Help With Pocket Pistol ID

[Dan Forrester]

My neighbor came over today to show me a little pocket pistol he inherited. Here’s what’s printed on it:

Automatica Espanola - PATs 6204 Y 67577
“BUFALO†635 (.25CAL)

On the opposite side (I think the left) it has:

Made in Spain.

And the serial number is: 30XXX

The gun looks familiar, I think I’ve seen them or a similar design before. It also has a grip safety like on a 1911. The gun is pretty rough. It has very little rust, but has taken quite a few rounds and has seen some poor gunsmithing work, however it does fire.

Does anyone have any info on this gun, or it’s approximate value?

Thanks, Daniel Vaughn

 

[Jason Demond]

It's a copy of the Browning model 1906 pocket pistol. The Browning was made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium.

 

[Jason Demond]

BUFALO 635

 

[Jim K]

The Bufalo was one of many brands of cheap pistols turned out in Spain between about 1910 and the Spanish Civil War. They are generally similar to the FN Model 1906 and the Colt Vest Pocket pistol, but are invariably hammer fired (the Colt and FN are striker fired) and with safety catches that block only the trigger.

Millions of that type of gun were sold all over the world as pocket pistols for personal defense; fortunately, they were rarely needed for that purpose. They were usually made of cast iron or very poor steel and wear out quickly. Value is negligible (under $50) and there is almost no collector interest. Few gun shops will take these in trade or buy them. Parts are not available and ammunition is expensive.

If the gun has sentimental value, the owner might consider disabling it to prevent an accident and then keeping it as a memento. For shooting, a good modern .22 is recommended.

Jim

 

[Crownvicman]

Slightly on topic, buit why did the Spanish make pistols with those weird, curved slide serrations? I've seen them on Ruby and other Spanish pistols from the 1920's and 1930's.

 

[BluesBear]

Try those curved slide serrations with wet or oily hands and you think that maybe they did build a better mousetrap.

Other European countries dallied with curved serrations also. But I think that the additional time (and money) spent in producing them was abandoned for cheaper and faster straight serrations.

 

[Dan Forrester]

I forgot I posted this.

Thanks for the info guys. I didn’t really think that little pistol was worth anything.

Thanks, Dan