Dfariswheel
New member
Some reading over on the S&W forum indicates that "Marcas Registradus" is actually Latin, not Spanish, and means Registered Trademark.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Need help with a S&W double action revolver
- Thread starter Doc Hoy
- Start date
"Marcas Registradas" is Spanish, and means "Registered Trademarks". It was used because many of the fake S&Ws were sold in Spanish American countries, and S&W wanted to emphasize that the markings on their revolvers were registered, and that any similar markings on non-S&W revolvers were counterfeit.
S&W's various actions helped them, but the real kibosh was put on those cheap Spanish guns by the Spanish government in the late 1930's when Franco decided to protect what was left of the reputation of the Spanish arms industry by simply ordering most of the bad makers to close.
Jim
S&W's various actions helped them, but the real kibosh was put on those cheap Spanish guns by the Spanish government in the late 1930's when Franco decided to protect what was left of the reputation of the Spanish arms industry by simply ordering most of the bad makers to close.
Jim
Mike Irwin
Staff
Franco's actions were also done in a effort to consolildate and protect his power.
Many of the firearms manufacturers were located in areas that had actively opposed Franco.
Many of the firearms manufacturers were located in areas that had actively opposed Franco.
Mike Irwin
Staff
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.
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.
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
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
Gaucho Gringo
New member
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?
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
Jim