[brzab-xd]

I inherited this .32 semiauto from my grandaddy who served in WWII. The only thing I can find engraved is "MILITARY AUTOMATIC 32 CALIBRE". There is a serial number under the slide:50878 Any help would be appreciated.
http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/30/466/6/ ... ERC_th.jpg

 

[Fuelburns2]

It looks like a 1903 Colt pocket hammerless to me. I think your picture is a bit distorted. Does it look like this or does your pic accurately depict the dimensions of the gun?

 

[brzab-xd]

Here are, I hope, some better photos. I'm almost sure it's a Colt but there are some slight differences:
http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/52/452/3/ ... iyW_th.jpg
http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/30/466/0/ ... Jxy_th.jpg
http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/50/550/4/ ... DFM_th.jpg

 

[brzab-xd]

Let me try this again:
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/7377/ ... 500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/10995 ... 500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/8068/ ... 500Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/7925/ ... 600Q85.jpg

 

[Rev.]

Im not so sure its a Colt. It was certainly made to look like a Colt, but there is no grip safety that I can see. And the slide is defferent. If the photos are accurate the angle of the grip is also different.
I am courious who did make it, I hope someone here can help you.

 

[Fuelburns2]

Its not a 1903 Colt. I'm not sure what it could be now.

 

[Pistolero]

Looks like a Spanish made "Ruby" pistol. Made in Spain for the French.

Here is a link. Examine your pistol, on the left side, rear of the frame, near where the web of your hand will be when gripping, you should see a two letter code. This code will tell you which manufacturer made your pistol.

http://www.reenactor.net/units/151ri/we ... istol.html

 

[Rev.]

Pistolero, I think you have nailed it.

 

[rodscher]

Yep, I think you've got it. I have a Ruby made by Alkartasuna, one of a whole bunch of Spanish subcontractors who made the gun during WWI for the French army. Interesting gun. Mine has a small metal "button" on the left side of the frame; the button doesn't do anything, really -- its purpose is to hold the side of the holster away from the weapon so that, when it's being drawn, the safety doesn't snag on the holster. (The button was added by the French in about 1920, which is one thing that helps pinpoint the age of the one I've got.)

Mine happens to be in excellent shape and is a very good shooter!

 

[dogngun]

Ruby.
Just saw one a few weeks ago, and checked up on them.
Made in Spain for use in WWI, by France. Made by many small manufacturers, some virtually handmade, all a little different.
Most of them were pretty good guns, and lots served through both world wars. The one I saw was very similar to yours, long handle, but a variant of the Browning design as stated.

IIRC, the one I saw was nearly $300, and I think it sold quickly.

mark

 

[rodscher]

"...the one I saw was nearly $300, and I think it sold quickly."

Nice. I think I only paid $170 for mine. It's such a good shooter that I'm thinking of getting it plated -- although I suspect that would actually detract from its value.

 

[dogngun]

It would not detract, it would destroy what value the pistol has to any collecter.
FWIW, I just bought the Ruby pistol I saw in the shop.
They got a very bad reputation because there were many makers and many parts were not interchangable. Also, many smaller makers and later made guns were low quality.
BUT-they were used throughout Europe between the wars, in several countries in WWII, and even as late as the 1970's where some Ruby's were used by the Viet Cong.

They got around, many are still shooting just fine.
Ejoy it as is-please don't "fix" it.
mark

Also I was wrong about the price-it was under $200.