Cometa company history 

The first official records we have about the manufacture of weapons in Eibar dates from the year 1481, a significant date, but there are indications that gun making actually began in the region even earlier. The Duke of Medina Sidonia and the Catholic Kings all ordered from Eibar armourers. They started in small craft workshops and in their own homes. In an electoral census of the early twentieth century, Eibar had 1,149 armourers. With regards to Cometa Airguns, they come from a line of people of entrepreneurial spirit and craftsman who formed an industry that crosses borders and that continues to this day.

The Basque artisans and their industries went through times of splendor and then of decline, having to adapt through industrial diversification. In the workshops of Eibar the artisans manufactured products ranging from corkscrews to shotguns, and from a sewing machines to bicycles. This particular way of looking at work — linking craftsmanship and therefore the work put into manufacturing was decisive in creating produces that cross borders and led to exporting products all over the world.

Comet Airguns is a family business based in Eibar that was founded in 1860 by Don Trifón Bascaran, and which was initially dedicated to the manufacture of “alarm weapons” that are what we know now under the denominations of “starter pistols”, “blank firing guns” and Flobert rifle systems. Interestingly, for a time they also manufactured cigarette rolling machines. In 1900 the Armas Trifón Bascaran company decided to expand production by manufacturing hunting shotguns and compressed air weapons. Years later, the factory was run by his son, Justo Bascaran and his partner Don Ignacio, who would focus production on hunting shotguns and compressed air rifles marketed under the brand names of Comet and Indian.

In 1940 the company changed its name to become C and T Bascaran S.L., which incorporated the initials of Don Justo's daughters.

Doña Concepcion and Doña Teresa Bascaran focused production on compressed air weapons. The production was initially sold entirely in the Spanish market, but from 1970 international expansion of its products began, reaching more than 35 countries and with 80% of its its production being exported. Countries with markets as demanding as the United States, England, France, Germany and Russia are just some of a long list. In addition, its products have been marketed under a variety of brand names including RWS and Browning Airguns, among others.

The company changed its name in 1990 for marketing reasons, calling itself Carabinas Cometa S.A. and it is currently directed by Don Guillermo and Doña Cristina Martiricorena Bascaran. Cometa compressed air weapons combine the artisan knowledge of more than a century of history with the most modern technology. The traditional manufacture of their cylinder heads and their excellent cold forged guns are appreciated by shooters from all over the world. They also emphasize the sturdiness and precision of their weapons and the absence of plastic components. When you have in your hands a Comet rifle or pistol after reading this article, we hope you appreciate the work and dedication of a family business that follows the traditions of the armourers of Éibar. Even with the development of mechanization, five centuries later each artisan still has his own specialty, whether it be making the stock or the barrel, or assembling the guns.