Need help with a S&W double action revolver - Page 2

**Mike Irwin** · December 6, 2014, 01:46 PM

The hotbed of Spanish firearms manufacturing was in the Eibar area in Northern Spain.

It had a double whammy against it from Franco's standpoint, in that Eibar is in the middle of the Basque region, which had been moving for greater autonomy and independence from Spain since the mid to late 1800s.

During the Civil War the Basque region organized its own autonomous government, but it surrendered its troops Franco on the condition that the heavy industry assets in the region not be touched.

Eibar was still heavily bombed, thousands of civilians were injured or killed, and after Franco assumed power, he violated his agreement, shut down most of the manufacturers in the region (Star, Astra, and two others). Some were combined into the 4 that were allowed to continue manufacturing, but for the most part they were simply shut down and the machinery either moved or destroyed.

Franco's government also exerted extreme control over the region to prevent a resurgence of Basque nationalism, which did happen after Franco's death and the re-establishment of the monarchy in 1975.

James K · December 6, 2014, 02:49 PM

It would be very difficult to list all the makers that were not allowed to resume production, but three handgun makers were - Bonifachio Evcheverria (Star), Gabilondo (Llama), and Unceta (Astra), all in the Basque region, though that area had not generally supported Franco. As Mike says, political considerations were important, but there is little doubt that quality was a major consideration, since weapons played a major role in Spain's foreign trade and Spain had had an excellent reputation for arms quality, as far back as supplying the Roman legions with the best steel swords (the gladius hispaniensis) then available anywhere in the known world.

The poor quality of the arms (especially handguns) being made in Spain after WWI threatened that trade and was very much a factor in the decision to allow only a few makers to remain in business. To some extent, it was pointless, since the Civil War had already wrecked much of Spanish industry. Of course, reducing the number of arms makers also allowed the government to keep better control of production and distribution of weapons, always a goal of a dictatorship.

Jim

Doc Hoy · December 6, 2014, 04:44 PM

Thanks for the two informative posts.

They prompted me to drag down a RRB from Placencia in .43 Spanish. One of these days I am going to find out once and for all what the actual caliber (Spanish or Reformado) is and get to reloading for it.

Gaucho Gringo · December 6, 2014, 05:31 PM

How does Santa Barbara fit in this? Was it one of the companies allowed to stay in business or was it in a different area of Spain?

James K · December 6, 2014, 10:29 PM

It doesn't. Santa Barbara was not used as a trade name until the 1950's on rifles and actions supplied to the trade by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara, in La Coruña. FWIW, I was once told that "Santa Barbara" was a commercial name for arms actually made by the Spanish government arsenal in La Coruña. That was not illegal, just a way for the Spanish government to keep people employed and gain foreign exchange without doing so openly.

Jim

December 6, 2014, 01:46 PM	#26
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	The hotbed of Spanish firearms manufacturing was in the Eibar area in Northern Spain. It had a double whammy against it from Franco's standpoint, in that Eibar is in the middle of the Basque region, which had been moving for greater autonomy and independence from Spain since the mid to late 1800s. During the Civil War the Basque region organized its own autonomous government, but it surrendered its troops Franco on the condition that the heavy industry assets in the region not be touched. Eibar was still heavily bombed, thousands of civilians were injured or killed, and after Franco assumed power, he violated his agreement, shut down most of the manufacturers in the region (Star, Astra, and two others). Some were combined into the 4 that were allowed to continue manufacturing, but for the most part they were simply shut down and the machinery either moved or destroyed. Franco's government also exerted extreme control over the region to prevent a resurgence of Basque nationalism, which did happen after Franco's death and the re-establishment of the monarchy in 1975. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 6, 2014, 04:44 PM	#28
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Mike and James Thanks for the two informative posts. They prompted me to drag down a RRB from Placencia in .43 Spanish. One of these days I am going to find out once and for all what the actual caliber (Spanish or Reformado) is and get to reloading for it. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

December 6, 2014, 05:31 PM	#29
Gaucho Gringo Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 366	How does Santa Barbara fit in this? Was it one of the companies allowed to stay in business or was it in a different area of Spain? __________________ 357 Taurus Gaucho, 22 Heritage RR, 2-Pietta 1858 44 NMA Remingtons, Pietta, Euroarms & ASM 36 1851 Navies, 31 Uberti 1849, 12 ga H&R Topper, 16 Ga Western Field, 43 Spanish Remington Rolling Block, 44 ASM Colt Walker, High Point C9 9mm, Winchester 1906 22, Rossi 62 22 rifle, Uberti 1860, H&A & IJ 32 S&W BreakTop, 36 Euroarms 1858, 32 H&R 04, 22mag NAA SS BP revolver, .44 Rodgers & Spencer, IJ 38 S&W BreakTop, IJ 22 Sealed 8

December 6, 2014, 02:49 PM	#27
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It would be very difficult to list all the makers that were not allowed to resume production, but three handgun makers were - Bonifachio Evcheverria (Star), Gabilondo (Llama), and Unceta (Astra), all in the Basque region, though that area had not generally supported Franco. As Mike says, political considerations were important, but there is little doubt that quality was a major consideration, since weapons played a major role in Spain's foreign trade and Spain had had an excellent reputation for arms quality, as far back as supplying the Roman legions with the best steel swords (the gladius hispaniensis) then available anywhere in the known world. The poor quality of the arms (especially handguns) being made in Spain after WWI threatened that trade and was very much a factor in the decision to allow only a few makers to remain in business. To some extent, it was pointless, since the Civil War had already wrecked much of Spanish industry. Of course, reducing the number of arms makers also allowed the government to keep better control of production and distribution of weapons, always a goal of a dictatorship. Jim

December 6, 2014, 10:29 PM	#30
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It doesn't. Santa Barbara was not used as a trade name until the 1950's on rifles and actions supplied to the trade by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara, in La Coruña. FWIW, I was once told that "Santa Barbara" was a commercial name for arms actually made by the Spanish government arsenal in La Coruña. That was not illegal, just a way for the Spanish government to keep people employed and gain foreign exchange without doing so openly. Jim