astra 600 markings

These pistols were delivered to German Army via the Spanish-French border before it was closed by the Allies. SIG Sauer P322 Rimfire Pistol: First Look, 5 Best Red-Dot Optics for SIG Sauer P365X & XL Pistols, Non-Lethal Personal & Home Defense with Byrna, Range Tested: EAA Girsan Pistols & Shotguns, New for 2023: Christensen Arms Modern Hunting Rifle (MHR), New for 2023: All-American RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol, New for 2023: FN Rush 9Ti Pistol Suppressor, New Big Bore Pistols for 2023: FN 510 Tactical and FN 545 Tactical, New for 2023: FN SCAR 15P Rifle Caliber Pistol, First Look: Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum Revolver With 10.5-Inch Barrel, New-for-2023 Taurus Judge Executive Grade 410/.45 Colt Revolver, Smith & Wesson Equalizer and the Brand New M&P 5.7 Pistol. Illustrated catalogue, Pistols and guns, the property of B. Skou, Esq. (some coarsely checked and some finely checked) with no logo. The submission was a success, and the Spanish army adopted the pistol in September 1921. The Walther P38 and Luger will always be associated with the bad guys. I believe that the GB magazine you reference is post-war German police numbered magazine from an LBPN marked Astra. Not painful or anything though. No waffen acceptance stamps but a wolff spring kit for 11 bucks and a few mags from Numrich and I was off and running. Grips show minor handling wear and pistol has correct magazine. This pistol was very popular and was quickly adopted by the Spanish prison system and the Spanish navy. After the end of the war the Allied occupation forces disarmed the nationalized German Police, broke them down into smaller departments, and then re-armed them. SIGforum.com Main Page SIG Pistols I inherited my uncle Bill's Astra 600. For reasons we made unclear, many of the reworked and redipped guns had their magazines struck with a matching serial number. This Astra 600/43, displayed on an Armory Racks Wall Hugger, is unusual in it has markings of a wartime accepted gun, and a post-war deployed German Police gun. The Model 600 was extremely well made and well finished, as were all The company was established in Eibar, Spain, which was also the former home of Llama and Star firearms as well as dozens more. The range places the piece in a batch that was intended for the Nazis, but never delivered. There are two methods with a handgun. I understand that serial numbers up to 10500 were delivered to the Germans and WaAD20 accepted on the right tang. It became an eye-catching pistol in film and movies that stood out perfectly as the bad guy gun of choice. Wish now that I hadn't sold itif memory serves me correctly, the small parts were numbered, I suppose by a police armory. The cornerstone of my thinking (and question) is that 10450 Astra 600s (beyond the 50 test pistols) were manufactured and delivered to the German Armed forces in [occupied] Hendaye, France May June 1944. I'm thinking they were brought over sometime in the early 60's? Left: 9x23 Bergmann-Bayard (largo)Center: 9x19 9mm Parabellum (Luger)Right: 9x17 9mm Browning Short (.380 ACP). In 1957 and 1958 a limited edition of 200 were made with 7 inch barrels and designated the Falcon 7.. As with the Model 4000, the primary innovations were the [1] A smaller variant for both domestic and export sales, the Astra 300, was offered in .32 ACP and .380 ACP. The proofs are correct for auto pistols. Nonetheless, men in the field probably took advantage of this feature in various conflicts, particularly since 9mm Largo ammunition is This Astra 600, serial number 8901, was a First Contract weapon and WaAD20 proofed in 1944. That also left Astra with nearly 30,000 completed guns and parts, many of which had been ordered and paid for by Nazi Germany. MODELO 1921 (400). This model has serious history! In any event, the Spanish made Astra 600 was used extensively by post-war West German police forces. Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Optic-Ready Autoloading Shotgun: First Look, Silencer Central Streamlined Suppressor-Purchasing Process Shakes Up Industry, 7mm Remington Magnum vs. .270 Winchester: Tested and Compared, Revic Optics BR4 Ballistic Rangefinder: Review, Wilson Combat SFX9 5-Inch Solid Frame 9mm Pistol: First Look. Astra 600s were already being deployed extensively and perhaps the WaAD20 marked pistols were just another needed Astra 600, perhaps a no cost to them (pure speculation). The design is innovative for such an old gun and certainly different from most. The gun should be finished with a rust blue, and have wood checkered panels and an unnumbered magazine marked with the Astra E/U logo on the lip extension. I have seen many WaAD20 accepted Astra 600s (#10500 and below), and it is not uncommon to see them in very good shape. The numbered magazine, barrel bushing and barrel bushing lock were numbered post-war, presumably by the LBPN armorer. The Astra 600 uses an internal hammer thats not evident by the weapons appearance. They do pop up from time to time! It was replaced with the Model 4000. The new-for-2023 lineup includes ultralight hunting stocks and a VGA 2-pound adjustable vertical-grip stock. Some