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.44

usedcarace
I own a Spanish .44 6-shot hinged frame revolver with the following info...
1)Marca Registada & logo on right side of frame
2) brown horn checkered grips w/circular 1914 on top of grips
3) "Spain" on front side of metal grip frame
4) 5" barrel
5) #1546 under grip on right side of grip frame
6) #459 on bottom of grip frame
7) looks very similar to S&W new model #3
8) this is what I am not sure about, along the top of the barrel is "Secret Service .44 cal"
can anyone shed any light on what this gun is and the meaning of the "secret service" notation.......thanks in advance, any info would be greatly appreciated
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • p3skyking
    It's a marketing gimmick, kinda like putting Impala on a Chevrolet.
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  • rufe-snow
    Secret Service was a Trade Name used by the Fred Bifar Co. This was a large Chicago based seller of sporting goods, in business until the early 1930's. A number of different handguns are found with this particular Trade Name, all so far have been relatively small, inexpensive personal protection revolvers.

    The Spanish revolver your inquiring about is attributed to the Orbea brothers of Eibar Spain. As they used the "1914" marked grip on their large caliber centerfire revolvers. This is a large holster type revolver much bigger in caliber and size then the ones that Bifar usually sold.
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  • hrf
    A couple of examples of Orbea Bros S&W copies are shown here:

    http://littlegun.be/arme espagnole/ancien artisan/a orbea hermanos gb.htm
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  • rhmc24
    I bought a "1914" like you describe off a GB auction about a year ago for $225. That was lower than most of these "S&W Copies" go for. It looked good and turned out to be excellent condition. Also it is a much better quality piece than most of the "copy" crop.

    I just have to say it -- about the only thing these "S&W Copies" have in common with old S&W is being a top break. Mechanism, feel, appearance and quality are in a different world than S&W.
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  • v35
    I loosened (stretched) the frame of a S&W first model D.A. copy within six shots using 40 gr Dupont FFFg in folded head 44-40 brass and 200 gr lead bullets.
    These revolvers sold in Sears Roebuck 1909 for $4.35
    If you must shoot it, use the lightest possible load below factory levels.
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  • rhmc24
    Memory lane again. J.L. Galef (Phila PA?) in the 1930s sent out a flyer that listed a no-name Spanish .44 S&W copy for $4.50. That's cheaper than a H&R .22 at the time at about $7.
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  • usedcarace
    thanks to you all for your input, you all just concreted what i already suspected. I have no plans to fire it, i primarily collect older guns and shoot my newer. Thanks Again, ya'll were a big help
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