Martín Bascarán
Here is a semi-automatic pistol in 6.35 caliber of
Spanish manufacture and provided with Ličge punches.
It comes from the factories of Martin A. Bascaran in
Eibar. It is curious to note that the Thunder brand was registered in Spain by
another Spaniard, Alberdi, Telleria y Cia.
As mentioned above, we can see some Ličge hallmarks
on the breech:
Lion on PV: smokeless powder test between 1898 and
1968
R crowned: rifled barrel in use from 1894 to 1968
C under star: countermark of a controller between
1877 and 1968
Peron (little step) : inspection since 1853
ELG on star in crowned oval: acceptance between 1893
and 1968.
It is curious to note that the letter L in a grenade
indicating the foreign origin of a weapon presented to the Ličge Proof House, in
use since 1924, does not appear among the hallmarks. Perhaps the weapon was
passed to the belgian proofhouse before this date. Or that it was shipped "in
blank" from Spain, tested and then re-exported...
In the book by Iann Hogg and John Weeks "Pistols of
the World", we can read that the "Thunder" is in fact an improved version of the
"Martian" pistol of the same Martin A Bascaran of Eibar, launched at the
beginning of WWI.
The "Thunder" was sold until the end of the 1920s.
GP with the help of MD
Here is the "THUNDER" in question
Martín Bascarán
Spanish Constabulatory-style Bulldog Revolver manufactured by Martín Bascarán.
Calibre 500 Webley, barrel 4 7/8 inches, overall length 9 3/4 inches.
Manufactured c1885.
Marks on top of barrel: MARTIN AE BASCARAN EIBAR, on back of cylinder: 49,
Martin Bascaran
Spanish Rolling Block Pistol, cal. 45, serial #27, barrel 4 inches, overall length 8 1/2 inches, on frame inside of right grip stamped 27 , marked on top of barrel "FA DE MARTIN BASCARAN EIBAR" (part legible FA DE MARTIN BASC and part of EIBAR), minor engraving on action and on barrel - engraving on barrel still has some gold leaf.
Richard