later barrels were stamped 9m/m. Conversion kits, consisting of an extra barrel and slide, were also available to convert the Model 4000 to .22 During World War II, even though Spain was neutral, they took part in the German war effort by producing the Astra 600 in 9mm Parabellum for the German army. The new RIA 5.0 Sporting Pistol from Rock Island Armory features a patented RVS Recoil system that maximizes barrel mass and linear movement to give shooters super soft recoil. [5] The Astra 600s that could not be delivered to the German government during World War II were then stored by the Spanish government. All markings and numbers are clearly visible on . I have seen a couple of examples of WaAD20 accepted Astra 600s (4-digit serial numbers) that are also LBPN marked, with the additional serial markings. There was no locked breech--like the Campo-Giro and the above- mentioned Browning designs, Give a Gift A straight blowback system also creates excessive recoil, and the Astra 600 is no different. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! It seems that the post-war German Police marked the frame/slide serial number or a sub-portion of it on the magazines, barrel bushing, and the barrel bushing lock, beyond what the Spanish did during original manufacture. Type I bear the Astra E/U logo atop the slide and are marked ESPERANZA Y UNCETA, GUERNICA ESPAA, MODELO 300. Examples with Nazi markings do bring a premium, but again, collectors need to look out for counterfeits. Serial numbers were stamped on frame, slide, and barrel. Spanish prison guards, port security, the coast guard, the police school in Madrid, various security guards, the Carabineros, the army artillery corps, and private individuals. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The pistol developed quite a reputation for this capability, and in France, it was given the nickname mange-tout, meaning "eats everything." on the slide. [6] Around fifteen pistols were manufactured to fire .32 ACP. Bob, a magazine by itself doesn't tell the whole story. The GB magazine could be from Astra #9011, or 19011, 29011, 39011, 49011, or 59011. Model: ASTRA Model 600/43 Serial Number: 50137 Year of Manufacture: 1945 Caliber: 9mm Parabellum Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine Markings: The top right rear of the slide is marked "UNCETA & COMPANIA S.A. / GUERNICA ESPANA". The "O" means 1944 manufacture. By 1943 the Model 600, chambered for the 9mm Parabellum, was in production, and the first 10,450 The extractor, grip Personally, it provides a more memorable experience at the range than your standard handgun. "Billboard" markings on the left side of the barrel cover; you can't miss them! Forum. Shifting gears back the start of this thread. THIRD REICH Proofed Spanish ASTRA Model 600 Semi-Auto 9x19mm GERMAN Pistol 1 of 10,500 WORLD WAR . The Astra 600, a slightly shorter and lighter version of the Astra 400 that is chambered in 9mm Luger, [6] was later developed for export sales, primarily to Nazi Germany. 600/43, 9mm PARABELLUM. What is the Value of your Astra Pistols? Design Details The Spanish built the Astra 600 to be a robust, durable, and simple firearm. You just hold it against a firm surface, like a shooting-bench, insert the pistol and push. In the course of disassembly you should ensure that the major components should be stamped with a matching number. 300s were stamped with UNCETA Y COMPAIA S.A. on the frame under the left grip, along with the last three digits of the serial number. Approximately 59,400 Astra 600s were manufactured before production ceased. Hey guys just picked up this astra 600 at the funshow today. longer than the Model 300, but the barrel length is the same. The best way to ensure an item is yours is to purchase it directly off the website. Astra has gone through several iterations, and the name still survives with a company based in Switzerland. I once owned a Star B that was LPN marked and had the remnants of the WaAD20 on the tang. You didn't even give the Model. The serial number is 14331. Gun #: 997900301. I was wondering what you could tell me about it: date of manufacture, current value, etc. Barrels are stamped on the bottom with the last three digits of the serial number. This is one that could not be delivered to the Germans during the war. hammer and was strongly influenced by the 1903 FN Browning Military pistol as well as the 1910 FN Browning. Its a tack driver that makes tiny groups and rings steel quite easily. Either not all Astra 600s made it into police use or not all were marked. Standard 9mm and NOT 9mm Largo. In 1945 the Astra company updated the Model 400 by lightening the slide, giving it a curved backstrap, moving the magazine release to the left side grip (as on the Models 300 and 600), and Only the first 10,500 are WaAD20 proofed. Explore over 425 Million sold for prices with item details and images. Serial numbers are stamped on the right slide and frame. 