Gabilondo Radium
Gabilondo y Urresti · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1910
Also known as: Radium
Overview
The Gabilondo Radium is a Spanish 6.35mm (.25 ACP) vest-pocket semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Gabilondo y Urresti between 1910 and 1915. A blowback-operated copy of the Browning/FN vest-pocket pattern, it is most notable for its fixed, non-detachable internal magazine: rather than a removable box, the six-round magazine is built into the frame and is loaded by sliding the left grip panel downward against a heel-style catch and inserting loose cartridges. A smaller number were chambered for .32 ACP.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 350 g (12.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Barrel Length | 54 mm (2.13") |
| Height | 80 mm (3.15") |
| Width | 22 mm (0.87") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Fixed Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 230 m/s (755 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 86 J (63 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .25 ACP · primary — also known as 6.35x16mm Browning, 6.35mm Browning, .25 Auto
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Fixed Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Internal Magazine, Grip Panel Loading Gate, Vest Pocket Size
Production
Production years: 1910-1915
Produced by Gabilondo y Urresti before the firm pivoted to large-scale Ruby pistol contracts during World War I.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Guillermo Echeverria and Valentin Vallejo
Discontinued: 1915
Notes
The integral magazine and grip-panel loading system was patented by Guillermo Echeverria and Valentin Vallejo. Dimensions follow the typical Browning vest-pocket pattern the Radium copies; exact factory figures are scarce.
Background
The Radium was one of Gabilondo y Urresti's early pocket pistols, predating the company's famous Ruby and its later move to the Llama brand. Its unusual fixed magazine, loaded through a sliding grip panel, set it apart from the swarm of conventional Eibar-pattern pocket automatics produced in the Basque region in the same era.