early Model 1905 Spanish Copy

I have read earlier threads on Spanish copies of S&W K-frame M&P-style revolvers but haven't seen one that looks like this one.

Now before anyone says anything like "what bonehead would have refinished this gun", I want you all to know it was ME! In my defense though, it was early in my gun collecting days and I inherited it from a great uncle, so I considered it an "heirloom". The finish was probably not that good even when it was new, but the years were not kind to it and besides, my friendly neighborhood gunsmith needed the work. Fortunately, it had no pitting or serious problems, but cosmetically it was butt ugly.



The momogram on the left side of the frame says it was made by ALFA.

The right side of the frame is totally void of any markings.

My Blue Book actually lists ALFA and says the previous trademark was manufactured by Armero Especialistas Reunidas, located in Eibar, Spain, circa 1920, and that all revolvers are marked Alfa on grips. The grips on this one are plain with very fine checkering, but I have no way to know if these are the original grips. Oh yes, I actually paid to have these refinished as well!



The lockwork is very different from any S&W Model 1905 that I've had apart. Looks more like a Colt to me, but I understand Smith did use a V &/or W main spring on some early guns.


Barrel markings are unusual. The top of the barrel has two lines - line 1 reads "American Best Cartridges Are Those" and line 2 reads "That Fit Best the ALFA Revolvers". The left side of the barrel reads "38 Long Ctg" (I presume this is the same caliber as the original "US Service Cartridge" markings on S&Ws of the same era).

The s/n only appears on the butt. Presumeably an assembly number, "474" appears on the barrel flat, the rear of the cylinder, and the yoke. No number on the extractor.

I've heard that many of the Spanish copies were junk but this one appears to have been relatively well made.

Hopefully, someone out there can add to my limited understanding of this gun? Are there folks out there who "collect" these . . . my sentimental attachment has faded over the years.

Thanks, Russ
SWCA #853

I have read earlier threads on Spanish copies of S&W K-frame M&P-style revolvers but haven't seen one that looks like this one.

Now before anyone says anything like "what bonehead would have refinished this gun", I want you all to know it was ME! In my defense though, it was early in my gun collecting days and I inherited it from a great uncle, so I considered it an "heirloom". The finish was probably not that good even when it was new, but the years were not kind to it and besides, my friendly neighborhood gunsmith needed the work. Fortunately, it had no pitting or serious problems, but cosmetically it was butt ugly.



The momogram on the left side of the frame says it was made by ALFA.

The right side of the frame is totally void of any markings.

My Blue Book actually lists ALFA and says the previous trademark was manufactured by Armero Especialistas Reunidas, located in Eibar, Spain, circa 1920, and that all revolvers are marked Alfa on grips. The grips on this one are plain with very fine checkering, but I have no way to know if these are the original grips. Oh yes, I actually paid to have these refinished as well!



The lockwork is very different from any S&W Model 1905 that I've had apart. Looks more like a Colt to me, but I understand Smith did use a V &/or W main spring on some early guns.


Barrel markings are unusual. The top of the barrel has two lines - line 1 reads "American Best Cartridges Are Those" and line 2 reads "That Fit Best the ALFA Revolvers". The left side of the barrel reads "38 Long Ctg" (I presume this is the same caliber as the original "US Service Cartridge" markings on S&Ws of the same era).

The s/n only appears on the butt. Presumeably an assembly number, "474" appears on the barrel flat, the rear of the cylinder, and the yoke. No number on the extractor.

I've heard that many of the Spanish copies were junk but this one appears to have been relatively well made.

Hopefully, someone out there can add to my limited understanding of this gun? Are there folks out there who "collect" these . . . my sentimental attachment has faded over the years.

Thanks, Russ
SWCA #853

I'll just say that it looks more like a real S&W than any other copy that I've seen!

T-Star

First one I have ever seen, looks great!

That's a typical example of a S&W Spanish copy by one of the better makers in the Eibar valley in Spain. Made to deceive the ignorant buyer, or satisfy the low income buyer who wants to impress his friends into thinking he own's a Smith & Wesson. ( Yo soy un hombre pistolero muy macho! Quidado! ) Foreign copies are an interesting subfield of S&W collecting. They are usually inexpensive to buy and some are equals to S&W's quality, especially the N frame Triple Lock copies.

Interesting gun, Russ. Thanks for the post.

Regards,

Jerry

thank you all for your informative post and pictures

I recently obtained one of these from a friend and it appears to be missing some pieces (most noticeably the screws for the side plate). can anyone tell me how to get parts for this gun? mine has also been nickel plated and has no markings anywhere on it. how would I figure out the proper caliber?

Model 1905 Spanish Copy

Texas Star said:

I'll just say that it looks more like a real S&W than any other copy that I've seen!

T-Star

Click to expand...

I agree with T-Star, that Spanish S&W copy looks a lot more like a real Smith than one I bought a couple of years ago. This one is more of a "Smolt" the front end looks like a Colt and the rest a Smith. It is well made and has an interesting cylinder release; it's also pretty accurate...

Here's a posting about another ALFA revolver, also with comments from Linde: http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/145045-help-identify-alfa-revolver.html

ALFA is the Adolf L. Frank Export Company, a large German arms dealer in Hamburg. I don't know much about them but they were reputed to deal only in high-quality guns. See: http://www.cornellpubs.com/old-guns/item_desc.php?item_id=23

An acquaintance gave me one many years ago.
I have plans to turn it into a table lamp.....