Francisco Arizmendi
With fixed sights, blue trigger and safety latch, push button magazine release, grip safety and checkered hard rubber grips. The left side of the barrel is marked "AUTOMATIC PISTOL/BOLTUN PATENT". The pistol is pictured and identified by serial number in J. Howard Matthews "Firearms Identification: Vol III" page 228, plate 1915. This pistol was from the famous Sydney Aberman Collection
Manufactured by Francisco Arizmendi, Eibar, Spain - Spanish blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol. Externally identical to the Pieper of 1907 but with minor mechanical differences. Blued finish with smooth wooden grips. Fixed sights. Weapon weighs approximately 12.5 ounces. With 6-round detachable box magazine.
Markings:
Frame: AUTOMATIC PISTOL/BOLTUN PATENT. (Right): Spanish proofs. 4705.
Notes:
"ARIZMENDI, Eibar, Spain - Originally founded in the 1890s, the company was
reformed in 1914 and manufactured semiautomatic pistols." - Schwing.
"Two differing models bear this name: the first, in 6.35mm calibre, resembles the Pieper of 1907. Close examination shows that it lacks the hinged barrel of the Pieper and is simpler, though retaining a separate Pieper-type bolt moving the receiver with a thumb-grip above the receiver top. Its only marking is AUTOMATIC BOLTUN PATENT on the slide. The second model, in 7.65mm calibre, is a copy of the Browning of 1910 and is practically the same as the 9mm Walman. The slide inscription reads AUTOMATIC PISTOL BOLTUN PATENT MARCA REGISTRADA 7375 CAL 7.65. - Hogg & Weeks.
References:
Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. PISTOLS OF THE WORLD. 3rd Ed. DBI Books, Inc. Northbrook, Il. 1992.
Schwing, Ned. 1998 STANDARD CATALOG OF FIREARMS. 8th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 1998.
Francisco Arizmendi
Magazine 6 cartridges, length of the barrel 6,5 cm, breech + barrel 12 cm (only one part), height 8 cm. Approximately 1 cm thickness (it is very flat), 7 stripes (enough deep, it was useful little). The breech, mobile, has a retractable striker maintained in position sunken by a helical spring. A rubber disc in bottom of the carcass is used to damp the breech in its back movement. The extractor is on the right side of the breech. The ejector on the left in the breech. The spring recuperator is placed with the top of the barrel. Astute system which uses the retreat to make move back the breech and this spring to bring back the whole ahead.
The disassembling of breech/barrel is obtained while pressing on the button in front of the carcass. Very simple. One releases the whole to the top then forwards.
The machining of the breech is very precise. Steel appears of good quality. Bronzing was remakes.
A safety prevents the hammer (which strikes the striker when one draws) to fall, including when one rather strongly supports on the trigger. It is in all the ways rather hard. In open position the inscription “Feu” appears on the carcass, which undoubtedly shows that this weapon was planned for the French market.
I find it very near to Pieper to before 14.
TTesson
I confirm: Boltun: mark used by F. Arizmendi on its pistols semi-auto.
HPH
In appendix an assembly presenting on the one hand Boltun 6,35mm, and on the other hand “Dismounting” and the “Tilting” of Nicolas Pieper.
The differences in structure are obvious. Boltun 6,35 is thus not a pure and simple copy of the pistols of Nicolas Pieper.
There is also Boltun in 7,65mm Browning and one in 9 mm Short, copied, him, from the FN Browning 1910.
Michel
In top: the Spanish pistol Boltun; in the center, “Dismounting” of Nicolas Pieper; in bottom, the model Nicolas Pieper 1909, known as “Tilting”.
Boltun copy of FN 1910