Mendi Replica Spanish Dueling Pistols

[SC_Slowhand]

Big Brown (UPS) just delivered a second Mendi Replica of a late 17th Century Dueling pistol. I have the top one since June and bought the second on Gun Broker. These are .36 cal and this one looks like she has been on duty as a wall hanger for some time.

She's got a little bit of surface rust starting and needs a bit of cleaning. I still haven't been able to find out anything about these old replicas other than .... Mendi went out of business a while back.

Any information regarding Mendi would be appreciated. Normally dueling pistols are in .50 Cal. These are a bit unusual.

 

[Bluehawk]

Interesting that the shape of the triggers and trigger guards are different.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Not A Pair



Pistol #1 has the number 12119 placed twice on the side.


In between the 2 numbers, inside a half crescent or oval is the number 12 followed by + M with a / mark and another M.



On the barrel, underneath are the numbers 25 and 25, as seen.



On the right side is says Mendi Made in Spain.



The second Mendi, has the name MENDI, then the same 12 + M/M marking then only the number 25535.



I removed the barrel and found the number 24 inverted , then 9... repeated twice.


Made in Spain is on the bottom of the barrel, at the front.



The second Mendi has had a few hours cleaning. Ballistol works great on the wood. I cleaned the barrel and nipple, she wasn't cleaned very well since she was fired last. But she is starting to come around.



She is 17 inches long, with a 12 1/2 in barrel. The 1st one is 16 1/2 inches long, with a 11 1/4 barrel. The 1st one has a smaller base on the grip. Plus the brass trigger guard is larger.

The guy I bought the first one from said he had bought her in 1978. The owner of the second one said he had no idea and just bought it recently. Number 1 has a 12119 serial number. The second one has 25535.

So if anyone out there has any information regarding these two replicas or an owners manual for a Mendi of this type please let me know.





I had plenty of offer to help on this little project. Good thing they don't have thumbs.

 

[Jaymo]

The trigger guard on the second Mendi looks like the one on my CVA/Jukar Colonial pistol that I got out of layaway today.

 

[BHP FAN]

the cats are not an exact matched pair, either. both pairs are however, very nice.

 

[Chawbaccer]

The numbers on the bottom are inspectors markings, you will note they are both on the barrel and the breech plug, as is the serial number.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

M /M

Jaymo
Chawbaccer

I just ran into a third one with the same markings or lack of….I’m surprised they don’t have the Eibar Proofing House mark on them. M M is the proof mark for Mateo Mendicute. The Number 12 I believe is a model number. Mateo Mendicute was a Basque Gunsmith. Along with two other companies (Ugartechea and Higos de V. Aram Berri) who used to manufacture firearms for sale in the Basque Country of Spain, in Vizacaya or the Ardesa area.

I’ve used Traditions Assembly and Instructions Manual for their Kentucky Pistols and other manuals to get an idea concerning disassembly and reassembly. It’s not that difficult.

Mendi, Jukar, CVA (Gone… Deer Creek bought their parts inventory) and Traditions (Until they started carrying Piettas) all come from Ardessa in Spain and many of their parts are the same.

These Mendi’s were produced before Spain signed the CIP treaty (1991) that made proof marks and other identification standard. Of course the Basque’s have always been an independent sort.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Mendi 3


I just got #3 on Gun Broker. 4 1/2 in barrel. .36 cal.

 

[arcticap]

Here's some trivia that I came across about the meaning of the name "Mendi".

In Spanish, Basque and German it's a female name, the meaning of which is a reference to the Virgin Mary.
So I guess that makes it right & proper to refer to them as your gals.


http://www.babynology.com/meaning-mendi-f60.html
http://www.babynology.com/meaning-mendi-f8.html
http://www.babynology.com/meaning-mendi-f24.html

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Mendi

Articap

LOL Fair enough.



These Old Spanish Ladies are like peacocks. Some beauty, ornate engraving and scroll work. Until one gets on their "bad" side. Then it's "Madre Mia" time.


Nothing near some of the work I have seen on some of the Basque, Spanish, Italian, German or English Shotguns. I could buy a car or two for what they cost.