Need help identifying a pistol
01-03-2016, 05:54 PM
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wabash, IN
Posts: 826
Need help identifying a pistol
This little .25acp belongs to a friend's Mother-in-law and we are trying to identify it's make and model. I'd say it dates back at least to the 50's (maybe earlier) Its only markings you can see on the enclosed pictures.
01-03-2016, 07:03 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,903
It LOOKS an awful lot like a Spanish made Arizmendi Protector since it has the straight grooving, as opposed to the curved grooves of the Regina's. There were a bunch of spanish models in the early 1900's on that Browning pattern.
BUT...
What's the farthest rearward proof mark on the rear of the frame? It looks an awful lot - in this poor picture - like an old school Colt marking. Based on the same pattern, the 1908 Colt Vest Pocket pistol looks very similar, but the slide lock selector in front of the grip looks like the Protector/Regina much more - the Colt VP had a slide lock safety at the rear of the grip and a grip safety to boot.
If that's a Colt mark - then your search gets a lot easier.
BUT...
What's the farthest rearward proof mark on the rear of the frame? It looks an awful lot - in this poor picture - like an old school Colt marking. Based on the same pattern, the 1908 Colt Vest Pocket pistol looks very similar, but the slide lock selector in front of the grip looks like the Protector/Regina much more - the Colt VP had a slide lock safety at the rear of the grip and a grip safety to boot.
If that's a Colt mark - then your search gets a lot easier.
Last edited by Nomercy448; 01-03-2016 at 07:12 PM.
01-03-2016, 07:25 PM
#3
Typical Buck
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wabash, IN
Posts: 826
The rearmost marking looks like a prancing lion or bull - upright on its rear legs with a long tail forming a "S".
The only slide lock is located directly in front of the grip on the left side and it locks into a notch located about 1/2 inch back from the front of the slide.
It is definitely marked Made in Spain on the left side of the slide
The only slide lock is located directly in front of the grip on the left side and it locks into a notch located about 1/2 inch back from the front of the slide.
It is definitely marked Made in Spain on the left side of the slide
Last edited by Mark whiz; 01-03-2016 at 07:34 PM.
01-03-2016, 08:47 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wabash, IN
Posts: 826
Thanks Nomercy448 - it looks like you got me on the right track. Did some googling on Arizmendi and other Spanish makers and I found an Isidro Gaztanaga a Eibar "Destroyer" with the exact 3 stampings at the back of the frame. The one I have is different in that it has none of the patent or name markings in the slide like most everything I saw on-line has, but it definitely appears to be from the Eibar region and it breaks down exactly like a Arizmendi model I watched being stripped on YouTube.
