Your Spanish S&W copies - let's see 'em!

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I'll take a couple of the entire revolver and post them. There aren't many additional markings.

James

Check under the grip, and on the rear face of the cylinder.

 

[foxfirerodandgun]

Here are the only marks on the revolver. There are initials, (WT & WTL), scratched into the inside of both grips. Not shown is the caliber marking on the left side of the barrel which reads, "32 WCF". There were no markings on the rear face of the cylinder.
James

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

That's going to be some small shop knockoff. The "Used best fit" text is textbook. If it's mechanically sound, it's probably safe to fire. If it has any end shake, significant gap, indexing errors, don't shoot it.

Either way, I wouldn't shoot it much. The lifespan could be in "hundreds" of rounds vs thousands.

If you saw the Forgotten Weapons episode with the "Smill and Wellson," which might even be in this thread, that thing is so loose it's more dangerous to people next to me than anyone downrange.

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Apparently it wasn't in the thread already. Here is my authentic Smill & Welson, Sprangfeld, Mus, EUA. The holy grail of revolvers.

 

[foxfirerodandgun]

I noticed the same six pointed star on the grip of the pistol at the very bottom of the page on this link. I am curious if this is an indication of a possible manufacturer?

Nouvelle page 0

James

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

It's not quite the same, but it could be. Littlegun charges 10 Euros a year and will do their best to ID anything you have, particularly Belgian, but some Spanish.

 

[SoCalGhostGunner]

.38 Special GAC

Picked this one up at a church auction.

 

[peglegstrick]

my TROCAOLA ARAMZABAL Y Cia EIBAR spanish 92

Got this old Spanish copy that was missing the mainspring. Found a repo mainspring from Dixie Gun Works for it but it will require a bit of fitting to work. Has anyone here have any experience doing this. some expert advise would be appreciated. The top of the barrel has TROCAOLA ARAMZABAL Y Cia EIBAR on it and looks to be chambered for the 8mm lebel revolver round. Also does anyone know where to find a schematic of these revolvers?

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

There's unlikely to be a schematic if you didn't find one on a quick google search. There were lots of small makers in the Eibar region.

8mm Lebel revolver (8mm French Ordnance) is available sporadically from Prvi, and several custom loaders including Reed's Ammunition and Research. It's a fun cartridge to shoot, about on par with .32 long. I have both a French 1893 and a Belgian pocket revolver that shoot it, and about 5 boxes on hand.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Apparently it wasn't in the thread already. Here is my authentic Smill & Welson, Sprangfeld, Mus, EUA. The holy grail of revolvers.

In post #74 also.

 

[Echo40]

I don't own any Spanish S&W Clones, but I do own one Brazilian Revolver that S&W copied.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Euskaro .38 S&W

 

[TomkinsSP]

Euskaro .32 S&W.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Aramberri .38 S&W.

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Cuskaro .38 S&W

That should be "Euskaro," which is the Basque people's name for themselves.

If it's actually stamped "Cuskaro," then it's a copy of a copy.

 

[one eye joe]

I can see how someone could get into collecting these, as it could be more interesting from a technical standpoint than just accumulating a bunch of the more common S&W's that are more alike than different. Plus, I imagine certain Spanish S&W copies are genuinely rare, both because in some instances they were made in cottage industry quantities, and also on account of their having tended to be discarded rather than repaired (lack of parts and economic incentive). Of course, there's probably no money in such a pursuit, which is why there isn't a SSWCCA.

Still, I'm surprised by the lack of response to this thread up to now. Nobody's got one of these to share, or is too embarrassed to admit to having one (or a bunch)?

IF I OWNED SOME, I WOULD FLAUNT THEM. I THINK THAT THESE VARIATIONS ARE VERY INTERESTING........

 

[TomkinsSP]

That should be "Euskaro," which is the Basque people's name for themselves.

If it's actually stamped "Cuskaro," then it's a copy of a copy.

Yup, it reads "EUSKARO REVOLVER" right across the top of barrel. Thanks for the information.

 

[Diego]

Eibar-made revolver (brand unknown)

 

[Tom K]

Here are a couple of Spanish Triple Locks that I own. The blue one has a 5" barrel and a four digit serial, 1482. The nickel one has a 7-1/8" barrel and a six digit serial, 322375. I doubt that they actually made that many but who knows? They are very different internally. I have not shot either and the nickel one needs some work.

