Arizmendi Kaba Special
Francisco Arizmendi y Goenaga · Pistol · Discontinued · 1914
Also known as: Kaba Spezial, Kaba, Pistolet Automatique Kaba Spezial
Overview
The Arizmendi Kaba Spezial is a Spanish Eibar vest-pocket semi-automatic pistol chambered in .25 ACP (6.35mm) and patterned after the FN/Browning Model 1906. Manufactured by Francisco Arizmendi (and earlier under Arizmendi y Goenaga) in Eibar, it was produced under contract for the Berlin dealer Karl Bauer, who applied the 'Kaba Spezial' trade name derived from his own initials. Like other inexpensive Eibar pocket pistols, it used a simple striker-fired straight-blowback action, a fixed barrel, a heel-mounted magazine release, and fixed sights, and was sold widely on the European civilian market.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 350 g (12.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Barrel Length | 54 mm (2.13") |
| Height | 80 mm (3.15") |
| Width | 22 mm (0.87") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 230 m/s (755 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 86 J (63 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 15 m (16 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .25 ACP · primary — also known as 6.35x16mm Browning, 6.35mm Browning, .25 Auto
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Heel Magazine Release, Fixed Sights, Vest Pocket Size, Fixed Barrel, Internal Striker
Production
Production years: 1914-1936
Produced under Francisco Arizmendi (and earlier Arizmendi y Goenaga) until the Spanish Civil War; exact totals unknown.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Francisco Arizmendi
Discontinued: 1936
Notes
The Kaba name derives from Karl Bauer, the Berlin dealer who marketed the original German Kaba Spezial made by August Menz of Suhl. The Spanish Kabas by Arizmendi were not exact copies of the German pistol and differed in slide and barrel contours. The same basic .25 ACP pocket pistol was sold by Arizmendi under several trade names including Roland, Singer, Gecado and Ydeal.
Background
In the early 20th century dozens of small Eibar workshops mass-produced cheap Browning 1906-pattern .25 ACP vest-pocket automatics under a profusion of trade names sold across Europe; the Kaba Spezial, made by Arizmendi for the Berlin dealer Karl Bauer, was one of them.