Ruby pistol

Lore & Background

In 1914, just before the First World War, Gabilondo began manufacturing a self-loading pistol based on the Browning Model 1903, chambered for the 7.65mm Browning cartridge. Unusually for the time, the magazine held nine shots instead of the usual six or seven. The pistol was intended for export to the Americas, designed with military and police sales in mind. The Ruby, apart from its extended magazine, appears to be a direct copy of a pistol called the "Victoria" made by Esperanza and Unceta, which used features patented by Pedro Careaga in 1911 and by Esperanza and Unceta in 1912, possibly covering a frame-mounted safety and an internal striker instead of a hammer.

In 1915, Gabilondo sent examples to the French government, who were hard-pressed for small arms. After testing in May 1915, the French accepted the Ruby and contracted Gabilondo to produce 10,000 pistols a month. The target was later raised to 30,000 and eventually 50,000 per month. Gabilondo arranged for four partner companies to manufacture the Ruby, and later added three more. Estimates of Gabilondo Ruby production range between 250,000 and 300,000 pistols. While most Gabilondo contract pistols were of good quality, others were less well made.

As French demand grew, the procurement process spiraled out of control. At least 45 other companies contracted directly with the French to produce Ruby-type pistols in various calibres, barrel lengths, and magazine capacities. French officials insisted manufacturers mark magazine bases to prevent interchangeability problems, as few Ruby-types had interchangeable magazines. Many Ruby-type pistols suffered from poor finish and incorrectly hardened steel parts, leading to dangerous "runaway gun" situations and faulty safety mechanisms. Despite these issues, the basic Ruby design, when properly manufactured, was regarded as reliable and accurate, though some users were disconcerted by the lack of a visible hammer.

Reader's Guide

The Ruby pistol's significance lies in its massive production and widespread use during the First World War, where it became a standard French military sidearm. Its large magazine capacity for a .32 ACP pistol was an advantage, making it popular as a backup weapon for trench warfare troops and as standard issue for telephonists, stretcher bearers, machine-gun crews, tank crews, mortar crews, and rear-echelon personnel. The weak cartridge gave little recoil, making it easier for novices to use effectively.

However, the Ruby's legacy is complicated by severe quality control issues among the many subcontractors. The lack of standardization between manufacturers led to widespread incompatibility of spare parts, making maintenance difficult. The pistol's reliance on a single safety and lack of a visible hammer made it dangerous to carry cocked and locked; early models could come off safety when holstered, leading to the addition of a large protruding stud on the slide.

After the First World War, Ruby-types continued in use through the Second World War, particularly by Spanish and French Maquis and their Vichy opponents. The design directly influenced the FN Model 1910/22, a nine-shot version developed for Yugoslavia, which had previously been issued Ruby-type pistols. Several French commercial pistols by M.A.B and Unique were also heavily influenced by the Ruby. Gabilondo ceased production in 1919, but other firms continued until the Great Depression wiped out many arms producers.

Did You Know?

• The Ruby pistol was closely modeled after John Browning's 1903 Pocket Hammerless design produced by Colt.
• The French Army decommissioned the Ruby in 1958.
• About 710,000 Ruby-type pistols were accepted by the French from all sources.
• During the Nazi occupation of World War II, the Germans continued manufacture of the gun but altered the design with an external hammer.