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Nice! I've heard of Aranzabal. Small maker, but enough voiume to be a known entity. How do they shoot?

 

[Absalom]

Actually, already before 1914 the maker of that "Triple Lock" was the second-largest revolver manufacturer in Eibar after the Orbea brothers, with 130 employees. The list comes from a Spanish report about the Eibar arms industry and was complied from city archives.

It is not clear why only P. Aranzabal's name made it onto this gun; their full name can be found on other copies of US revolvers, like Colts, I've seen. But it is definitely that company.

The shotgun maker also on the list, AYA Aguirre y Aranzabal, likely founded by a relative, is still in business today.

 

[Tattooedgunny]

Good morning gentlemen, I'm very new here and just made my account to be able to post on this page. I was at my favorite local gun/pawn shop last week when two older ladies came in with a rusted revolver. They just wanted to sell it and did not know anything about it. With live rounds stuck in the cylinder, the guys at the shop carefully worked on it a bit. The shop ended up buying it for $20, I in return asked if after the 10 day hold if I could buy it and how much. The shop manager said $25 dollars. Anyway it's been about 3 or 4 days into this 10 day hold and I've been doing quite a bit of research on this revolver. I have learned it's a T.A.C. revolver from Eibar, Spain. However I found something on this one that I haven't found much info on. On most it says ".38 special or us service ctg". The one I will be buying only says "For .38 special ctg" and nothing else. Can somebody please explain why this one only says for .38 special? I'm going to include pictures of how the revolver looks now and please tell me if I should refinish it, only remove the rust and if you personally think it's ok to fire. Thank you guys and any help is much appreciated!

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

.38 Special was the standard "service" cartridge for most police. Correct nomenclature, such as on yours, is a good sign generally.

I can't say if it's safe to fire by looking at it, but I've fired a whole bunch of ugly looking stuff with low loads as long as the timing was correct.

 

[ziagunsmith]

Can anyone help ID my new toy?

I'm new to the forum so I'll see if I can make it work. I recently acquired a Spanish made S&W copy. It seems to be well made and is in good working and shooting condition. Rust and pitting on the outside, the barrel is clean and the lands and grooves are sharp, internal parts are good, no wear or rust inside. I've attached 3 pictures. On the left side of the barrel is engraved*32 S&W Cartridge*. On the right side is logo Trade Mark J.L.G inside a triangle (see picture). Medallions on hand grips are also in picture. 93 is engraved on the front of the cylinder, on the grip frame under the grips, and on the under side of the barrel covered by the ejector rod when the cylinder is locked. SPAIN (not Made in Spain like I've seen on other copies) is engraved on the underside of the frame behind the trigger guard. I see no other markings on this firearm. Is anyone familiar with this Trade Mark? Any information about this piece is appreciated. Are these copies worth anything?

 

[Absalom]

....On the right side is logo Trade Mark J.L.G inside a triangle (see picture). Medallions on hand grips are also in picture. ....
....SPAIN (not Made in Spain like I've seen on other copies) is engraved on the underside of the frame behind the trigger guard. I see no other markings on this firearm. Is anyone familiar with this Trade Mark? Any information about this piece is appreciated. Are these copies worth anything?

This was surprisingly easy to investigate. The attached snip from a collection of US trade documents dated July 14, 1925, answers all your questions

Jacques L. Galef and Son were a large importer and wholesaler of guns in New York City at 85 Chambers Street.

As for present value, unless you find a collector with a special interest, these are little regarded, as the quality is difficult to gauge and their reputation, in some cases unjustified, not the best.

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

That one is better made than many.

 

[JASON BORRD]

32 euskaro

I have done quite a bit of research. But the stamp continuously eludes me. Does anyone have any idea what the stamp is or means?

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I have done quite a bit of research. But the stamp continuously eludes me. Does anyone have any idea what the stamp is or means?

Marca Registrada is "registered trademark." The animal is supposed to look like something akin to a Smith or other trademark for the buyer.

"Euskaro" is the Basque's name for themselves, so this is an Eibar made revolver.

 

[Rayfan87]

This is my Spanish copy, picked it up cheap at auction.

 

[JASON BORRD]

Marca Registrada is "registered trademark." The animal is supposed to look like something akin to a Smith or other trademark for the buyer.

"Euskaro" is the Basque's name for themselves, so this is an Eibar made revolver.

The trademark I did know. I just couldn't find the bull anywhere. So does this mean that the bull stamp isn't even registered?