.44 Spurless Euskaro

Many Spanish arms makers constructed and marketed revolvers using the trade name ‘Euskaro’. These include such notables as Orbea Hermanos, Crucelegui Hermanos, Tracola, Aranzabal Cia, & Esprin Hermanos (Esprin Brothers) etc... Many were based on Smith & Wesson designs, but examples can also be found based on other notable designs – particularly Colt. They were produced between the 1880's and the Spanish Civil War. Although much cheaper than the original S&W, these revolvers are regarded as being of acceptable quality as a self-defence gun.

It is very difficult to date Spanish antique firearms because of the scarcity of reliable information. Many documents and historical references were destroyed in the Spanish Civil War – so to find any interesting historical connections when researching an antique Spanish arm, I find particularly satisfying... ALL ‘Euskaro’ - whatever the original they were copied from have a common factor – the barrel address. The correct text on top of the barrel reads as follows:

"Smith & Wesson cartridges are those that fit best the "Euskaro" revolver".

The only part of the barrel address that changes is the cartridge designation i.e. a Colt derived design would start with: “Colt cartridges are those...”

Virtually all these handguns were produced around the Basque Eibar Region of Spain, and the term ‘Euskaro’ means literally ‘language of the Basque’. You do not speak ‘Basque’ - it is ‘Euskaro'.

Examples of ‘Euskaro' can be seen online by visiting the ‘Museo de la Industria Armera’ in Gupuskoa, Eibar, Spain, and the excellent ‘REME Museum of Technology’ Weapons collection.

The revolver for sale here today is based on the S&W First Model Double Action, with the early cylinder length of 1 7/16^th inches for the .44 Russian cartridge, and carries the barrel address as noted above. Otherwise the only markings of significance are an assembly numbers on the cylinder and the frame beneath the grips and an old ‘Armamentos’ registration number stamped on the right side of the frame. This was a sort of firearms registration system used in many South American countries and indicates that this gun has spent at least part of its life there, not surprising when you consider Spain’s historical connection with this area.

Difficult to date Spanish arms – but I would put this one as around the turn of the century to about 1910, and it has seen intensive use. It has, shall we say ‘been to see the Elephant’ - and then gone back to have another look...

I should think it has been refinished/refurbished/repaired several time in its busy life – and has been nickel plated at least once, as flashes of this finish are showing though the current blue were it has worn away with the acid action of the hands and holster and general use and wear: by no means a pretty gun! See Pics. Cylinder chambers and bore exhibit some pitting commensurate with age and use and the rifling although still visible suggest that this revolver has seen extensive use. Nice grips – of the correct type – but not I think original to this gun.

You will have noted that this revolver is a ‘Spurless’ (no hammer spur) variant –see Pics – and thus is only for double action use. Revolvers of this type were developed for use in confined spaces or concealed carrying, where the hammer could get caught on objects or clothing. For example the revolvers carried in tanks were normally DA only Spurless models. I must say I found it surprising when researching this old beast just how many Euskaro have shrouded hammers or are Spurless.

Mechanically this revolver surprised me – it has without doubt been subject to repairs in its long life, but it functions surprisingly well! The frame lockup on top break revolvers like this is often sloppy, and the frame is generally flexed or ‘peened’ to tighten it up. This I am sure has happened to this one because it is tight. Indexing is spot on and cylinder lock up very good, with only minor play - as is the rebounding hammer - and the auto eject system functions perfectly.

Comes with an old ‘tanker’ type holster as shown – wrong type and period - but a pretty fair fit!

Please note that the S&W Russian cases shown in the picture are simply to demonstrate the action, and as per the rules of this auction site are not included in the sale.

This revolver is chambered for the S&W .44 calibre Russian revolver cartridge: this is an obsolete calibre. The age of this item, plus the fact that this calibre is regarded as ‘obsolete’ - means that it complies fully with UK legislation, and can be regarded as an antique under section 58(2) of the Firearms act with no license being required; as long as the item is held as a curiosity or ornament .

Any questions gladly answered, and prospective purchasers should remember that this is an antique but fully functioning item – not deactivated in any way – and is about 100 years old: please look at the pictures, read the script and ask any questions before you bid please – not after…

UK SALES ONLY PLEASE.

Please add £15 towards postage, packing and insurance.

© KIRIMON February 2010