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Llama Firearms, officially known as Llama-Gabilondo y Cia SA, was a Spanish arms company founded in 1904 under the name Gabilondo and Urresti. Its headquarters were in Eibar in the Basque Country, Spain, but they also had workshops during different times in Elgoibar and Vitoria. Llama manufactured moderate-priced revolvers and self-chambering pistols in a bewildering variety of models. These were popular mainly in the European and Latin American export market, as well as domestically in Spain. Llama selfloading pistol models: Radium Manufactured from 1910 to 1915. Self-loading pistol, hammerless, frame mounted safety, manufactured in 6.35 mm/.25 ACP, six-round fixed magazine with sliding cover. Ruby Manufactured from 1914 to 1919. Self-loading pistol, copy of the FN Model 1903, hammerless, frame mounted safety, manufactured in 7.65 mm/.32 ACP, nine-round removable magazine. Bufalo Manufactured from 1919 to 1925. Self-loading pistol, copy of the FN Model 1910, internal hammer, manufactured in 7.65 mm/.32 ACP, and 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with seven, nine, and twelve-round removable magazines. Also available in a gun marked Ruby Arms Co. Danton Manufactured from 1925 to 1933. Self-loading pistol, copy of the FN Model 1910, internal hammer, manufactured in 6.35 mm/.25 ACP, 7.65 mm/.32 ACP, and 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with seven-round, nine-round (85 mm barrel), and twelve-round (100 mm barrel) removable magazines. Ruby Plus Ultra Manufactured from 1925 to 1933. Self-loading pistol, copy of the FN Model 1903, hammerless, frame mounted safety, manufactured in 7.65 mm/.32 ACP with 22-round double-column removable magazine. Some with 140 mm extended barrel, weight 1,000 grams. Some models were selective fire. Llama I Manufactured from 1933 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, blowback operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911 in 7.65 mm/.32 ACP with nine-round magazine with a grip safety. Llama II Manufactured from 1933 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911 in 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with eight-round magazine and without grip safety. Llama III Manufactured from 1936 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911A1 in 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with seven-round magazine and with grip safety. Llama III-A Manufactured from 1954 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, blowback operation (earlier models up to about 1975: locked breech), miniature copy of Colt 1911 in 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with seven-round magazine and with grip safety. Also fitted with longer manual safety lever. Early models fitted with lanyard ring; later models replaced this with a ventilated rib and plastic target grips. Luxury finishes (including gold plating) and various engraving options were available. One of the most successful models in the Llama range. Llama IV Manufactured from 1932 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, copy of Colt 1911A1 in 9 mm Largo, 38acp with eight-round magazine, lanyard ring and without grip safety. Llama V Manufactured from 1932 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, copy of Colt 1911A1 in 9mm Largo, 38acp .38 Super and 9mmP without grip safety. For US export market. Llama VI Manufactured from 1932 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, miniature copy of Colt 1911A1 in 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with grip safety. This gun looked like the model III but had a barrel that was shorter and held only 6 rounds in the magazine. Usually marked Special Police on the right of slide. Llama VII Manufactured from 1932 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, copy of Colt 1911A1 in 9mm Largo,38 ACP and 9mmP with eight-round magazine, with grip safety. Available as Llama Extra model, one marked and Military and Police One marked Especial and one not marked in any way. Llama VIII Manufactured from 1932 to 1985. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, copy of Colt 1911A1 in .38 Super with eight-round magazine, grip safety, ventilated rib (in later models), single stack 8-round magazine and lanyard ring. A large capacity model, the Llama VIII-C, with a twin column 18-round magazine, rounded hammer spur and neoprene grips was made in the 1980s. Llama IX Manufactured from 1932 to 1954. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, copy of Colt 1911A1 in .45 ACP, with single-column 7-round magazine and lanyard ring. Llama IX-A Manufactured from 1955 to 1985. Identical to the Llama IX with a grip safety and a ventilated rib. This model was the mainstay of Llama's American export market. Llama IX-B Compact version of Llama IX-A. Llama IX-C Manufactured from 1994 to 1997. Similar to the Llama IX-A except for the 12-round double column magazine, inspired by the Para-Ordnance .45 calibre pistols. Fitted with special Swartz Safety to prevent accidental discharge when the pistol is dropped. Magazine capacity was later dropped to 10 rounds in late 1994 and several minor changes made to the hammer and safety. Llama IX-D Very similar to the IX-C model but featuring a shorter length barrel. 