IF DEEP-POCKET investment is a bellwether for the future of the Spanish gun trade, then fine firearms aficionados have much to look forward to. American tycoon Rafael A Pinedo and London resident Ricardo de Serdio have both acquired Eibar gunmaking names once considered moribund. The Spaniards have raised themselves up and the resulting revival strongly suggests they have at last found their place in the sun.
Some readers may be asking themselves why a renaissance? Have the Spaniards been in a slump? Following the Second World War, Eibar’s ability to clone British designs was the basis of her success. These copies were made at a fraction of the cost of the guns imitated. At the time, Spain was the poorest country in western Europe and factory workers were paid a pittance. After Spain’s transition to democracy, Eibar’s aspirations shot sky-high. Gunmakers demanded compensation on a par with Europe’s other traditional fine firearms making centres. Some companies resorted to shortcuts to keep prices low, which only weakened Spain’s reputation for smart but affordable doubles. Many efforts at reorganisation came after, but none have proven successful at producing guns that compete with entry-level guns manufactured in Turkey.
