Very early production DESTROYER carbine, serial number 022 its differences to the MONTSERRAT carbine are: its use not only of stripper clips but also of magazines very similar to those used in the M.1908 Bergmann pistol, the presence of stock grasping grooves, and of using two barrel bands, with the upper one lacking a bayonet lug. It was made by the firm Gaztanaga, Trocaola e Ibarzabal of Eibar, and was sold by Jose Cruz Mugica, a dealer in Eibar.2 7 model shown in the catalogue as Model of 1921 This date, however, corresponds to the year of initial manufacturing of the MONTSERRAT carbine whose patent Gaztañaga eluded in his usual fashion by introducing more or less acceptable improvements to its design I would not be surprised if as early as 1921 or 1922 Gaztañaga had already applied for a patent for such improvements for carbines but I have only located the one granted in his name in 1924 under the heading Improvements introduced to the Destroyer carbine. Super Destroyer-This pistol is described as being similar to the Walther Mod, PP and presumably is a copy thereof. Destroyer that was called the Army Model, Both had longer grips than the regular pistol of this caliber, in order to use a 9- cartridge magazine. Indian Model-This appears to be identical to a 7,65 mm. Whether the pistols he supplied were his regular 7-round magazine type or the 9round magazine (Ruby) type is not known, Isidro Gaztanaga, was one of the many Spanish manufacturers who made pistols for the French Army during World War 1. No factory data have been found, but the 1914 catalog of the Union des Fabricants d'Armes de Eibar states that the 6,35 model fired 6 shots and weighed 310 grams, while the 7,65 mm, pistol fired 7 shots and weighed 590 grams, Data from the Pistolen Atlas give the magazine capacities as 6 and 7 cartridges, respectively, but give the weights (including empty magazine) as 326 grams for the 6,35 mm, and 633 grams for the 7.65, As to dimensions, measured specimens of the 6,35 had an over-all length of 100 mm. and from No, 1878 to 46,723 for the 7,65 mm, Of course there may have been many more, and it is not known whether the two calibers were numbered in the same or in separate numbering series. No information is available as to the total production. Some, particularly those of early production, bear a model date, Presumably this „model date" simply refers to the year in which the pistol was made. may appear enclosed in an ellipse at the rear end of the slide, on the left side, The wording of the slide inscription varies. Gaztanaga, appears on the slide, or the initials I.G. with the word DESTROYER below, Usually the name I. Some specimens, in each caliber, will be found with plain white plastic grip plates while others have checkered hard rubber plates, Some specimens have plain checkered grip plates, while others have a monogram containing the letters I.G.
caliber and No, 1878 (marked Model 1914) in 7.65 mm, caliber, have the thumb safety located back of the left grip plate, whereas later pistols in both calibers have it located in front of the grip plate. The earlier pistols produced, e.g., No, 1699 (marked Model 1913) in 6,35 mm. It appears in both 6.35 and 7,65 mm, calibers and is of the Eibar Type, i.e., a copy of the 1906 Browning. The pistol known as the Destroyer was made at Eibar, Spain, by Isidro Gaztanaga, While it is one of the less important pistols, it, nevertheless, is frequently encountered in this country and therefore deserves some comment.