4.25 in (108 mm) as opposed to the IX-C's 5 in (127 mm) barrel. Probably inspired by the commander version of the Colt 1911. Llama X-A Manufactured from 1950 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, blow-back operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911 in 7.65 mm/.32 ACP with grip safety and loaded chamber indicator. Identical to III-A except for caliber. Llama XI Especial Manufactured from 1933 to 1954 and again in 1970 for a few years. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, based on Colt 1911A1 but with more ergonomic frame, in 9 mm Parabellum with lanyard ring and without grip safety. Ribbed wooden grips or plastic in the 1970 model, rounded-hammer, eight-round magazine. Well regarded, widely exported to Asia and popular during Spanish Civil War. Llama XI-A and Llama XI-B Manufactured from 1955 to 1995. Self-loading pistol, locked breech and blowback, based on Colt 1911A1, in 9 mm Parabellum with grip safety. Checkered wooden or plastic grips, spurred hammer, eight-round magazine. Apart from name and caliber, not directly based on Llama XI Especial. The Llama XI-B was a compact model. Subject to recalls in 1984 (Llama XI-A) and 1992 (Llama XI-B) due to risk of accidental discharge. Llama XII-B Manufactured from 1990 to 1995. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, based on Colt 1911A1, in .40 S&W calibre. Llama XV "Especial" Manufactured from 1954 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, blowback operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911 in .22 LR with grip safety. Identical to Llama III-A except for calibre. Llama XVI Manufactured from 1954 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, blowback operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911 in .22 LR with grip safety. Identical to Llama XV except for luxury finish (including gold plating) and various engraving options. Llama XVII Manufactured from 1963 to 1969. Self-loading pistol, blow-back operation in .22 RF, with single-column six-round magazine. Smaller version of Llama XV. One of the smallest Spanish pistols ever made, it was discontinued due to the US Gun Control Act of 1968. Llama XVIII Manufactured 1963–1969. Self-loading pistol, blow-back operation in 6.35 mm/.25 ACP, with single-column six-round magazine. Smaller version of Llama XV. One of the smallest Spanish pistols ever made, it was discontinued due to the US Gun Control Act of 1968. Llama XIX Manufactured from 1954 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, blowback operation, miniature copy of Colt 1911 in 9 mm corto/.380 ACP with grip safety. Also had a longer manual safety lever. Identical to Llama III-A except for lighter weight aluminium alloy frame. Omni I Manufactured from approximately 1980–1986. Self-loading pistol, original design with Browning 1935-type locked breech, in 45 ACP with single column seven-round magazine. Numerous modern features such as de-cocker safety lever. Omni II Manufactured from approximately 1980–1986. Self-loading pistol, original design with Browning 1935-type locked breech, in 9 mm Parabellum with single column nine-round magazine. Numerous modern features such as de-cocker safety lever. Omni III Manufactured approximately 1980–1986. Self-loading pistol, original design with Browning 1935-type locked breech, in 9 mm Parabellum with double column 13-round magazine. Numerous modern features such as de-cocker safety lever. Llama M-82 Manuactured from 1986 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, original design with Beretta falling-block type locked breech, in 9 mm Parabellum with double-stack 15-round magazine. Numerous modern features such as ambidextrous de-cocker safety lever, magazine safety, reversible magazine release. Best reliability with NATO specification ball ammunition. Adopted by Spanish Military in 1987. Llama M-87 Manufactured from 1986 to 1997. Self-loading pistol, original design with Beretta falling-block type locked breech, in 9 mm parabellum with double-stack 15-round magazine. Numerous modern features such as ambidextrous de-cocker safety lever, magazine safety, reversible magazine release. High-grade competition pistol based on M-82 with extended barrel, compensator, muzzle weight, target sights, target trigger, additional manual safety, extended magazine release, extended safety levers, and two-tone finish (chrome with blued slide). Despite the high price, the M-87 was greeted with excellent reviews on release Llama MAX-1 Also called MAX-I Government. Manufactured from 1995 to 2005. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, Colt 1911-A1 "clone", in .45 ACP (7-round magazine) .40 S&W (8-round magazine) and in 9 mm Parabellum (9-round magazine) but with reduced size mainspring housing. 5 1⁄8-inch barrel. High-polish blue or satin-chrome finish. Llama MAX-2 Manufactured from 1995-????. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, Colt 1911-A1 "clone", in .38 super with double-column 18-round magazine and reduced-size mainspring housing. Also manufactured a 10-round .45 ACP model with a double-stack magazine and a 4 1⁄4-inch barrel. For IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) competition. Limited manufacture. Llama MAX-I C/F Also called Max-I Compact. Manufactured 1995-????. