Spanish 'RUBY' Pistol French Army Contract

[Bill Grist]

Enjoy this French Army Spanish 'Ruby' pistol cal 7.65mm/.32Auto.. Notice safe and fire in French... This one called 'IDEAL' Manufacture code A.G... Here is a list of the Codes for 'Ruby' Type pistols sold to the French....BILL

A: Gaspar Arizaga, Eibar. No trade name used.
AA: Azanza y Arrizabalaga, Eibar. "Reims", "Modelo 1916".
AE: La Armeria Elgoibaresa, Eligobar. "Lusitania".
AG: Francisco Arizmendi y Goenaga, Eibar. "Ideal", "Roland", "Brunswig".
AH: Acha Hermanos, Ermunda. Possibly no trade name used. Pistols marked Looking Glass seem to be post WWI.
AK: Fabrica de Armas Alkartasuna, SA, Guernica. "Alkar". "Kapitan".
AL: Aldezabal y Leturiondo, Eibar. No trade name used.
AZ: Arizmendi, Zulacia y Cia, Eibar. "Cebra". Some may be overstamped "Beistegui Hermanos".
BA: Fca. de Bersaluzze, Areito, Aurena y Cia. "Allies".
BH: Beistegui Hermanos, Eibar. "1914 Model Automatic Pistol".
CU: ?
CZ: ?
EC: ?
EU: Esperanza y Unceta, Guernica, "Model 1915 (or 1916), Astra Patent", "Brunswig Model 1916", "Victory".
GB: Gregorio Bolumburo, Eibar. "Regent", "Regina", "Gloria:.
GN: Garate, Anitua y Cia, Eibar. "Express", "Danton".
GU: Gabilondo y Urresti. "Ruby".
HE: Hijos de A. Echeverria, Eibar. "Vesta" (code may also be marked on slide), "Izarro".
I: Bonifacio Echeverria, Eibar. "Izarra".
IG: Isidrio Gatzanaga, Eibar. "Destroyer" (safety behind grip), "Indian".
IO: La Industria Orbea, Eibar. No trade name used.
IS: Iraola y Salaverria y Cia. No trade name used.
JE: Javier Echaniz. "Defender".
LC: Laplana y Capdevila. Trade names are unknown.
LH: Lasangabaster Hermanos, Eibar. Possibly "Douglas".
MB: Fa de Martin A. Bascaran, Eibar. "Martian".
RG: ?
RH: Retolaza Hermanos, Eibar. "Liberty", "Paramount", "Stosel", "Titan", "Titanic", "1914 Model Automatic Pistol".
V. Fabrica De Armas, Durango "Vencedor"
VB: Victor Bernado y Cia, Eibar. No trade name used. Some have extended barrels.
VD: ?
ZC: Zulaica y Compania, Eibar. "1914 Model", "Royal", "Vincitor".

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Very nice Bill. I love your collection.

[AboutTime]

I own a gun that I think belonged to my grandfather. It is a Ruby stamped with the word "SPAIN" on the exterior frame in front of the trigger. I have searched every part for identification marks. I found the letter "V" on the barrel when I pulled back the slide.

Some sights say "V" stands for "Fabrica De Armas, Durango "Vencedor" while another site says "VD" is their vendor code.





Did Fabrica De Armas make a "Stosel No 1 Patent" brand line?

I read the Retolaza Hermanos brothers who had been in business since the 1890's produced a "Stosel" according to Hogg and Weeks in Pistols of the World . That leaves me with the question about the "V" on the barrel.

[dwhit]

i have a pistol like this the only letters i see on is a sy on the barrel andon the very back of the frame right below the slide and on the left side in the very back right below the slide is a pv

[AboutTime]

I have not seen those French Codes. Now I wonder if the Spanish imported guns to the US after the war, did they continue to use the French Military Supplier codes?

[militarymania]

hi,,,i think i have a pistol mag for this type of pistol,,,mine has no markings whatsoever,,,can you post a pic of the left and right sides?...many thanks,,,Robert

[JPhilip]

Hello,
I shot this gun many times in the past.
The french Admiral Darlan was shot dead with one of these nice Rubys...
Thanks Bill

[COLT 1911A1]

Awesome piece anyway...
jphilip can you explain to us non Frenchmen, who Admiral Darlan was ?
Thanks in advance... Thanos

[sebfrench76]

He was a guy from "the dark side of the Force..."Some French here are still honouring his memory............
I let JPhilip give you real historical facts..

[Bill Grist]

François Darlan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia