Echave Arizmendi Selecta M1918

Echave, Arizmendi y Cia (Echasa) · Pistol · Discontinued · 1918

Also known as: Selecta, Selecta Model 1918, Selecta M1919

Overview

The Echave Arizmendi Selecta M1918 is a Spanish blowback semi-automatic pistol chambered in .32 ACP, built in the Basque arms town of Eibar by Echave y Arizmendi. One of the innumerable Browning-pattern Eibar pistols of the era, it was marketed as a 'double safety' model, combining a manual safety lever with a hinged automatic safety beneath the trigger. The firm patented the design in January 1918 and offered it in both 6.35mm and 7.65mm Browning chamberings for the civilian and export markets.

Specifications

Weight (empty)650 g (22.9 oz)
Weight (loaded)740 g (26.1 oz)
Overall Length150 mm (5.91")
Barrel Length85 mm (3.35")
Height105 mm (4.13")
Width28 mm (1.10")
Sight Radius115 mm (4.53")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity8 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity290 m/s (951 fps)
Muzzle Energy195 J (144 ft·lbf)
Effective Range25 m (27 yd)
Maximum Range100 m (109 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Production

Production years: 1918-1936

Produced by Echave y Arizmendi in Eibar; arms manufacture ceased around the Spanish Civil War and resumed post-war as ECHASA.

Origin

Country of origin: Spain

Discontinued: 1936

Notes

The Selecta name was also applied to a 6.35mm (.25 ACP) vest-pocket version. Like most Eibar-made pistols, build quality varied between workshops, and the design closely follows the Browning FN Model 1906/1910 layout.

Background

Eibar's gunmaking workshops flooded the world with cheap Browning-pattern .32 pistols during and after the First World War, and trade names like 'Selecta' were stamped on otherwise generic blowback automatics to lend them an air of premium quality.