Bascaran “Martian” Ruby-Pattern .32 ACP – French WWI Contract, MB-Code, 9+1 Micro Pistol
Built in 1915 by Fábrica de Martín A. Bascaran in Eibar, Spain, this MB-coded “Martian” Ruby-pattern pistol is one of the French military’s emergency-procurement sidearms from World War I. Chambered in .32 ACP and holding nine rounds, it delivers more capacity than most pocket pistols of its era while remaining impressively compact. Matching slide and frame serials, original blued finish, and period walnut grips give this 100-plus-year-old service pistol strong collector appeal.
The Bascaran “Martian” stands out for its oval “MB” contract mark—evidence that it was accepted for French service—and for its non-interchangeable MB-marked magazine, a detail valued by Ruby-pattern enthusiasts. A striker-fired blowback action, heel magazine release, and manual thumb safety reflect the straightforward wartime design. Surviving examples in complete, functioning condition are not common, placing this piece firmly in the “hard to find” category.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Rifling: Good – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The pistol exhibits minor to moderate scratching, scuffing, finish loss, scattered pitting, and small blemishes consistent with a century of service life. Despite the cosmetic wear, all controls operate correctly, and the gun retains a uniform working appearance.
What’s Included
- One MB-marked 9-round steel magazine with nine witness holes
- French WWI pattern leather flap holster with integral spare-magazine pouch (worn)
Produced between 1915 and 1918, this micro-sized sidearm reflects France’s rapid wartime contracts with numerous Basque makers. The matching slide and frame serial number (41803) confirms factory pairing, a desirable feature on Ruby-type pistols where mismatched parts are common.
The 3.4-inch steel barrel delivers respectable accuracy for its size, aided by fixed iron sights. Inside, the bore remains bright with solid rifling, showcasing careful maintenance despite its age.
Original checkered walnut grip panels provide secure handling, while the lanyard loop integrated into the magazine well underscores its intended military role. The worn blued finish speaks to authentic field use without compromising structural integrity.
Collectors appreciate MB-coded Rubies for their unique magazine geometry—magazines from other Ruby makers will not lock into this frame—making complete examples with the correct magazine and holster increasingly scarce.