Retolaza Velo-Mith

About the Retolaza Velo-Mith

The Retolaza Velo-Mith is a Spanish velodog-type pocket revolver produced by Retolaza Hermanos of Eibar in the early 20th century. A double-action-only design with a concealed internal striker and folding trigger, its reinforced frame was deliberately styled to resemble the FN/Browning Model 1900/1901 pocket automatic despite its revolver mechanism. Chambered for small self-defence cartridges — principally the 6.35mm Browning (.25 ACP) and 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) — it was one of several trade names, alongside Velo-Brom, Brompetier and Puppy, under which Retolaza marketed inexpensive concealable revolvers, primarily for export to the French civilian market.

Retolaza Hermanos was among the pioneers of pocket-firearm manufacture in Eibar, starting around 1890 with copies of the French bicyclist's 'Velo-Dog' revolver. The Velo-Mith carried that heritage into the automatic-pistol age, disguising an old-fashioned folding-trigger revolver behind a slabby frame made to pass for a modern Browning self-loader.

Retolaza Velo-Mith specifications

"Velo-Mith" (also rendered "Velosmith") was one of many fanciful export trade names applied to Eibar pocket velodog revolvers. Littlegun records the model with a square, oblique grip and a rear frame projection, chambered in 6.35mm and 7.65mm. Individual specimens vary; dimensions here are typical for the class.