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The Kampfpistole or "battle pistol" in English was a pistol introduced into German service during 1939 and served throughout World War II. The Kampfpistole was a single shot, break action, flare gun designed and produced by Walther that was a variant of the earlier Leuchtpistole 34. Externally both the Kampfpistole and the Leuchtpistole 34 were nearly identical. The difference between the two models was the Kampfpistole had a rifled barrel while the Leuchtpistole 34 was a smoothbore gun. The Kampfpistole's frame was machined from duralumin, the barrel was machined from steel, was blued to stop corrosion, and had bakelite pistol grips. To increase the range of Leuchtpistole, the Leuchtpistole Z (referring to Züge, meaning 'grooves' in German), also known as the Kampfpistole was introduced in 1941. It was also commonly nicknamed Kampfpistole Z. These are often Model 34 or Heer Leuchtpistole converted with a rifled bore. The main visual difference between the standard Leuchtpistole and the Leuchtpistole Z was a letter Z stamped on the left side of the weapon. This weapon primarily fires special rifled 25x35.5mmR ammunition, but some sources have stated that it can also fire the standard 26.65mm ammunition. Some of the Kampfpistole have a small inclinometer sight attached on the left side of the pistol. The primary roles for the Kampfpistole were signaling, illumination, target marking, or concealment with a smoke grenade. Later during World War II, explosive rounds were developed to give German troops a small and lightweight grenade launcher for engaging targets from close range which could not be engaged satisfactorily by infantry weapons or artillery without endangering friendly troops.