Charola y Anitua
Charola y Anitua · Pistol · Discontinued · 1897
Also known as: Charola-Anitua, Charola, Pistola Automática Charola y Anitua
Overview
The Charola y Anitua is one of the earliest Spanish semi-automatic pistols, made in Eibar from 1898. Essentially a scaled-down 'pocket Broomhandle,' it copies the Mauser C96 layout with a box magazine ahead of the trigger guard and an external hammer, using a short-recoil action with a moving locking wedge that disengages after a few millimetres of travel. It was offered in a tiny 5mm cartridge and, later, a more substantial 7mm.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 572 g (20.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 230 mm (9.06") |
| Barrel Length | 104 mm (4.09") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 314 m/s (1030 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 89 J (66 ft·lbf) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 5mm Charola y Anitua · primary — also known as 5mm Clement, 5mm Charola
- 7mm Charola y Anitua — also known as 7mm Charola
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip
- Features: C96 Style Layout, Magazine Ahead Of Trigger, Stripper Clip Fed, External Hammer
Production
Estimated total produced: 5,000 · Production years: 1898-1905
Roughly 3,000 in 5mm and 2,000 in 7mm; total estimates range up to ~8,400
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1905
Notes
Anitua left the firm in 1900, after which Charola continued alone with the larger 7mm chambering. The final 5mm production (about 400 units) was made in Belgium, where the cartridge became known as the 5mm Clement after Charles Clément adopted it. 7mm examples are very rare and were made in both fixed-internal and detachable-box forms.
Background
Essentially a pocket-sized Broomhandle Mauser, the Charola y Anitua was among the very first Spanish self-loaders; its diminutive 5mm cartridge later moved to Belgium and lived on as the '5mm Clement' after gunmaker Charles Clément adopted it.