Archie
Member
Last gun show (first weekend of October, 2022) one of the other vendors I think came up to my table and offered a pistol. It is a typical Spanish (Basque) made item of the early era of the 20th Century.
Clearly of Spanish origin, the 'half moon' shaped charging serrations on the slide, the port side flat steel disconnector on the frame, rotary port side safety replaced grips from something else.
It looks like a knock off of the 1906 FN or Colt 1908 .25 Automatic. The gentleman wanted $50.00. As I did not have a Basque pistol in the inventory (I collect .25 and .32 ACP chambered pistols of that era) I bought it to add such to the collection and somewhat of a lark.
It is in rather used condition. The original grips are gone, as is the finish (bluing). It seems to be rust pitted enough to make the use of charging serrations unneeded. Almost.
I can see some imprint on the port side of the slide. However, the metal has been eroded and rusted to the point I cannot read it well. It is the typical two line inscription - I can made out the more or less marks.
The top line reads "[factory?] Armes de Guerre" which seems to me to be "Fabrique Armes de Guerre"; in English "Fabrication (plant) for Arms (weapons) of War". A rather common title for such. (Part of this I admit is my own presupposition.)
The bottom line reads "Jurala Marque de [huge rust pit]" I do speak and read Spanish, but I cannot find the meaning of "jurala". So in English this is ' "Jurala" (?) Marque of [De...(rust blotch over about two letters)...se]".My best guess is ' "Jurala" Marque de Depose'
The English translation (with admittedly a bit of guesswork on my part) is ' "Jurala (company) Mark (name, insignia, logo, identity of manufacturer) of [something, likely a registration or patent claim].
There is a logo to the right side of the above inscription featuring the head of a seeming knight with helmet under the motto (I think) "jubala".
What may be a proof or acceptance stamp is found high on the frame, just under the slide and nearly the rear of the pistol. It is a shield with what appears to be a stylized E within. The 'E' has a 'y' with a tail curving opposite to an English 'y'. It is as washed out as most everything else, and I cannot find anything in the 'gunmarks' book I have.
The only visible number marking is the two digit "84" on the starboard side of the frame, just above the trigger guard. It looks hand stamped and strike me more as an assembly number.
Here's the goofy part. I assumed this was in .25 ACP. It is the correct size. I must add all the external stampings of caliber, origin, manufacturer and such is to worn as to be illegible in any ordinary sense. It is in fact a rather small .32 ACP.
So. Does anyone know what this thing is? Any suspicions?
Clearly of Spanish origin, the 'half moon' shaped charging serrations on the slide, the port side flat steel disconnector on the frame, rotary port side safety replaced grips from something else.
It looks like a knock off of the 1906 FN or Colt 1908 .25 Automatic. The gentleman wanted $50.00. As I did not have a Basque pistol in the inventory (I collect .25 and .32 ACP chambered pistols of that era) I bought it to add such to the collection and somewhat of a lark.
It is in rather used condition. The original grips are gone, as is the finish (bluing). It seems to be rust pitted enough to make the use of charging serrations unneeded. Almost.
I can see some imprint on the port side of the slide. However, the metal has been eroded and rusted to the point I cannot read it well. It is the typical two line inscription - I can made out the more or less marks.
The top line reads "[factory?] Armes de Guerre" which seems to me to be "Fabrique Armes de Guerre"; in English "Fabrication (plant) for Arms (weapons) of War". A rather common title for such. (Part of this I admit is my own presupposition.)
The bottom line reads "Jurala Marque de [huge rust pit]" I do speak and read Spanish, but I cannot find the meaning of "jurala". So in English this is ' "Jurala" (?) Marque of [De...(rust blotch over about two letters)...se]".My best guess is ' "Jurala" Marque de Depose'
The English translation (with admittedly a bit of guesswork on my part) is ' "Jurala (company) Mark (name, insignia, logo, identity of manufacturer) of [something, likely a registration or patent claim].
There is a logo to the right side of the above inscription featuring the head of a seeming knight with helmet under the motto (I think) "jubala".
What may be a proof or acceptance stamp is found high on the frame, just under the slide and nearly the rear of the pistol. It is a shield with what appears to be a stylized E within. The 'E' has a 'y' with a tail curving opposite to an English 'y'. It is as washed out as most everything else, and I cannot find anything in the 'gunmarks' book I have.
The only visible number marking is the two digit "84" on the starboard side of the frame, just above the trigger guard. It looks hand stamped and strike me more as an assembly number.
Here's the goofy part. I assumed this was in .25 ACP. It is the correct size. I must add all the external stampings of caliber, origin, manufacturer and such is to worn as to be illegible in any ordinary sense. It is in fact a rather small .32 ACP.
So. Does anyone know what this thing is? Any suspicions?