Arizaga Pinkerton
Gaspar Arizaga · Pistol · Discontinued · 1915
Also known as: Pinkerton
Overview
The Arizaga Pinkerton is a Spanish blowback-operated semi-automatic pocket pistol chambered in .32 ACP, manufactured by Gaspar Arizaga in Eibar. It belongs to the broad family of inexpensive Eibar-type 'Ruby' pistols derived from John Browning's FN Model 1903 and Colt Model 1903 designs, which Basque gunmakers produced in large numbers in the early 20th century. Pinkerton was one of several trade names under which Arizaga sold its pistols for the civilian export market.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 865 g (30.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Barrel Length | 85 mm (3.35") |
| Height | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Width | 28 mm (1.10") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 183 J (135 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .32 ACP · primary — also known as .32 Automatic, 7.65x17mm Browning SR, 7.65mm Browning
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Sights, Internal Hammer
Service history
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
Production
Production years: circa 1915-1936
Part of the wider Eibar/Ruby pistol output; roughly a million Ruby-type pistols were made in Spain across all makers
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Gaspar Arizaga
Discontinued: 1936
Notes
Pinkerton was a brand/tradename used by Gaspar Arizaga alongside Mondial/Mundial (Misdial), El Faro, El Gallo and Warwinch. Pistols were also offered in 6.35mm (.25 ACP), and a longer-barrelled 'Navy' model (190mm overall, 119mm barrel) existed. Standard .32 ACP specs (152mm overall, 85mm barrel, ~865g, 9-round magazine, checkered walnut grips, fixed sights, bottom-of-frame magazine release) per Eibar/Ruby reference sources. Arizaga produced roughly 16,000 pistols for France in WWI and closed at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Background
When the French Army desperately needed sidearms in WWI, dozens of small Eibar workshops like Arizaga's churned out Browning-pattern .32 pistols under colorful brand names, of which Pinkerton was one, evoking the famous American detective agency to appeal to export buyers.