The pistol commonly known as the “Liberator” was officially designated FP-45, short for Flare Projector, Caliber .45. Its popular name is only one of many myths surrounding the weapon. The FP-45 was produced in 1942 for the U.S. Army by the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors in Anderson, Indiana. It was designed as a very cheap, single-shot pistol intended to be airdropped to resistance fighters, who were expected to kill an enemy at close range and then take his weapon. Speed and cost were c