Vol. X No. 2
From Argentina on Special Duty: The Supply of Ballester-Molina Pistols to the British Military during the Second World War
Mark Murray-Flutter
Abstract
This paper traces the little-known story of the British military’s acquisition of one particular model of handgun, which was intended for use by British irregular forces during the Second World War: the Ballester–Rigaud, subsequently and more commonly known as the Ballester-Molina. These pistols were supplied to the British by the Argentine firm Hispano Argentina Fábrica de Automóvil SA (HAFDASA; literally ‘Hispanic Argentine Automobile Factory SA’) based in Buenos Aires. This article explores the background to the contract, examines how it was set up and the issues encountered in managing it, as well as looking at the quantities ordered, the cost of the handguns, the trials of their manufacture and export, and how they were shipped to Britain. Although difficult to fully evidence, the use of the Ballester-Molina pistol will also be examined.
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Issue: Vol. X No. 2
Published: 31 December, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52357/armax60137
Peer-reviewed?: Yes
Keywords: Ballester-Molina pistol, handguns, Argentina, United Kingdom, Second World War
Bibliographic Information
Mark Murray-Flutter, ‘From Argentina on Special Duty: The Supply of Ballester-Molina Pistols to the British Military during the Second World War’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. X № 2 (2024), pp. 1–24, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax60137>.
About the Author
Mark Murray-Flutter started his career at the Tower of London and is now the Senior Curator of Firearms at the Royal Armouries Museum, having curatorial responsibility for the Hunting, Sporting, and Civilian collections. In 2015, he curated a Waterloo exhibition, Waterloo: The Art of Battle, writing the exhibition catalogue and lecturing on the art of Waterloo at the Royal Academy. He currently writes a column for the sporting magazine, The Field. He is considered a leading authority on the history of firearm markings and codes, and has recently published research examining the Welrod pistol and its use during the Second World War.