Libra Hand Gun

Luger von Mauser · 04-18-2008, 11:37 AM

Ever heard of Libra handguns (Libra may be model name). Looks to be spainsh or Italian. Has the same wording as some Browning pistols. I cant find anything about it anyway..

Here is a link that shows the gun I am asking about. Its number 2268. (left side 2268, the arrow is not my doing) Anyone have an idea of value, ect, would be appreiated.

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20espag...achea%20gb.htm

John Sabato · 04-18-2008, 11:58 AM

Spanish I am pretty sure... the link shows a whole group of different "manufacturers" of all the same pattern gun.

They are all Browning .25 Auto clones...

Greg G · 04-18-2008, 01:31 PM

Did you mean "Libia" pistol? I have one in .25 Cal..

Join this forum for more info on Spanish pistols:
http://curioandrelicfirearmsforum.yuku.com/forums/27

Bob in St Louis can tell you all about it.

Luger von Mauser · 04-18-2008, 02:28 PM

Yes Libia, and I paid $50. for it, but could not find anything about it. thx you all..

mike

davidkachel · 04-24-2008, 02:17 PM

You paid the right price. These aren't worth much unless they are for example, silver plated, engraved with real mother-of-pearl grips, like mine, <grin>.
They were made in different calibers (mostly .25 and .32), all commonly known as the "ruby' (regardless of manufacturer) and numerous sizes and capacities but all had in common a design stolen from the early Browning pistol, then simplified by the Spaniards. This simplification was not necessarily for the better and in fact, except for a handful of these Mom and Pop factories, they were not particularly safe weapons. (These guns are the reason for the 'soft Spanish steel' myth that is not a myth when talking about these guns, but is a myth with regard to later Spanish weapons most of which were quite well made and of good materials.)

The Ruby started out as a supplemental sidearm for the French during WWI as the Germans had seized most of the French small arms factories. So in desperation the French turned to the Basques and the Ruby was the result.

After WWI these guns continued to be manufactured under a dizzying number of factory and model names, some of which got pretty ridiculous. Don't be surprised if one day you find one with the model name 'Betty Boop'.

04-18-2008, 11:37 AM	#1
Luger von Mauser User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Libra Hand Gun Ever heard of Libra handguns (Libra may be model name). Looks to be spainsh or Italian. Has the same wording as some Browning pistols. I cant find anything about it anyway.. Here is a link that shows the gun I am asking about. Its number 2268. (left side 2268, the arrow is not my doing) Anyone have an idea of value, ect, would be appreiated. http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20espag...achea%20gb.htm

04-18-2008, 11:58 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Spanish I am pretty sure... the link shows a whole group of different "manufacturers" of all the same pattern gun. They are all Browning .25 Auto clones... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

04-18-2008, 01:31 PM	#3
Greg G User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TX Posts: 65 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Libia Did you mean "Libia" pistol? I have one in .25 Cal.. Join this forum for more info on Spanish pistols: http://curioandrelicfirearmsforum.yuku.com/forums/27 Bob in St Louis can tell you all about it.

04-24-2008, 02:17 PM	#5
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	You paid the right price. These aren't worth much unless they are for example, silver plated, engraved with real mother-of-pearl grips, like mine, <grin>. They were made in different calibers (mostly .25 and .32), all commonly known as the "ruby' (regardless of manufacturer) and numerous sizes and capacities but all had in common a design stolen from the early Browning pistol, then simplified by the Spaniards. This simplification was not necessarily for the better and in fact, except for a handful of these Mom and Pop factories, they were not particularly safe weapons. (These guns are the reason for the 'soft Spanish steel' myth that is not a myth when talking about these guns, but is a myth with regard to later Spanish weapons most of which were quite well made and of good materials.) The Ruby started out as a supplemental sidearm for the French during WWI as the Germans had seized most of the French small arms factories. So in desperation the French turned to the Basques and the Ruby was the result. After WWI these guns continued to be manufactured under a dizzying number of factory and model names, some of which got pretty ridiculous. Don't be surprised if one day you find one with the model name 'Betty Boop'. __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.

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04-18-2008, 02:28 PM	#4
Luger von Mauser User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes Libia, and I paid $50. for it, but could not find anything about it. thx you all.. mike