U.S. Army Model 1862 Percussion Signal Pistol, circa 1862

In 1859, inventor and entrepreneur Martha Coston was granted a patent for her pyrotechnic night signal and code system. During the Civil War, Coston's flares allowed ships in the Union Navy to effectively communicate with each other at night, strengthening military coordination. New York gun manufacturer William Marston produced this signal pistol to exclusively fire Coston's multiple colored signal flare.