Garate Anitua L'Eclair
Garate, Anitua y Cia · Pistol · Discontinued · 1900
Also known as: L'Eclair, Eclair
Overview
The Garate Anitua L'Eclair is a Spanish six-shot, double-action-only pocket revolver of the Velo-Dog type, built in Eibar by Garate, Anitua y Cia and chambered in the diminutive 5.5mm Velo-Dog cartridge. Marketed under the French-flavoured 'L'Eclair' (Lightning) trade name from about 1900 to 1914, it uses a folding trigger and a shrouded/concealed hammer for snag-free pocket carry, making it a compact personal-defence weapon rather than a service arm.
Specifications
| Action Type | Double Action Revolver |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Only |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 200 m/s (656 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 40 J (30 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 5 m (5 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Hard Rubber |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 5.5mm Velo-Dog · primary — also known as 5.5x29.6mmR, 6mm Velo-Dog, Velo-Dog Calibre
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Loading Gate Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Double Action Only Trigger
- Features: Folding Trigger, Shrouded Hammer, Pocket Size, Snag Free Design, Solid Frame, Six Round Cylinder
Service history
Operators
- Civilian market
Production
Production years: 1900-1914
Sold as one of Garate, Anitua y Cia's numerous pocket-revolver trade names; exact figures for the L'Eclair are unknown.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1914
Notes
One of the many small folding-trigger Velo-Dog pocket revolvers turned out by Eibar workshops for the export self-defence trade in the years before World War I. Barrel length, weight and overall dimensions are not documented for this specific trade name.
Background
The Velo-Dog cartridge that feeds the L'Eclair was invented so bicyclists could scare off aggressive dogs, its name a mash-up of 'velocipede' and 'dog'; Eibar makers like Garate Anitua dressed their cheap copies in glamorous French names such as 'L'Eclair' to sell into the export market.