Hey guys, wondering if anybody can tell me about a nice ruby pistol I picked up, I don't have much to go off right now.
Slide says Gabilondos Y Urresti-Elgoibar-Ruby Cal765
Serial 1099xx with a F to the right of the serial number on the frame.
Left side of the gun behind the grip there is a G.U. encircled. I believe I red that was one of the military inspectors marks.
There is no rivet on the slide for a safety guard like most French pistols had.
That is all I have to go on right now, should have gotten more pictures but was in a hurry that day, I'll post the pics I have if I can figure out how to do so from my phone.
Any help is appriciated.
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I'm not sure if it is a French contract model or not, I read somewhere that the G.U. was one of the French military acceptance or inspectors marks
---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:36 AM ----------
It also has Plexiglas grips on it, I know some examples of ww2 used italian ruby's had Plexiglas grips over oiled paper but not sure about French contract models or commercial models. This one's has no paper, just clear to the magazine
Most of these do not have French acceptance marks but went to the French anyway. Only the early war guns were marked for the most part. As the war progressed, these little extras were too time consuming. I have one Ruby. Made in Spain, sold to France, captured by the Germans, put into a Polish holster and brought back by a US soldier. I've since picked up a proper French holster for it, they cost nearly as much as the pistols do. The Polish VIS holster was a nice bonus. I'll keep it for the story but without papers, that's all it is.
"Gabilondos y Urresti was the original creator of the 9-shot ruby model in 1914. Upon receiving the initial French armed forces contract in 1915, it became the prime contractor and most important company in Ruby pistol manufacture. These pistols sometimes have a GU in an oval marking on the left grip tang and magazine marking." Spanish Handguns by Gangarosa
Your handgun is not one of the earliest models. The company moved from Eibar to Elgobar sometime after the initial production started, perhaps they needed more room for the government contract. The company still exists as Lhama Gabilondos y Cia It is pretty well guaranteed to be a French contract pistol as they could not keep up with the demand the French required.
Most of these do not have French acceptance marks but went to the French anyway. Only the early war guns were marked for the most part. As the war progressed, these little extras were too time consuming. I have one Ruby. Made in Spain, sold to France, captured by the Germans, put into a Polish holster and brought back by a US soldier. I've since picked up a proper French holster for it, they cost nearly as much as the pistols do. The Polish VIS holster was a nice bonus. I'll keep it for the story but without papers, that's all it is.
"Gabilondos y Urresti was the original creator of the 9-shot ruby model in 1914. Upon receiving the initial French armed forces contract in 1915, it became the prime contractor and most important company in Ruby pistol manufacture. These pistols sometimes have a GU in an oval marking on the left grip tang and magazine marking." Spanish Handguns by Gangarosa
Your handgun is not one of the earliest models. The company moved from Eibar to Elgobar sometime after the initial production started, perhaps they needed more room for the government contract. The company still exists as Lhama Gabilondos y Cia It is pretty well guaranteed to be a French contract pistol as they could not keep up with the demand the French required.
Appriciate the lesson, figured it was french used, just wanted some input. This is the first French military arm I've added to the collection, hoping next for a lebel or a Berthier.