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, Colt 1911-A1 "clone", in .45 ACP (7-round magazine), .40 S&W (8-round magazine) and in 9 mm Parabellum (9-round magazine) but with reduced size mainspring housing. High polish blue or satin-chrome finish. Shorter (4.25-inch barrel) and lighter model of the MAX-I. Llama Mini-Max Manufactured from 1995–2005. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, miniature version of Colt 1911-A1 in 9 mm Parabellum and 38 Super (8-round capacity), .40 S&W (7-round capacity) and .45 ACP (6-round capacity) with a 3.7-inch barrel. Extended safety lever, rounded hammer, Swartz safety, 3-dot sight, checkered neoprene grips and contoured trigger-guard. Standard 1911-type magazines could be used in the .45 ACP model to give 7 or 8-round capacity. Finishes include matte blue, satin chrome, two-tone and stainless steel. Llama Mini-Max II Manufactured from 1997 to 2005. Self-loading pistol, locked breech, miniature version of Colt 1911-A1 in 9 mm Parabellum (10-round capacity), .40 S&W (10-round capacity) and .45 ACP (10-round capacity) with a 3.7-inch barrel. Extended safety lever, rounded hammer, Swartz safety, 3-dot sight, checkered neoprene grips. International model available with higher capacity magazine. Llama Micro-Max Manufactured from early 1996's to 2005. Self-loading pistol, blow-back operation, miniature version of Colt 1911-A1 in 9 mm corto/.380 ACP (7-round capacity) and 7.65 mm/.32 ACP (8-round capacity). Extended safety lever, rounded hammer. Matt black finish only. Replacement for Llama III-A. Also available in high polished chrome. Bankruptcy and rescue efforts While an inability to rapidly modernise its manufacturing capability might have eventually doomed the company, it was the Asian Economic Crisis of the early 1990s that directly brought about the crisis that engulfed Llama. Spanish banks that had extended bad loans in East Asia tried to cover their losses by restricting credit domestically, including to Llama. Llama filed for bankruptcy in 1992, and in 1993 sixty of its gunsmiths and employees formed a co-operative to buy the Llama name and all of the equipment. These Gabilondo employees negotiated over a protracted period and finalised the transfer around 2000. The cooperative that took over was named Fabrinor Arma Corta y Microfusion, S.A. They moved the factory to Legutiano, and attempted to sell off Llama’s old property holdings. The company began to diversify offering not just handguns but precision parts made by investment casting. The main problem with the new group was sales were not rising fast enough to cover the old debt they inherited from Llama. Fabrinor was able to reschedule the debts in 2002 and again in 2003, but even public listing on the stock market didn't help generate the funds required. Thanks to regulatory intervention, Fabrinor was compelled to call a special shareholder meeting on 12 January 2005, to reveal fully to shareholders the company's financial situation, its plans to restructure into a limited partnership and the latest plans to reschedule its inherited debts. The plans were rejected and the plant in Legutiano was closed. Star (Bonifacio Echevarria S.A.) had gone under in 1993, its assets sold to rival Astra (Esperanza y Unceta, later Societa Unceta y Cia, then Astra-Unceta y Cia, finally Astar S.A.), which in turn collapsed completely in 1997. With the long lingering collapse of Fabrinor, the ruling post-depression triumvirate of Spanish pistol makers came to an end. The Llama trademark was registered in 1932 and pistols started to appear in 1933. There seems to have been a desire by Gabilondo for a clean break with the Ruby brand, given the adverse reputation that wartime Ruby-type pistols acquired (the majority of which, ironically, were not even manufactured by Gabilondo). These new pistols were based on the Colt M1911 and later the improved Colt model 1911-A1 model of 1924, but without the grip safety. Very early models were advertised in .45 ACP, 9mm Largo and 7.63mm Mauser. The Llama IV was the first model to appear,but was not numbered until a later date. The Llama V was chambered for 9mm Largo 38 acp, 38 super,and 9mm P for sale in the US. The Llama VII was chambered for 9mm Largo, 38 acp, 38 super, 9mm P and came it two different versions, a regular 5" length barrel and the Extra with a 5 1/2" barrel. Concurrent with the release of these large models, Gabilondo replaced the Danton with the Llama I and Llama II. The Llama I resembled a miniature copy of Colt 1911 in 7.65 mm/.32 ACP. As a locked breach was unnecessary for a pistol in this calibre, it was eliminated, as was the grip safety. Similar to previous Gabilondo models it had a nine-round magazine. The Llama II was chambered in 9 mm corto/.380ACP with an eight-round magazine and without grip safety. The Llama III was introduced with a grip safety, and locked breech. It was made in the same calibre and magazine capacity as the Llama II. The Llama I, II, and III was manufactured from 1933 to 1954. The arms manufacturers from Eibar in the Basque Country, Spain, made some great firearms, but unfortunately during the war, the quality work from some firms were not good. This gave Spanish arms a bad name in some circles. The Llama range handguns based on the 1911 Colt were made to rectify the reputation of this Company’s firearms. Ref: http://www.carbinesforcollectors.com/llamapage.html

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