In House Shipping:
Make: Antonio Errasti, Eibar, Spain
Model: “L-ERRASTI”, typically referred to as a “Ruby”
Serial Number: 10143
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1914-1936
Caliber: 7.65mm (.32 ACP)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: The left of the frame is marked “F” and “S” above the trigger. The right of the frame is marked with the serial number “10143”. The left of the slide is marked “AUTOMATIC PISTOL CAL 765 / L-ERRASTI”. The bottom left of the grip frame is marked ““SPAIN””, denoting it was imported into the US. The sides of the frame, and the top and sides of the slide exhibit rudimentary but pleasing undulating and wavy line factory engraving.
Barrel Length: 2.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low blade integral to the slide. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear of the slide. Both sights are in a groove along the top of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth genuine mother of pearl panels. There is a sizable chip missing from each bottom corner of the left grip panel. There is a vertical crack running from the screw hole to the upper spine of the right grip panel. The pearl has yellowed with age. The grips are slightly loose, we did not tighten them to avoid cracking. The grips have some other light handling wear with a few nicks and scrapes. Overall, the grips are in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Factory Engraved, Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly gray. The rifling is strong. The bore shows no erosion, but the grooves have some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 8/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish remains strong throughout with only a slight fog to the nickel. The engraving is strong. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool-marked with strong slots. The grip screw on the right panel is somewhat stripped. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one vintage original nickel plated 6-round mag that is unmarked.
Our Assessment: A variety of 7.65mm (.32 ACP) unlocked blowback pistols, all categorized as the “Ruby”, were produced in Spain during WW1 for the French government. The basic design was an enlargement of the FN Model 1905/1906 automatic pistol. Approximately 40 different manufacturers made approximately 1 million “Ruby” pistols. Although a general design format was followed, there was little standardization leading to numerous variations in size, weight, and quality. Ruby pistols accepted by the French were stamped with a star or set of stars on either side of the magazine release which indicated acceptance of a foreign weapon. Additionally, manufacturer codes were stamped on the left rear of the frame and on the base of the magazine. Spanish Ruby pistols without any such marks are generally acknowledged as having been made after the Great War as small, inexpensive pocket pistols. Those crafted with factory engraving, nickel plating, and pearl grips were intended for sale to wealthier individuals. Almost all of those small independent Spanish gunmakers went extinct after the eruption of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
This Factory Engraved, Nickel & Pearl Spanish Errasti “Ruby” Semi-Auto Pistol was made between 1914-1936 and is in Fine Condition. It features a 2.5” barrel, 95% of its original nickel finish, with rudimentary but pleasing undulating and wavy line factory engraving at the sides of the frame, and the top and sides of the slide, genuine mother of pearl grips, one vintage original nickel plated 6-round mag, and a mostly gray bore with strong rifling and no erosion (the grooves have some stubborn fouling). The bottom left of the grip frame is marked ““SPAIN””, denoting it was imported into the US. This small pocket piece is a wonderful example of a high end Spanish Errasti “Ruby” pistol.