Izquierdo Y Cia
Here is a functioning cut-away of what I believe was a
Spanish clone of the 1917 N Frame Second Model .38 SPL Hand Ejector revolver
made by Smith & Wesson. It carries a stamp on the left of the frame of a large
gun shop in Montevideo, Uruguay – but there is no indication of who exactly made
the revolver. Some of the parts look just like the S&W Hand Ejector parts,
others are slightly different, but the revolver functions just like the Hand
Ejector.
This has to be one of the most unique “revolvers” that
David and I have brought up from South America
This cut-away revolver
functions perfectly in both single and double action, the parts all function
just as they should, the cylinder cycles perfectly.
A piece of
frame was added so that there is no loading gate, thus no cartridge can be
inserted into a chamber. The only item that does not function like the original
revolver is the extractor star; it does “extract,” but there is no spring to
return it to its place in the rear of the cylinder; that has to be done
manually.
The barrel measures 4-1/2 inches (with actual rifling
inside), the overall length is approximately 9-1/2 inches. As is stamped on the
left side of the barrel, it is “chambered” for the .38 SPL cartridge. There is
actually a serial number: 2355 – stamped on the yoke, the frame inside the yoke
and on the rear of the cylinder. It makes me wonder if they took this revolver
off the assembly line to do the cut-out, or if they simply thought that a serial
number would make it look complete. The “in-the-white” metal of the whole gun
does show a bit of use and scuff marks; probably from being shown to hundreds of
customers. The gun shop that originally ordered this cut-away in Montevideo,
Uruguay was owned by the M. Izquierdo Cia (Company) and the gun shop was named
“Lima” – see the mark on the left of the action. Mechanically the revolver
functions as if it were new.
Richard
