Llama firearms

Llama Firearms officially known as "Gabilondo Llama y Cia SA" is a Spanish company in the Basque area of armaments, which was founded in 1904 under the name "Gabilondo and Urresti". Its headquarters were in Guernica.

History

After the First World War, the company transfers its premises in Elgoibar and changed its name in Gabilondo and Company. S'écoulent almost 10 years the factory was then transferred back to the city of Vitoria (Alava).

After the Second World War, the company changed its name to Gabilongo Cia. SA.

Llama manufactured pistols and revolvers as Gabilongo as well as Ruby pistols and other guns under the brands "Tauler" and "Múgica" for the South American market. Some models are clones of the 1911 Colt pistol, and his 22LR sizes ranging from the .45 ACP. But some models are .38 caliber or 9 mm Super Largo. A very good value for money and a wide choice of models in all sizes made the reputation of the firm. Details of the carcass, such as the year of manufacture code used to authenticate productions.

1904 Bufalo and Danton pistols

In 1904, at the birth of the company, Urresti Gabilondo made copies of Nagant revolvers, as well as police Colt revolvers, and revolvers vélodog under its own brand. The firm also producing parts for other companies.

In the years 1910 and 1915, the company was called Gabilondo Urresti and manufactured small pistols in smaller sizes, 25 ACP called Radium. They are mostly semi-automatic pistols to muzzle non-aligned type hammerless (without rims), and detachable magazine with a capacity of six cartridges.

It also manufactured clones of the Browning M1903, in two calibers 6.35 and 32 ACP both with a capacity of six cartridges, it will advanced to the future Ruby with a capacity of nine rounds of 7.65 mm.

An unexpected success was the famous Buffalo, Danton, a copy of Browning M1910 pistol. This gun was produced in three calibers, the 25 ACP only for Danton, 32 ACP, and 380 ACP. The Bufalo was produced from 1919 to 1925, and a pistol was very popular. One armory in Barcelona sold 100 guns a day. Export sales were also dazzling. The series and production ceased in 1933.

RUBY

RUBY: In 1914 the company created a model of pistol RUBY 32 ACP caliber with a capacity of 9 cartridges. The French authorities will sign a contract in 1915 for the manufacture and delivery of pistols RUBY. After the approval of the French armed services, they demanded the provision of 10000 RUBY pistols per month. One year after the contract was increased to 30000 pieces. The firm felt obliged to subcontract to meet the order. Four manufacturers in Eibar were interested in the proposal, they were:

* Armeria Elgoibaressa y Cia under the brand name Lusitania.
* Echealasa y Vincinai y Cia
* Hijos de Angel Echeverria y Cia
* Iraola Salaverria y Cia

The contract stipulated that each company would 5,000 RUBY per month. The French authorities were still satisfied with these products, the production quality was never denied, it was not the same with other manufacturers.

Estimates of Gabilondo production are 300,000 to 250,000 pieces of the RUBY pistol . Ironically, during the Spanish Civil War, Gabilondo continued to produce RUBY pistols with major differences. First, it was chambered in 6.35 mm, and its dimensions were reduced to be worn discreetly under clothing. A monstrous version in 7.65mm was born in 1928 and was produced until 1933: The Ruby Plus Ultra. It was characterized by a magazine of 20 cartridges, a longer barrel, a selector to change from burst and semi-automatic. This curiosity was given to soldiers of the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War.

TAULER and MUGICA brands

In the 1930's, the firm will manufacture Gabilondos under the brand name "TAULER" and "MUGICA" pistols which will be imported in the world, mainly in South America. Mr TAULER was a Spanish sports target shooterand an Olympic medalist who created his own brand and distributors. As part of the Spanish secret service, it will use its relations for the purchase of guns LLama under its own brand name "TAULER. In 1933 they opt for LLAMA II 380 ACP caliber pistol compact size and low weight resembling the Colt 1911. Its small size and power of 9 mm calibre court will make a monument of these services to particular tasks. Today, officials from these services still use these guns; model LLAMA III and the Star S 9 mm short whom were still part of their kit.

*Tauler versus Llama pistols

""TAULER"" MODEL PISTOLS : 1933/1935

*Mugica Versus LLama

Production & Models

Radium: In 1910 creation of a semi-automatic pistol in breech of non-aligned hammerless type (without dogs), manufactured in 25 ACP caliber, charger six cartridges. A peculiarity, the nameplate of the pistol grip slips, which allows you to see the number of rounds remaining in the gun. This model manufacturing complex stopped in 1915.

Danton: In 1919 creation of a semi-automatic pistol copy of the model FN Model 1910 to breech non-aligned type hammerless (without dogs), manufactured in 25 ACP caliber, 32 ACP, and 380 ACP.

