Llamapage Spanish Blue Steel by Llama Or as translated from Spanish Flame RK Smith There is an enormous amount of incorrect information out there about the model numbers on the guns Llama made and I have done my best in identifying them to correct it. This research project has been both a rewarding and frustrating experience. A large number of the guns were in my collection to assist in this endeavor and I think I now have it all as it should be. The years the series of IIIA's were made however is still in question.

I want to inform you before you go any further that the designations of series and variation are my designations and not those of Llama. I do it to show that there were major changes made to the guns every few years and there were even variations within those years.

In 2005 Llama closed its doors for the last time due to lack of sales and a bankruptcy. This followed the demise of Astra and Star in about 1997.

Made from 80 to approx 91. Llama IIIA, series 5, blow back operated, 162mm overall length with no vents in the rib. These are custom grips and they should be like the grips above except for the longer slide release which was introduced on the series above. They are the first guns to be marked with their model number. Llama was born in Spain over 100 years ago but now resides in the Philippines. Despite the new address, all the Spanish traditions and heritage are still part of.

They simply failed to compete with all of the other gun manufacturers out there, I think due to the bad reputation Spanish guns acquired during the first World War and the restrictions place on them by the Spanish government. Llama also is reported to have made bad guns during the 80's, but to this day I have never found one. During the 80's they went to making the 9mm P a blow back, I think to cut down on manufacturing costs and that did not help either. Because of the cheap prices Llama's might not have been finished as well as the Colt, but with a bit of work, polishing parts, they work great and I have some early ones that are fantastic.

Gabilondo y Uresti started producing the Radium seven shot 6.35 in 1910. The patent of the 'Radium' was in the name of Don Guillermo Echeverria and of Don Valentin Vallejo. The patent was a weird form of loading the gun by sliding the right grip and inserting the rounds into the butt directly. The one I have seen had Spanish proofs and that is not consistent with there not being a proof house in Ebiar at that time. It also had the encircled EU with a crown which I have never seen before. Production ceased in 1915.

Pic isn't very good but the best I can do at the time They started making a gun in 1914 based on the Browning 1903 and the modifications of the design by earlier guns like the Astra Victoria 1911 and called it the Ruby. 1s 83 emulyator klyucha inches. It was a well made gun with fair tolerances, so parts were interchangeable within its own brand.

It was the first to have a 9 round magazine because Gabilondo had built it to be used by the Military or Police. At the beginning of WWI Gabilondo presented the gun to France for trials and it was accepted in 1915 with orders for 10,000 a month. The guns were actually purchased by Les Ouvriers Reunies and from there went to the French gvernment. My understanding is that at this time Gabilondo had 5 employees.

Four months later orders would be increased to 30,000 a month. This was far more than Gabilando could produce so he contracted with others to produce for him. Four smaller companies contracted with Gabilondo to produce 5000 pistols a month each and along with the 10,000 he could produce, he was able to fulfill the 30,000 needed. The pistols these 4 companies, Armera Elgoibaressa y Cia, Echealasa y Vincinai y Cia,, Hijos de Angel Echeverria y Cia, produced were not of the Gabilondo quality but were accepted by the French government. All of the guns supplied were blue, 9 shot with checkered wood grips and accompanied by three magazines along with a holster supplied by the French.

By the end of the war it is thought that Gabilondo alone produced from 250,000 to 300,000 pistols. Archivo Municipal de Eibar records show that Iraola Salaverria y Cia only produced 10,000 guns total and Hijos de Angel Echeverria y Cia produced 154,000. The 1914 Ruby in 7.65 - 9 shot with checkered wood grips as made for the French in WWI.

There are two variations of this gun, the other one having a different placement of the grips screws. Possibly more but the other one I have seen. Beristain y Cia of Eibar, between the years of 1916 and 1920 received patents for improvements to the Browning 1910, patent No.

62,004 and No. Beristain contracted with Gobilondo to make the gun and production started in 1920. The Logo on the grips is BC not GB for Gregorio Bolumburu as some report it to be. Browning filed a law suit against Beristain for patent infringement but lost the suit in 1925.