1914 Automatic Pistol, Paramount Cal 32?

[supermario]

Anybody know anything about this handgun?
1914 Automatic Pistol
Paramount Cal 32.

[spencerhut]

If I am really spooked by an unknown gun I tie it to the bench or an old tire and put one round in it and get back 20-30' and pull the trigger with a string. So far none have ever boomed into little parts. All have gone bang and then get cleaned really well and put in the regular shooting rotation.

[Spiggy]

pictures, pictures

pictures worth gold

It's a browning copy, so they're tough, but pictures will judge condition and value better than "it looks rusty"

[supermario]

pictures, pictures

pictures worth gold

It's a browning copy, so they're tough, but pictures will judge condition and value better than "it looks rusty"

I know I know, my camera eats up batteries. I will post pics tomorrow and hopefully you can give me some info on it. Thanks

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Yeah, I'm afraid we can't help much without seeing it. But .32 ACP is a pretty mild cartridge. Even the poorly made Chinese guns that were made out of railroad tracks can usually handle it. Same for the Spanish guns and many of the other European popguns that were turned out for it in the 20th century. I would take it to a gunsmith if you have concerns. That is probably better than relying out unknown people here on a forum who aren't going to be the ones risking fingers if something goes wrong...

[Mike A]

Ask this question over at the "Spanish Pistols" forum on www.gunboards.com/forums There are "Spanish Steel" nuts over there who know it well and can give you some pointers on safety, when it was made, and by whom. They can also give you pointers on where to find parts, if you need them.

I would shoot this gun, assuming it is all there, but with welders gloves and safety glasses the first few rounds, just for heart's ease. It is a common gun and doesn't, as far as I know, have a bad reputation. Probably made just after WWI.

I believe it is of the "Ruby" construction, a Spanish takeoff on the Browning/Colt blowback action pocket pistols of 1903. Similar pistols were used by the French, Portugese, and Italian armies to arm MG crewmen, grenadiers, military police, and stretcher bearers, as well as service troops and officers. Some of the French ones came back from Vietnam!

[supermario]

This handgun does have SPAIN stamped on it.

[Spiggy]

hell, that doesn't look too bad

check the springs, check the sear, check the metal for cracks. If not, some CLP on it and it should be good to go.

as to value, not a clue...

[Mike A]

The English word "Spain" on the gun indicates it was post-WWI and intended for export to an English-speaking country, probably the US.

In the shape it's in, I wouldn't hesitate to fire it (after checking to see if the barrel is clear and uncracked). There are disassembly instructions for Spanish "Ruby" type pistols on a "sticky" on the website forum I mentioned earlier. Also some history of their military use and manufacturer codes, date codes, etc.

[a1c]

Looks like a Ruby "clone" alright - probably for export to the US (it's in English).

At first I mentioned it only mentioned .32, but no, it also includes the metric equivalent (7.65mm). Love those little guns. This was the standard issue pistol in the French forces during WWI.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Yup. It is a post WWI Ruby clone. They are resonably safe in good condition. The metallurgy should be more than enough for .32 ACP. Just remember, these guns came out of lots of little shops in Spain. There was LOTS of hand-fitting going on. So finding parts for it will be a PITA if anything breaks. Also, don't count on any of the magazines fitting and functionint in it without some creative and judicious use of files beforehand.

(edit)
They have one of these on gunbroker right now. It is going for $150, which I think is a tad high...

[supermario]

Wow, that's a lot of cool info. Thanx guys. I guess value would
Be around $100 probably? Either way I'm keeping it just becus its soo damm old and I think that's pretty cool. Thanx again fellas!

[gun toting monkeyboy]

$100-150. I wouldn't bother selling it. Old .32 automatics can be a lot of fun to shoot. Just drag it with you to the range and have at it. Don't expect target grade accuracy out of it though. Generally .32s from the first half of the 20th century were designed for self defense at very close range. If you can hit a pie plate with them at 25 yards you are doing well.

[country]

paramount 32

we have the same gun in are family handed down none of the print is in English does that mean it is not a replica and if so does it change the value? also it had not been fired in years we made the decision to fire it it shot great but when taking it apart to clean it the firing pin broke can we find a new one ?

[bellts]

we have the same gun in are family handed down none of the print is in English does that mean it is not a replica and if so does it change the value? also it had not been fired in years we made the decision to fire it it shot great but when taking it apart to clean it the firing pin broke can we find a new one ?

Maybe gunbroker... that's a big maybe. I remember seeing ruby/paramount misc. parts on gunbroker about 5 months ago.