Buffalo: In 1919 creation of a semi-automatic pistol copy of the model FN Model 1910 to breech non-aligned type hammerless (without dogs), manufactured in 32 ACP caliber, 380 ACP. Production ceased in 1925.

Ruby Plus Ultra: Manufacturing from 1928 to 1933, for policeman.

M1911: It was the series of LLAMA I LLAMA II, III LLAMA resembling the 1911 Colts, in various calibres. The success was immediate administrative services at the time, on the eve of the civil war, dotèrent these pistols famous for wearing a more discreet.

LLAMA I: 32 calibre pistol ACP, marketed in 1933, the end of production in 1936.

LLAMA II: 380 calibre pistol ACP end of production in 1936.

LLAMA III: pistol caliber ,380 from 1936 to 1954

LLAMA III "ESPECIAL" : Pistol regulatory police and other services, identical to the model LLAMA IIILLAMA III-A 380 calibre pistol manufacturing ACP 1954 until 1997.LLAMA IV : pistol 9 mm calibre Largo, clone of the 1911 Colt pedal without security, marketed in 1931.

LLAMA V : calibre pistol .38 Super

LLAMA VI : minor details distinguish it from V. LLAMA LLAMA VII : calibre pistol 38 Super

LLAMA VIII: .38 calibre pistol Super manufactured from 1955 to 1985, look like the LLAMA VII security on the handle as a Colt 1911 A1. A large capacity with changes in platelet neoprene exists in the reference LLAMA VIII- the shipper 18 cartridges. Another, with platelets wooden grid entirely, is referenced "LLAMA" EXTRA, capacity cartridges 7.

LLAMA IX: .45 calibre pistol ACP, made in 1936, returned to production in 1954, clone of the 1911 Colt. A variant LLAMA IX-A handful with neoprene manufacturing 1985.

LLAMA IX-C: 1994 high capacity models, .45 ACP capacity 13 cartridges, .40 S & W, .38 Super, 9 mm parabellum

LLAMA IX-D : Pistol identical to LLAMA IX-C, but smaller.. Capacity 45 ACP 13 cartridges, 9 parabellum capacity 15 cartridges.

LLAMA XA : same appearance, size 32 ACP, marketed in 1954.

LLAMA XI : "Especial" the first Spanish pistol chambered in 9 mm Parabellum marketed in 1930, restarted production in 1954. One of the pistols mythical Spanish civil war, he was also parachuted into the maquis of the French resistance during World War II.

LLAMA XI-B : caliber 9 mm Parabellum, identical to LLAMA XI, slight differences, produced in the years 1980/1990.

LLAMA XII-B : .40 caliber SW

LLAMA XV : "Especial", size 22 LR, the same gun that LLAMA III, but in a different class.

LLAMA XVI : Same as XV, finishing top of the range (chrome or silver or gold) and often burning.

LLAMA XVII : LR caliber 22 short, manufactured between 1963 and 1969 also called "executive model". The last compact that created the firm, he is considered minuscule.

LLAMA XVIII : calibre 25 ACP , Made in 1963 LLAMA XVIII: size 25 1963

LLAMA XIX : calibre 380 ACP , Manufactured aircraft aluminum frame, which reduces the weight 141 g.

Omni I : about 1980, .45 caliber ACP

Omni II : 9 mm calibre parabellum, capacity cartridges charger 9

Omni III : 9 mm calibre parabellum, capacity charger 13 cartridges

LLAMA M-82 : Size 9 mm Parabellum

LLAMA M-87 : calibre 9 mm Parabellum

LLAMA Max-1 :1995, calibre 9 mm Parabellum capacity 9, .40 S & W cartridges contenace 8, .45 ACP cartridges contenace 7

LLAMA Max-1-L/F : calibre .45 ACP , produced in 1995, is an exact replica of the Colt 1911

LLAMA Max-2-L/F : calibre .38 Super , it is a replica of the Colt 1911 in a class competition for IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation).

Max-IC/F or Max-I compact : calibre .45 ACP LLAMA Mini-max : calibre .45 ACP cartridges magazine 6, .40 S & W cartridge capacity charger 7, 9 mm parabellum capacity charger 8 cartridges.

LLAMA Mini-max II : calibre .45 ACP capacity charger 12 cartridges

LLAMA Micro-max :calibre 22 Lr , calibre 32 ACP, calibre 380 ACP, manufactured in 1997Also worth a mention is the Llama M82 automatic pistol. Though not well-known, it is the standard sidearm of the Spanish Armed Forces. It is of 9mm Parabellum or .45 ACP calibre, carries fifteen rounds in 9mm, and is double action. It has a falling block action, which is derived from the legendary Beretta 92 and Walther P38.

