Retolaza Military
Retolaza Hermanos · Pistol · Discontinued · 1914
Also known as: Military, Retolaza Military .32
Overview
The Retolaza Military is a Spanish blowback semi-automatic pistol chambered in .32 ACP, produced by Retolaza Hermanos of Eibar during the First World War. It is a member of the 'Eibar' or Ruby family of Browning M1903-pattern trade-name pistols, feeding from a detachable box magazine and sold under the 'Military' badge as one of the firm's interchangeable commercial names for the same design.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 800 g (28.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 151 mm (5.94") |
| Barrel Length | 87 mm (3.43") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 300 m/s (984 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 200 J (148 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | 6 Grooves, Right-Hand Twist |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .32 ACP · primary — also known as .32 Automatic, 7.65x17mm Browning SR, 7.65mm Browning
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: 9-Round Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Sights, Single Action
Production
Production years: 1914-1918
Produced during WWI as part of the wider Ruby/Eibar pistol output supplied to French forces to make up wartime handgun shortages.
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Designer: Retolaza brothers
Discontinued: 1918
Notes
'Military' was one of several commercial trade names (alongside Liberty, Paramount, Stosel and Titanic) applied by Retolaza Hermanos to what was essentially the same Eibar-type blowback pistol. Some reference listings quote a shorter 76mm (3 in) barrel and eight-round magazine for the pocket-sized examples of this group.
Background
France's chronic shortage of service handguns in the First World War was met by contracting dozens of small Eibar gunmakers in Spain to turn out Browning-pattern .32 automatics. Retolaza Hermanos sold theirs under a rotating cast of patriotic trade names, and the 'Military' was simply one such badge stamped on the same reliable blowback design.