Another TAC Spanish S&W Copy - Top Break in .38 S&W

[THREEDFLYER]

Was digging through my stash and forgot that I had this one.....

Seems to be in good mechanical condition with a good amount of the original nickel finish present and a decent set of pearl stocks with TAC medallions.

I plan to put this one up for sale but thought I could get some additional info from those in the know on TAC guns.

TROCAOLA ARAMZABAL Y CIA EIBAR (ESPANA)

I assume it is a Post 1900 production so NOT an antique

Has a decent bore that is dark but has visible rifling. Chambers of the cylinder are very good/clean. Lockup seems fairly tight. I have not shot this one, but I would not hesitate to do so.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Added some updated, better photos.....

 

[2152hq]

Nice looking revolver. I find the Spanish handguns quite interesting.
FWIW, Spain didn't impliment Gov't Proofing until 1923, so any that are not Proof Marked are generally thought to be pre 1923 mfg.

Though others say there were many back-yard cottage produced guns made after that time that went unproofed as well. Made and then then just sold. Kind of an early Ghost Gun.

But being nicely marked by TAC, a very well known mfg'r in Eibar started in the mid 1870's, ** Edit..should be mid 1880's,,my typo.
However there are conflicting dates as to the start-up year of the company. All depends on who you point to as a resource**

I wouldn't think they'd have marked it with their name and then not had it Gov't Proofed it if it was a post 1923 mfg.

How early of a mfg, I really don't know of any way to tell.
Perhaps someone really deep into the Spanish handgun collecting field can ID and date mfg'r with what is shown by features or if there are some other markings on the gun.

\Most of the deep interest in these revolvers is around those made for the British and other combatants during WW1.
Several different companies involved in mfg'r and quite a grouping of different revolvers.
They are all post 1898.
I think TAC was the largest supplier of the Spanish makers by simple #'s of revolvers in that dust up.

 

[gunbarrel]

The best quality Spanish "Smith" (copies of Smith & Wesson revolvers) from Eibar were made by Garate, Anitúa y Compañía ("GAC"), along with those from Orbea Hermanos y Compañía ("OHC") and Trocaola, Aranzábal y Compañía (“TAC”).

The company TAC began its existence in 1899 and in 1908 it began to refer to itself as a firearms manufacturer; the same as GAC and OHC. They continued to produce firearms until 1937 (including guns for the Spanish Republican Government in 1936) when Eibar fell to Francisco Franco's Nationalist Army and destroyed all their machinery.

Reference:


Juan L. Calvó, July 2008

- Catalogación de Armas, Article #27 - Los revólveres "Smith", de otras firmas eibarresas

- Catalogación de Armas, Article #25 - El revolver "Ona", de la firma "Orbea Hermanos

 

[2152hq]

I saw that 1899 start up date as well.
But then the mid 1880's date (I corrected my 1870 typo in my orig post.) I also have seen a claim of 1883 as the exact year.
So what ever it is ,, it's maybe, probably, likely somewhere betw 1880 & 1900.
Close enough for me.

Every published authors' opinion is the correct one.
Take your pick.