Today on Gus’ Gear, as promised, a Spanish made revolver, chambered for the 10.35x22mmR Ordinanza Italiana black powder cartridge. When studying weapons used in the Great War, the most common phrase that one encounters is “Due to shortages of weapons…” Every nation involved in the conflict at some point found that they did not have an adequate supply of weapons. France, The United Kingdom and Italy all turned to Spanish arms manufacturers in the Eibar region to supply them with some of the weapons they needed. Spanish law allowed firms in Spain to copy designs that were not covered by Spanish patents. They based the revolvers sold to Italy and The United Kingdom on the Spanish M1884 which was based on the Smith & Wesson Model 3 top break revolver.
The left side of the revolver shows the simple number “P2” that has been stamped on most of the parts. This revolver was manufactured by Orbea Hermanos (Orbea Brothers) and shipped to F. Tettoni in Brecia, Italy. It is marked on the top of the barrel “Revolver Mod 1916 Cal 10-35.” There is another number just above the grip on the left side that could be a serial number and the P2 is more likely an assembly number. The holster is a canvas version of the M1889 Bodeo holster.
The right side shows the trademark stamped in the frame above the grip, and also cast in the top of the grip. This is a top break, double action revolver that can be use as a single action as well. The cylinder turns freely unless the hammer is cocked. This is a flaw that can cause an already fired cartridge to line up for an important shot as the cylinder can easily rotate when the revolver is removed from the holster.
This photo shows the action opened and the ejector extended. This makes reloading faster than the Bodeo revolver as all spent cartridges are ejected at once. When the action is opened all the way, the ejector retracts, ready to reload.