Gaztañaga Destroyer

Lore & Background

The Gaztañaga Destroyer was designed by Isidro Gaztañaga in Eibar, Basque Country, in 1913, chambered in .25 ACP. It was produced by Gaztañaga y Companía in Eibar. The pistol bears the name "I.G" and is a copy of John Browning's 1906 pistols. It is notable for its Eibar Type safety located above the grip. A .32 ACP version was later produced for the French army during World War I. The standard magazine was designed for nine rounds, but production models used only six or seven. The .25 ACP round was not very powerful and was of use only at very close range. The barrel length is 2 inches (5.1 cm) and the overall length is slightly over 4.25 inches (10.8 cm).

Reader's Guide

The Gaztañaga Destroyer holds significance as a common Spanish handgun of the early 20th century, directly copying John Browning's 1906 design. Its small size—with a barrel of 2 inches and overall length slightly over 4.25 inches—made it easily concealable. This concealability led to its issuance to Spanish fifth columnists during the Spanish Civil War. The pistol's .25 ACP caliber was limited in power, effective only at very close range. The production of a .32 ACP variant for the French army during World War I indicates its adaptation for military use. The discrepancy between the standard nine-round magazine and the actual production capacity of six or seven rounds reflects a practical modification during manufacturing. The Eibar Type safety, located above the grip, is a distinctive feature of Spanish handguns of the period. Overall, the Destroyer represents a regional adaptation of a successful international design, serving both civilian and military roles in early 20th-century Spain.

Did You Know?

• It was issued to Spanish fifth columnists during the Spanish Civil War due to its small size and easy concealability.
• A .32 ACP version was produced for the French army during World War I.