Gabilondo Revolvers

Series "Ruby Extra production from 1955 to 1970, are copies of Smith & Wesson very popular in the Philippines.

Model XII: .38 caliber revolver Special 5-inch gun

Model XIII: .38 caliber revolver Special canon of 4 and 6 inches, a broken bar, organs of sight adjustable.

Model XIV: 32 caliber revolver and 22 LR barrel of 2, 4 or 6 inches.

Series "MARTIAL" '1969 production, they are copies of Smith & Wesson

38 SPECIAL MARTIAL : .38 caliber revolver Special cannon 2/4/6 inches, weight 0964 kg, 1.07 kg, 1162 kg. Body of sight adjustable. A similar revolver, chambered in .38 Special, called "MARTIAL POLICE."

Model 22: .38 caliber revolver Special

Model 26: 22 calibre revolver LR carcass steel double action.

Model 27: 32 calibre revolver Long

Model 28: 22 calibre revolver LR aluminum casing

Model 30: 22 calibre revolver Magnum

Model 29: 22 calibre revolver LR

Model 32: 32 calibre revolver Long

Series "Comanche" 1975 production, they are copies of Smith & Wesson in larger sizes: 357 Magnum, Magnum 44, but also in 22 LR, .38 Special which necessitated larger bodies.

Llama also produces small revolvers, Scorpio and Picolo in popular calibers 22LR and 32 S & W. The special revolvers Llama is the safety of the firing pin which is housed in the frame; well before its competitors it therefore innovation in the securities multiple revolvers.

Year 1970 military market

In 1970, the Spanish military modernizing their weapons. Llama-Gabilondo enter into competition, and proposing, in 1980, a series called Omni. This gun large capacity declined in 3 versions despite exciting innovations, was greeted with little interest. Faced with this setback, she suggested a weapon based on the system Walther P38 and Beretta 92 Llama called M-82. It was a success, the US army launched a competition to equip its troops in 9 mm pistol. But it was the Italians who Beretta raflèrent this gigantic market being much more commercial. Despite this setback, the pistol was adopted by the Spanish army, as well as by South American countries. Exports were important because the weapon had enjoyed an excellent reputation because of its precision, their prices were much higher than the 92 Beretta pistols. A sport was born under the name Llama M-87.

The 1990s, The good years?

1994: manufacture of high-capacity models to cope with the great successes of the 1911 Para-Ordonance.

The replica was the IX-C model, a model entirely steel, equipped with a charger to double column of 13 cartridges, neoprene pads, multiple security including the firing pin (a system very point which enabled products Llama d 'to be approved by the US Customs Service). This gun was also produced in three other sizes, 9 mm Parabellum, Super .38, .40 S & W. It was a success partly tarnished by a law called "Crime Bill" that limits the capacity of shippers to 10 cartridges and therefore the interest of such weapons.

From smaller scale and chambered in two calibers, .45 ACP (capacity of 13 rounds) and 9 mm Parabellum (containing 15 cartridges), the IX-D model appeared for the future.

In 1995, the firm released a single-action pistol. The shape is that of a 1911 A1 with a customized design. Thereafter meet the demand of this huge market, it embarked on the innovation of weapons of high calibre and compact. The first of the series will be the Max-IC / F or I-Max compact, a pistol derived Max-I in reduced proportions.

The Llama Mini-Max (acronym for Minimum Minimum dimension, Maximum Maximum Power) was rather successful. Available in three sizes, 9 mm Parabellum (8 rounds), .40 S & W (7 rounds), .45 ACP 6 (cartridges), with the added bonus is very accurate for this type of weapon shrinking, it will be a real success . Faced with this craze, Gabilondo Llama y Cia SA redraws the lines in 1997 and made an even more compact version called Mini-Max II. The prowess lies in the firepower of 12 rounds of ammunition in 45 ACP such a small pistol.

Beginning 1997, Series III-A Llama draws to a close and is replaced by new models called Micro-Max which the function and appearance are absolutely identical to the legendary Colt 1911. The barrel is also a system to control rod browning, 3 sizes will be offered, LR 22, 32 ACP and ACP 380 in several finishes: chrome, silver, bronze and so…

The End

Gabilondo Llama y Cia SA, as a result of financial difficulties filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors in 1999. A group of employees then decided to mount a cooperative society and creates "Fabrinor Arma corta Microfusion & SA" and continued production pistols Llama. Despite its great strength and recent profitability, the huge financial liability of Llama Gabilondo and the refusal of a moratorium of debts by creditors in 2003 shut them down also.

ee also

*Astra-Unceta y Cia SA , another former Spanish handgun manufacturer
*ASTAR
*Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A.

Bibliography

* Le Pistolet Ruby by Gérard HENROTIN (Editions H&L Publishing - HLebooks.com - 2004)