-held aluminum launching tube. The base of the launching tube contains a primer and an initiating charge. As shipped, the firing pin cap is assembled to the forward end and must be reversed for firing. Stabilizing fins on the tail assembly of rockets are folded parallel to the axis of the signal. A bolt, which also transfers the intiating charge flash to the propellant, extends into the center of the solid propellant which fills the propulsion assembly. The illuminant assembly is mounted on top of the propulsion assembly with a delay assembly and an expelling charge between. A label specifying firing procedures is secured to the body of the signal.

The parachute signals consist of a parachute-suspended illuminant assembly and a rocket motor propulsion assembly contained in a hand-held aluminum launching tube. The base of the launching tube contains a primer and an initiating charge. As shipped, the f iring pin cap is assembled to the forward end and must be reversed for firing. Stabilizing fins on the tail assembly of rockets are folded parallel to the axis of the signal. A bolt, which also transfers the initiating charge flash to the propellant, exte nds into the center of the solid propellant, which fills the propulsion assembly. The parachute/illuminant assembly is mounted on top of the propulsion assembly with a delay assembly and an expelling charge between them. The parachute with suspension chor ds is packed on top of the illuminant, and the tube end is sealed with a cork disk (rocket barrel seal). A label specifying firing procedures is secured to the body of the signal. The propelling charge for both cluster and parachute type signals is a black powder composition with about 9% calcium carbonate. Black powder is used for the initiating and expelling charge for both cluster and parachute signals. The primer is percussion no. 68 and is used in both cluster and parachute signals.

These signal flares were commonly seen carried on the top of the rucksack, tucked in the straps. And the best bit is that O got this on eBay for 99 cents...