32 M & P ???? HELP!!

[Juan Beans]

I just got a 32-20 caliber pistol with the serial numbers printed on the butt of the gun and just below the barrel. The serial number is 191430. It has Spanish writing on the barrel and I am just trying to find out more info on it. I would like to know when it was made and what the value is. It has a 4 inch barrel and has almost all of the bluing on it still. The weird thing about it is that the the usual S&W symbol on the hand grip is not an S&W it looks like an H and ???? It has the same leather case as all the original the Smith and Wesson guns but it stamped made in Mexico. by VIKING. Please let me know what you know about this gun.

Thanks

John

 

[mikepriwer]

Its not a S&W - its some foreign copy.

Mike Priwer

 

[DWalt]

Spanish copies of the M&P are not unusual. Would guess yours may be an "Orbea Hermanos," probably from the post-WWI era. Orbea used an intertwined "OH" symbol, somewhat like the intertwined S&W symbol. Viking holsters were made in Mexico. I have a couple of them, and workmanship is top-notch (at least on mine). I did read one time that Viking was an importer located in the Los Angeles area, but I know nothing more about them than that.

It is probably best if you do not attempt to fire it, as materials and workmanship are questionable on many of the Spanish knockoffs. Orbea is still in business, but I think they now make only bicycles.