Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special - The Firearms Forum

Thundar · 09-04-2005, 10:53 PM

I am trying to find out some history and the value of a friends gun. It is a Spanish 38 Special. The side of the barrel is marked with "FA DE TROCAOLA ARANZABAL Y CIA EIBAR (ESPANA)". The top of the barrel is marked with "FOR 38 SPECIAL AND US SERVICE CTG". The serial number (1992xx) is stamped on the butt. The craftsmanship is pretty poor. The blueing is about 80%, some browning and some pitting. It has wood grips with a checkered pattern. The bore still looks pretty good.

inplanotx · 09-05-2005, 08:21 AM

Xracer should be along any minute. He is our resident expert on these Spanish Eibar saturday night specials.

Xracer · 09-05-2005, 08:57 AM

From about 1910 to the mid 1930's there was a cottage industry in the Eibar region of Spain.....literally dozens and dozens of small manufacturers turning out Ruby-type semi-automatic pistols, copies of the Browning Model 1903, and copies of various Colt and Smith & Wesson double action revolvers.

Yours appears to be a copy of the Colt Police Positive.....probably made sometime in the 1920's.

I'm not familiar with this particular maker, but that's not at all unusual......there were so many of them, and they went in and out of business, and sometimes changed their names.

Value? These Spanish Colt & Smith copies have little collector interest and are in the $50-75 range.

If you're planning on shooting it (which I dont recommend), I'd stick to low powered .38 Spl. target-type loads.

Thundar · 09-05-2005, 10:59 AM

Thank you

donjuan · 06-12-2012, 04:22 AM

I own a T.A.C. revolver I picked up at a gun show. It is nickle plated with angled grips. It has been hand tooled by a previous owner. A well done job. The gun looks great, showing little wear, and yes it fires well with 38spl light loads. I love it and stand behind mine all the time. I use it to back up big brother S&W 357mag.

Jim K · 06-12-2012, 05:13 PM

This thread dates to 2005, but for the record, I think the original responses were too kind. Those Spanish guns were cheap, mainly cast iron, and I know of several that have blown up with normal ammunition (not +P or +P+). I am glad yours works OK and hasn't come apart, at least not yet. But I have to recommend not firing it.

Jim

09-04-2005, 10:53 PM	#1
Thundar Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4	Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special I am trying to find out some history and the value of a friends gun. It is a Spanish 38 Special. The side of the barrel is marked with "FA DE TROCAOLA ARANZABAL Y CIA EIBAR (ESPANA)". The top of the barrel is marked with "FOR 38 SPECIAL AND US SERVICE CTG". The serial number (1992xx) is stamped on the butt. The craftsmanship is pretty poor. The blueing is about 80%, some browning and some pitting. It has wood grips with a checkered pattern. The bore still looks pretty good. Attached Images --> Last edited by Thundar; 09-04-2005 at 11:13 PM..

09-05-2005, 08:21 AM	#2
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special Xracer should be along any minute. He is our resident expert on these Spanish Eibar saturday night specials. __________________

09-05-2005, 08:57 AM	#3
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special From about 1910 to the mid 1930's there was a cottage industry in the Eibar region of Spain.....literally dozens and dozens of small manufacturers turning out Ruby-type semi-automatic pistols, copies of the Browning Model 1903, and copies of various Colt and Smith & Wesson double action revolvers. Yours appears to be a copy of the Colt Police Positive.....probably made sometime in the 1920's. I'm not familiar with this particular maker, but that's not at all unusual......there were so many of them, and they went in and out of business, and sometimes changed their names. Value? These Spanish Colt & Smith copies have little collector interest and are in the $50-75 range. If you're planning on shooting it (which I dont recommend), I'd stick to low powered .38 Spl. target-type loads.

09-05-2005, 10:59 AM	#4
Thundar Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4	Re: Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special Thank you

06-12-2012, 04:22 AM	#5
donjuan Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1	Re: Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special I own a T.A.C. revolver I picked up at a gun show. It is nickle plated with angled grips. It has been hand tooled by a previous owner. A well done job. The gun looks great, showing little wear, and yes it fires well with 38spl light loads. I love it and stand behind mine all the time. I use it to back up big brother S&W 357mag.

06-12-2012, 05:13 PM	#6
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Trocaola Aranzabal 38 Special This thread dates to 2005, but for the record, I think the original responses were too kind. Those Spanish guns were cheap, mainly cast iron, and I know of several that have blown up with normal ammunition (not +P or +P+). I am glad yours works OK and hasn't come apart, at least not yet. But I have to recommend not firing it. Jim