Spanish s&w clone

[Joe6112]

30756I recently inherited a S&W clone with a 4 1/2 barrel. No markings other than " made in Spain" and serial number on the bottom of the handle and "113" stamped on the barrel under the ejector rod. It looks like a .38. The family story is that it was my Uncle's who was killed in action in the Spanish Civil War. Anyone have any knowledge of pistols such as these? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

[PhillipM]

Probably a S&W copy made by Ruby which are generally considered very unsafe to fire due to poor steel. If you open the cylinder there may be additional markings on the frame.

[joem]

I have some Spanish firearms but they are military models. Quality is quite good and I guess the steel is good. Perhaps those guns made for export were the cheaper type and poorer quality.

[wiley]

Probably chambered for 38 Largo, same dimensions as 38 Spl but much more lightly loaded.

[Tuna]

Closer to the 38 Long Colt in dimensions and in power. May of these would chamber a .38 spl. Do not do it as they were not considered to be safe to shoot the .38 spl.

[joem]

Probably chambered for 38 Largo, same dimensions as 38 Spl but much more lightly loaded.

The largo that I'm familiar with is a rimless case. I do have a 1921 Star that will shoot 9mm largo or 38 auto.

[wiley]

http://mobile.gunauction.com/search/mobile_displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10223293

[Tuna]

The 38 Largo is the old 38 Long Colt which is the round that failed to live up to expectations in the Philippines against the Moro's and caused the Army to recall the .45 Colt single actions out of storage. A lot of times the .38 Long Colt would not penetrate the bamboo the Moro's used for body armor. The .45 Colts took care of that even when the Moro's were hopped up on drugs.

[joem]

[QUOTE=Tuna;414065]The 38 Largo is the old 38 Long Colt which is the round that failed to live up to expectations in the Philippines against the Moro's and caused the Army to recall the .45 Colt single actions out of storage.


I have a few very old cases that are marked 38 L colt. It is a rimmed case whereas the Largo is a rimless case at least for my few firearms that are marked 9mm/38 largo.

[Ron James]

Most of these Spanish S&W/Colt look a likes were chambered in either 32-20 or 38 Special. There are a few 38 S&W and even a few S&W 32 Long but very few. These were made for export to the US in the 1920s up to the mid 1930's. As such, they were chambered in popular common American cartridges. I've really never seen one chambered in 9MM Largo. The steel in these guns is a crap shoot. The large makers such as Star, LLama and Astra used steel that was equal to any used in Europe, however there were dozens of small makers working out of cow sheds that used steel that was either soft or brittle. I have herd of them blowing up with blanks. If the maker is not marked then me, myself and I would hang it on the wall. Life is hard enough and with problems with out the loss of one or both of your eyes. However your gun, your decision.