Garrucha (pistol)

Garrucha
Type Pistol
Place of origin  Brazil
Production history
Manufacturer Castilo
Rossi
Lerap
Produced Circa 1730s-1960s
Specifications
Cartridge .320
.380
.32 S&W
.38 S&W
.22 Short
.22 Long
.22 Long Rifle
.32
8mm
9mm Flobert
Barrels 1
2
Action Single Action
Sights Iron

The garrucha is a small pistol, similar to a derringer, common in southern Brazil and Argentina in the early 20th Century. It is usually double-barreled,[1] though with the barrels side-by-side rather than vertical as is common in American derringers, and the bores can be rifled or smooth.

In Brazil, the most popular chamberings were for the .320 and .380 centrefire cartridges, similar to the .32 S&W and .38 S&W in appearance, but conical. They were also chambered for the .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle, and the .32, 8mm, and 9mm Flobert cartridges, among others.

These types of pistols were popular from 1730-1960 due to their low cost and small size, and were associated with the gauchos (cowboys) of the South American pampas.

In Brazil, Garruchas were produced by Castelo, Rossi, and Lerap.

A garrucha in .320 caliber
Garrucha pistol opened for loading.


References

  1. ↑ Smithsonian Institution. Institute of Social Anthropology (1951). Cruz das Almas, a Brazilian village. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 222.

Further reading

See also

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