ALDAZABAL José
Spanish pistol model "Imperial" in caliber 6.35 mm manufactured for or by the company José Aldazabal of Eibar, engraved with gold and mother-of-pearl plates.
No photo of possible punches or markings.
The Eibar region flooded the market with generally cheap pistols of often decried quality, especially before, during and after WWI. Nearly a million Ruby-type pistols and copies of revolvers (notably Colt and S&W) in 8 mm were sold to France during WWI.
The weapon in question obviously has no military destination since it is a pistol in caliber 6.35 mm often called "Eibar type" (a very simplified copy of the Browning 1906?).
According to Ian V. Hogg and John Weeks in their book "Pistols of the World", it seems that the "Imperial" pistols were manufactured by Tomas de Urizar y Cia of Eibar on behalf of the company Hijos de José Aldazabal whose initials JA appear on the grips.
There is a safety at the rear of the frame and a disassembly button just above the trigger.
The weapon has been engraved in gold in the typical Spanish (Toledo) style.
The Urizar company of Eibar was active between 1900 and 1921. The Imperial model is said to date from 1914.
Note that the "Imperial" brand was also registered by the following Spanish firms: Gregorio Bolumburu and Toribio Zulaica (official registration no. 20552).
Attached are photos of Imperial 1910 and 1914 pistols in the "popular" version. The 1914 model is in fact identical to the engraved model (admittedly without the inscription on the breech).
GP and MD
