Esperanza y Cia facts for kids

Esperanza y Cia, SA (Ecia) was a company in Spain. It made equipment for defense. The company was located in Markina-Xemein, a city in the Basque Country. From the start, Ecia mainly focused on making mortars and their ammunition. Mortars are a type of weapon used to fire shells at a high angle.

History of Ecia

The company, Esperanza y Cia SA (Ecia), started in 1925. It was founded by a well-known businessman named Juan Esperanza Salvador [es]. He was also one of the people who started another company called Astra-Unceta y Cia SA. Ecia used the knowledge that Juan Esperanza Salvador and Juan Pedro Unceta [es] had gained before.

At first, Ecia made guns. They used a patent from another company. Then, they designed their own semi-automatic pistol, called ECIA. They also made a light machine gun. In 1933, the company moved to Marquina.

During the Spanish Civil War, the Basque Government took control of the company. They moved the factory to Derio and then to Bilbao. This was to keep it safe from the fighting. After the war, the company moved back to Marquina.

In the 1940s, Ecia started making many more infantry mortars. They also made ammunition for these mortars. These products helped the company grow a lot. During Second World War, Ecia sold weapons to Germany. They tried to sell weapons to Egypt, but this plan was not approved.

In 1978, Ecia was the biggest arms exporter in Spain. This means they sold more weapons to other countries than any other Spanish company. Seven of the top ten Spanish weapon makers were from the Basque Country at that time.

In 1980, a group from ETA attacked a convoy carrying company materials. Six civil guards who were protecting it were killed in the attack. In 1985, ETA also killed José Martínez Parens. He was the head of security for the company.

The arms industry faced big problems in the 1980s. There was less demand for weapons both in Spain and from other countries. Ecia changed its name to Esperanza y Cia Explosives. It partnered with Unión Explosivos Río Tinto, which bought 40% of its shares. This helped the company survive through projects like the Euromortar.

In 1986, there were claims that Ecia got military technology from Israeli companies. Ecia said this was not true. There were also claims that Ecia used prisoners of war from the Spanish Civil War as forced labor. The company's reputation also suffered. This was because of claims about selling weapons to countries in conflict, and also because of attacks on their property and managers.

The main owner of Ecia, ERT, went bankrupt in 1992. Because of this, Esperanza Y Cia. closed its main factory in Markina in 1994. A small part of its research teams joined Alaveses Explosives-Expal [es]. This company also closed in 2004. About 20 workers from Ecia started a new company in Markina in 1995. It was called Ecia-Xemein and made metal parts.

Products Ecia Made

Firearms

In the late 1920s, Ecia made test versions of a double-action pistol. They also made a machine gun. An ECIA Model 1927 machine gun was shown at an exhibition in San Sebastián. It could fire 180 rounds per minute.

Mortars

Ecia made mortars since it started in 1925. After the Civil War, making mortars became their main focus. Countries like Guatemala and Chile used modern Ecia mortars. Besides the mortars themselves, Ecia also made different types of ammunition for them. This included high explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds. They also made training ammunition and special ammunition for fighting people or vehicles.

Valero 60mm model 1926

This mortar was used by the Spanish army starting in 1926.

• Caliber: 60 mm

Valero 50mm model 1932

This model was used by the Spanish army starting in 1932.

• Caliber: 50 mm
• Ammunition weight: 780 g
• Range: 50 to 1000 m
• Weight: 7 kg

Valero 81mm model 1933

This mortar was used by the Spanish army starting in 1933. It replaced the 60mm model as a battalion weapon.

• Caliber: 81 mm
• Ammunition weight: 4 kg
• Maximum range: 3250 m
• Weight: 63 kg
• Tube length: 1.2m

120mm "Franco"

Ecia started making this mortar in 1942.

• Caliber: 120mm
• Weight: 85 kg
• Maximum range: 6400 m
• Firing Rate: 3 shots per minute

Valero-Ecia 1942 models

Valero-Ecia 120mm mortar 1942 model.

Ecia made 81mm and 120mm models of this mortar starting in 1942.

Ecia models 1951

These Ecia models replaced the older Valero mortars. They were lighter. Ecia made 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm versions.

Ecia model 1951 81mm

This mortar could be carried by four people or a mule. It could also be used on vehicles.

• Caliber: 81 mm
• Ammunition weight: 3.935 kg (explosive) 4.154 kg (smoke)
• Range: 200 to 3145m
• Fire Rate: 10 to 30 shots per minute
• Elevation: 49.5° to 89.5°
• Weight in position: 66.37 kg

Ecia model 1951 120mm

This mortar was transported by being pulled behind a vehicle.

• Caliber: 120mm
• Ammunition weight: 16.55 kg (explosive) 17.7 kg (smoke)
• Range: 600 to 6400m
• Fire Rate: 5 to 10 shots per minute
• Elevation: 49.5 ° to 89.5 °
• Weight in position: 321.62 kg
• Tube length: 1m

Ecia Models C, C-2 and L 60mm

The C model was called the "Commando." It was made for special operations teams. The C-2 version was used on vehicles. The L version had a bipod, which helped it shoot further (up to 2000m). These mortars were light enough for one person to use.

• Caliber: 60mm
• Ammunition weight: 1.428 kg (explosive, smoke) 1.966 kg (illuminating)
• Maximum range: 1060 m (C, C-2) 2100 m (L)
• Firing rate: 30 shots per minute
• Elevation: 49.5 ° to 89.5 °
• Weight in position: 5 kg (C) 10 kg (L)
• Tube length: 650mm

ECIA Models L and L1 81mm

These mortars had a tripod instead of the usual bipod. A team of three people could carry them when taken apart.

• Caliber: 81.35 mm
• Ammunition weight: 4.13 kg (N) 3.2 kg (NA)
• Maximum range: 4100 m (L) 4500 m (L)
• Firing Rate: 15 shots per minute
• Weight in position: 43 kg (L) 45 kg (L1)
• Tube length: 1.15m (L) 1.45m (L1)

ECIA Model L 105mm

This was a larger mortar with a round base. It was designed to be pulled by a vehicle on a two-wheeled trailer.

• Caliber: 105mm
• Ammunition weight: 9.2 kg (HE)
• Maximum range: 7050 m
• Firing Rate: 12 shots per minute
• Position weight: 105 kg
• Shipping weight: 239 kg
• Tube length: 1.5m

ECIA Model SL and L 120mm

These mortars were also transported using a two-wheeled trailer.

• Caliber: 120mm
• Ammunition weight: 16.745 kg (N-HE) 13.195 kg (L-HE)
• Maximum range: 5000m (L / N-HE) 5940m (L / L-HE) 5700m (SL / N-HE) 6660m (SL / L-HE)
• Firing Rate: 12 shots per minute
• Position weight: 123 kg (SL) 213 kg (L)
• Shipping weight: 257 kg (SL) 316 kg (L)
• Tube length: 1.6m

ECIA L65/120

ECIA L-65/120 mortar of the Spanish Army on a M-113.

See also

In Spanish: Esperanza y Cía. para niños

• Astra-Unceta y Cia SA - another company founded by Juan Esperanza Salvador [es].