Spanish Webleys: ‘Pistol, OP No.1 Mk.1 & No.2 Mk.1′
In 1915, as the high attrition rate of World War One began to take its toll, the Entente Powers became increasingly aware of the logistical crisis facing them. The number of weapons lost daily was vastly out pacing the number produced. The pre-existing industrial bases of France and Britain had to be rapidly expanded. In the meantime, however, stopgap measures were sort and neutral Spain’s historic experience in small arms manufacture was quickly identified as a resource to be tapped.
Spain’s Basque region had a prolific small arms industry with dozens of manufacturers producing copies of European and American guns from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols. A number of Entente nations turned to Spain to fulfil their ever increasing need for weapons. The French had contracts for both revolvers and Ruby Automatic Pistols from a number of Basque factories near the city of Eibar.
The Eibar region’s gunmakers profited from a loophole in Spanish patent/copyright law which stipulated that designers and manufacturers must produce their design in Spain or the patent will lapse after three to four years. This allowed the dozens of small gun factories to produce direct copies of popular firearms with relative immunity.
By late 1915 the British Ministry of Supply were aiming to purchase one million revolvers from various manufacturers. Three manufacturers, Orbea Hermanos, Garate, Anitua y Cia (GAC) and Trocaola, Aranzabal y Cia (TAC), were selected to produce revolvers. The British prefered revolvers over semi-automatic pistols and a suitable break-open revolver design was sought. The revolver design selected was based on the Smith & Wesson Model 3 which the Spanish Army had adopted as the M1884.
The British revolvers were chambered in the British .455 service cartridge and designated the ‘Pistol, Old Pattern’ or ‘Pistol, OP’. Like the Webley revolvers in British service the Pistol, OP could be fired double or single action and had a 6-round cylinder with a top-breaking hinged frame. They had 5-inch barrels and weighed approximately 32oz (907g).
Orbea Hermanos were the main contractor forming a syndicate with GA and TAC acted as subcontractors. The Ministry of Munitions ordered 30,000 revolvers in August 1915. The patterns of the two OP pistols were approved in November 1915. The lack of parts interchangeability was anticipated and not expected of the manufacturers. The differences between the two patterns is external as both used the same lock work and 7-groove rifling (one right hand turn in 20 inches).
As the British government was purchasing S&W clones they were also purchasing more modern S&W revolvers, this is an example of a Canadian-accepted ‘Pistol, Smith & Wesson, .455, MkII’ (source)
The Garate, Anitua y Cia. model was officially designated ‘Pistol, Old Pattern, No.1 Mk.I,’ (see image #1) while the Trocaola, Aranzabal y Cia. model was designated the ‘Pistol, Old Pattern, No.2 Mk.I’ (see image #2). The two models were of the generally same pattern with some small differences in frame profile, grip shape and panels and trigger guard shape. These differences were the result of the Spanish style of manufacture which was not centred on a production line, this non-standardised production process led to variation not just at the factory level but also with individual gunsmiths hand fitting revolvers.
By July 1916 29,558 revolvers had been delivered, however, the rejection rate of these weapons was high and the Ministry of Munitions did not consider the Spanish manufacturers for further contracts. The main problem with the revolvers was that many of the hand fitted pistols were found to have overly large tolerances and poor finish. Pistols which were accepted have the War Office’s Broad Arrow mark and the Enfield inspectorate’s acceptance stamp on the frame, cylinder and barrel. The revolvers which did reach troops were allegedly nicknamed ‘Spanish Webleys’. It is unclear if they were issued to frontline troops, however, it is likely they were used for training and rear echelon sidearms - freeing up Webleys for frontline use. It appears that some Pistol, OP-type revolvers were privately purchased by officers with at least one example held by the Imperial War Museum. In August 1916, a further 500 Spanish pistols were purchased from Rexach & Urgioti, these are believed to have been Pistol, OP revolvers.
Ironically while purchasing clones of Smith & Wesson’s older designs the British (and Canadians) also purchased over 75,000 first and second model Smith & Wesson hand ejector revolvers as the Pistols, Smith & Wesson, .455, MkI & MkII. The British military declared the Pistol, OP revolvers obsolete in November 1921, some may have found their way into the hands of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Sources:
Images: 2
Handguns, J. Walter, (2013) [Source: image #1]
Handguns of the World, E.C. Ezell, (1981)
Pistols of the World, I. Hogg & J. Walter (2003) [source]
Revolvers of the British Services 1854-1954, W.H.J. Chamberlain & A.W.F. Taylerson (1989)
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