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Astra/Spanish ruby

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  • jmfillin1

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    So I recently purchased this. It was advertised as an Astra 500, but I can find no info on it. It's in rough shape, but I liked the age on it and it's super comfortable to hold. It has 1928 stamped under the grips, so I'm guessing it's the date. My best guess was a model 1914, but the model 1914 seems to have different slide serrations and different grips. Any info would be greatly appreciated, I took pics of most of the proofs that I could find. I know some of the basic proof marks, but can't decipher the scrolled initials next to the 1928 date, nor the other lettering. So long story short, I like this gun but I have no clue what it is exactly. My best guess is astras version of the Spanish Ruby, but I can find no pictures of it online.
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    FrommerStop

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    It really looks like a ruby type pistol that were used by the french. They were made by various manufacturers. Perhaps that is a post war specimen meant for commercial sale. When new and fitted with a correct magazine they gave good service in trench warfare. The war time ones were .32 ACP.
     

    fl57caveman

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    It really looks like a ruby type pistol that were used by the french. They were made by various manufacturers. Perhaps that is a post war specimen meant for commercial sale. When new and fitted with a correct magazine they gave good service in trench warfare. The war time ones were .32 ACP.

    in search, I found one in like shape, $230
     

    jmfillin1

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    That's what I'm thinking as well, a Ruby of some sort. It is .32 Cal, it just has strange markings all over. And it's been the only gun in my collection I haven't been able to pinpoint 100%.

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    fl57caveman

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    I had a WW2 French officers sidearm once, .32acp, took it apart once, pretty easy...


    two hours later back together...not something you want to field strip

    mabd2.jpg
     

    jmfillin1

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    It wasn't too bad, once I figured out that I had to turn the barrel counter clockwise to pull it. I can strip most guns I've handled without much researching, but I got stuck on the barrel part of the stripping process on this thing. Had to resort to the YouTube. Lol

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    FrommerStop

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    It wasn't too bad, once I figured out that I had to turn the barrel counter clockwise to pull it. I can strip most guns I've handled without much researching, but I got stuck on the barrel part of the stripping process on this thing. Had to resort to the YouTube. Lol

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    when I was about 12 I completely disassembled my step father's .32 spanish automatic, that is the hammer and disconnector and every spring and screw out. It was harder putting it all back together, but I managed without and spare parts left over. They are usually very simple designs. He traded a few cartons of cigarettes for it about the end of WWII in Italy for it when he was in the merchant marine.
     

    jmfillin1

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    Awesome story. And you're right, it's a pretty simple and straight forward design.
    when I was about 12 I completely disassembled my step father's .32 spanish automatic, that is the hammer and disconnector and every spring and screw out. It was harder putting it all back together, but I managed without and spare parts left over. They are usually very simple designs. He traded a few cartons of cigarettes for it about the end of WWII in Italy for it when he was in the merchant marine.

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    FrommerStop

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    Awesome story. And you're right, it's a pretty simple and straight forward design.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FrommerStop View Post
    when I was about 12 I completely disassembled my step father's .32 spanish automatic, that is the hammer and disconnector and every spring and screw out. It was harder putting it all back together, but I managed without and spare parts left over. They are usually very simple designs. He traded a few cartons of cigarettes for it about the end of WWII in Italy for it when he was in the merchant marine.

    The brand name was victoria IIRC.
     

    indy1919a4

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    when I was about 12 I completely disassembled my step father's .32 spanish automatic, that is the hammer and disconnector and every spring and screw out. It was harder putting it all back together, but I managed without and spare parts left over. They are usually very simple designs. He traded a few cartons of cigarettes for it about the end of WWII in Italy for it when he was in the merchant marine.

    That is one cool story, Do you still have the Pistol???
     

    indy1919a4

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    So I recently purchased this. It was advertised as an Astra 500, but I can find no info on it. It's in rough shape, but I liked the age on it and it's super comfortable to hold. It has 1928 stamped under the grips, so I'm guessing it's the date. My best guess was a model 1914, but the model 1914 seems to have different slide serrations and different grips. Any info would be greatly appreciated, I took pics of most of the proofs that I could find. I know some of the basic proof marks, but can't decipher the scrolled initials next to the 1928 date, nor the other lettering. So long story short, I like this gun but I have no clue what it is exactly. My best guess is astras version of the Spanish Ruby, but I can find no pictures of it online.

    Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

    Love the Astra Ruby family of pistols.. Classic early automatic lines. There is a case to be made that a Astra Ruby is the Firearm that Henry purchased as his sidearm in Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms"..
     

    jmfillin1

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    Can't say I've read that one yet, but I'll add it to the list .
    Love the Astra Ruby family of pistols.. Classic early automatic lines. There is a case to be made that a Astra Ruby is the Firearm that Henry purchased as his sidearm in Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms"..

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    FrommerStop

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    Does your Step Dad still have it...?? Is it still a part of the family...?? Could you see it again if you wanted..??

    It was stolen during a burglary some years ago. He would be over hundred today if he was still alive. My mother just made a hundred last month, but most people do not. If it had not been stolen I might have ended up with it or one of my half brothers would have gotten it. A WWII bring back T-33 russian pistol was also stolen at that time.
     

    indy1919a4

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    It was stolen during a burglary some years ago. He would be over hundred today if he was still alive. My mother just made a hundred last month, but most people do not. If it had not been stolen I might have ended up with it or one of my half brothers would have gotten it. A WWII bring back T-33 russian pistol was also stolen at that time.

    Yuck that's beyond a bummer,, I hate thieves..
     
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