Make: Gaztanaga y Compania, imported by C.A.I.
Model: Destroyer Carbine
Serial Number: 45736
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Caliber: 9mm Bergmann (9x23mm Largo)
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle Fed By Detachable Magazines
Barrel Length: 21 1/4"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post dovetailed to a raised banded base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding ladder-style sight presenting a fixed "V"-notch when down and with a "V"-notch slider on the ladder graduated from 100-700 meters..
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth wood with metal nosecap, barrel band with sling swivel, sling swivel screw-mounted to the left of the buttstock, press-checkered steel buttplate, semi-pistol grip and straight comb. The stock has some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are a couple of tiny losses around the rear edge of the trigger guard. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with scattered nicks and scratches. The plate has minor rotational play to the stock. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original, assembly numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is tool chatter across the lands and some scattered light pitting. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There are evenly scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. There is some minor oxidation on the bright-finished parts of the bolt assembly. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to slightly disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a total of fourteen 6-round magazines and eight 25 round boxes of Santa Barbara Tetrinox non-corrosive ammunition, total 200 cartridges.
Our Assessment: The Spanish Destroyer Carbine in 9mm Bergmann (9x23mm Largo) is a bolt-action carbine developed in Spain in the early 1930s. Primarily issued to Spanish police and security forces, this compact and lightweight carbine was intended to be a rugged, reliable firearm for law enforcement. Its design drew from the Mauser system, featuring a controlled-feed bolt and a similar layout, but it was chambered in a more manageable cartridge better suited to close-range applications than the larger rifle cartridges used by the military. The 9mm Bergmann cartridge, a unique choice for a carbine, provided more stopping power and range than a handgun round while allowing for less recoil and a smaller firearm than traditional service rifles. The Destroyer Carbine also featured a 6-round detachable magazine, allowing for rapid reloading, a key advantage in policing scenarios where a quick response was essential. The carbine's light recoil and ease of control made it ideal for users unaccustomed to the heavier recoil of standard military rifles.
These carbines are noted for their simplicity and durability. The Destroyer Carbine remained in service for several decades, with some variants produced and adapted to accept different calibers and magazine types. Today, it's a sought-after piece among collectors of Spanish military and law enforcement firearms, both for its unique design and its historical significance in Spanish police history. This example, with ample magazines and some ammunition to get you started will be a great addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
