Book Review: Pistolas y Subfusiles de la República Producción de Guerra

“Pistolas y Subfusiles de la República Producción de Guerra” is a new 580-page reference book about the pistols and submachine guns made in the Republican zone during the Spanish Civil War. It is written by three authors – Josep Mª Abad, Manuel Estirado, and Francisco Fuentes – and printed exclusively in Spanish. Unfortunately, my Spanish is not sufficient to read the text well enough to provide a real review, but I figure there are some folks who follow Forgotten Weapons who will be interested in it. So, I will show you what I can…

The book is split into half pistols and half submachine guns, plus short chapters on the general context of Spanish arms manufacturing and the production of ammunition during the war. For pistols, the chapters cover the Astra 400, CNT/FAI Ascaso, RE, Astra 400 copies without safeties, the Isard, and a brief section on “artisanal” handguns. The submachine gun section includes chapters on the Olot-Fontbernat, Labora,David Schmeisser, another MP28 copy, and the Erma EMP. The book includes a great number of photographs, including excellent details shots showing differences between features, the present condition of building which once housed manufacturing facilities, and period photographs and propaganda posters.

Get a copy for yourself here or email the authors directly to order a copy: maquinasrepublica@gmail.com.

13 Comments

    • Yeah, the popular vote won while central government is trying to suppress results. And previous revolution started in Cataluna too….

        • One thought which carries my hope is that weapons eventually end up being used by people against their oppressors. For that reason I do not see guns inherently bad. Long term results are not guaranteed however, it regularly gets back where it started 🙂

      • You should get better informed to have a trusty opinion, Dave.
        The present government of the richest part of Spain is trying to get independence through an illegal and staged poll, with the support of 48% of Catalonian people. They need foreign support, so they are trying to show themselves as oppressed democratic people, but it is all about money, a money they do not what to share with the poorer parts of the country.
        No idea of what previous revolution starting there are you talking about…

        • If Cataluna has no right for self-determination, how would you explain to me that Kosovo received (with overwhelming support of most of EU countries including Spain) its independence from Yugoslavia and without any referendum? Catalunans at least care for democratic process, although it may seem to ‘proceduralists’ as chaotic.

          • Yugoslavia has ceased to exist when Kosovo gained independence, via a bloody civil war that split Croatia and Bosnia from Serbia and Montenegro before.
            A chaotic process where 48% of Catalonian people at best, decide over 52% doesn’t seem a very democratic scenario.
            New wave fascists can disguise themselves as victims to gain sympathy and bypass laws, but soon or late they have to show their true face to the whole world.

  1. A friend of mine, Ramon Sender Barayon, wrote a book “A Death in Zamora” about his search for and discovery of how his mother was one of the many many many thousands murdered during that war. Always good, I believe, to remember and try to understand the context in which all this technology actually exists.

    • “his search for and discovery of how his mother was one of the many many many thousands murdered during that war”
      Citing M. Solonin: truth does not win, truth remain.

  2. What really strikes me is visual quality of the books Ian is presenting. There must be lifetime effort by authors behind it. I wish to have the space and resources….. and commitment. Muchas gracias!

  3. Any links or instruction for ordering the book?? It is nice to have a book review but it is better to get the book for one’s own library.

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