Bolumburu Regent

Gregorio Bolumburu · Pistol · Discontinued · 1915

Also known as: Regent, Bolumburu Ruby type

Overview

The Bolumburu Regent is a Spanish .32 ACP blowback semi-automatic pistol produced by Gregorio Bolumburu of Eibar. It is one of the many 'Ruby' or Eibar-type pistols closely modeled on the Browning Model 1903, built in large numbers to fill French military contracts during the First World War. Simple and inexpensive, it uses an unlocked blowback action with an internal hammer and a manual safety lever forward of the left grip panel, feeding from a single-stack detachable magazine.

Specifications

Weight (empty)800 g (28.2 oz)
Overall Length160 mm (6.30")
Barrel Length90 mm (3.54")
Height115 mm (4.53")
Width30 mm (1.18")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity9 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity290 m/s (951 fps)
Muzzle Energy183 J (135 ft·lbf)
Effective Range25 m (27 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Service history

Operators

Conflicts

Production

Production years: 1915-1930

Part of roughly one million Ruby/Eibar-type pistols produced by numerous Spanish makers from the mid-1910s through the 1920s.

Origin

Country of origin: Spain

Discontinued: 1930

Notes

Gregorio Bolumburu marketed near-identical Eibar-type pistols under several trade names including Regent, Regina, Gloria, Marina and Rex. Quality among Eibar-type pistols varied widely between makers.

Background

When France placed enormous orders for cheap sidearms in 1915, dozens of small Eibar workshops including Gregorio Bolumburu rushed to supply Ruby-type pistols, eventually reaching deliveries of around 50,000 units per month at the peak of wartime demand.