600/43. I understand that above 10500 were not delivered to the Germans during the war and most were sold to West Germany post-war for use by the police. I think this is LBPN practice. The Astra trademark was adopted on November 25, 1914. The Kar 98 Mauser: Development and Doctrine, 30-30 Winchester: An All-American Hunting Cartridge. Some Second Contract Astra 600s carry only original factory markings, while others have more extensive additional numbering. E/U abbreviated the company name, Esperanza y Unceta. To be certain that your example is original, it needs to be in the correct serial range and have the right side of the tang marked with waffenamt that consists of a E/WaAD20. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The Astra 600 was designated the Pistole Astra 600/43 when used by the German Military during World War II. The recoil spring was long and stiff and the slide was made thick and heavy to handle recoil from the powerful cartridge. Currently, all production consists of rifles for law enforcement and military use. As WWII pistols escalated in value, unscrupulous vendors began to fake Nazi markings. Chambered for the .380 ACP (9mm Kurz) or the .32 ACP (7.65mm), Produced by Unceta y Compania S.A. Guernica Espana in 1945 as indicated by the Spanish date code "p". View as List Grid . The upper/rear part of the slide displays the company address and model designation. Surplus firearms are tough to get into these days. Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. Sure, Brownings short recoil might be the superior choice, but the Astra 600 is the more interesting choice. Theproof on the right tang was applied by the Germans after acceptance of the guns in France. Later grips were of checkered wood No visible import markings.Manufacturer: AstraModel / Generation: 600/43Date of Mfg: VintageCaliber: 9mmType of Action: S I'm guessing that different police armories did things differently. Markings The Astra 600s that were sold to the German military during World War II are commonly referred to as "first contract" Astra 600s. The MP 36 was a submachine gun designed and produced by Germany during World War II. The left rear of the frame is marked with 3 proofs: a shield with "X", a . ), or soon after that, 7.65 mm Browning (.32 A.C.P.). Now if you find one with a serial number below 10,500, that was a Nazi issue piece. The left side of the slide features a Spanish proof. The demand of new ASTRA 600 pistol's has not changed over the past 12 months. It works beautifully and only costs about $20. Due to their scarcity and Nazi history, these guns will go for anywhere from $700-$1,000, depending on condition. Let us know what topics you would be interested: 2023 GunMag Warehouse. Here is a very early marked Astra numbered magazine on GB! Later production guns which were exported were usually stamped MADE IN SPAIN. Given the sale of undelivered Astra to the German Police, I would not expect to see WaAD20 pistols also LBPN marked. There is no way to know if it saw Wehrmacht service before the end of the war. Contrary to the inserted advertisement circa 1964, there was no documentation to suggest that M600s were the choice of the Luftwaffe.. Models were made to chamber both the 9MM Luger cartridge and the .32 ACP. .505 Gibbs Rifle Brass 'H H' Headstamp: Maker and Quality Info Sought. This group of pistols with serial numbers greater than 10,500, is sometime referred to by collectors as the Second Contract.. It was discontinued sometime around 1986. I have a Astra model 600/43 pistol with serial number 4029. The magazine release is at the bottom of the grip but on the left-hand side. Markings: The top right rear of the slide is marked "UNCETA & COMPANIA S.A. / GUERNICA ESPANA". The .38 Super will chamber and fire, but has been known to crack What a great gun for any collector. Upon receipt by Germany, the guns were acceptance stamped with an E/WaAD20 on the right tang and issued with black leather holsters, stitched with white cotton thread, that held an extra unnumbered magazine. Page 1 2 . Astra-Unceta y Cia S.A., more commonly referred to as Astra, got its start in July of 1908 as a company to sell all types of machinery. In addition, they are extremely reliable. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. It looked similar, had the same hefty recoil spring surrounding the barrel, but was slightly smaller and chambered in 9mm Parabellum due to an order by the Germans in 1943 who called it the Pistole Astra 600/43. The numbers on your gun should be the same, so somewhere along the line the frame and slide became mismatched. I have Astra #16020, LBPN marked, with a magazine marked 6020. Other brands, products, or service names mentioned are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Beginning in 1929, Type II pistols bear the Astra U/C logo atop the slide and are marked UNCETA Y COMPAIA S.A., GUERNICA ESPAA. The condition doesn't suggest much to me. All the waffenamt procurement pistols, serialed between 51-10500, were stamped WaAD20 on the right tang. These were exported to Nazi Germany and were also sold on the civilian market. This pistol was delivered on July 16 of 1944 in the last batch of Nazi ordered Astra 600s, and it retains about 95-97% of the original blue with minor edge wear, and a couple small areas of finish loss on the trigger guard and front strap. The 10,500 that made it to the Nazis wear the Wermacht inspection mark and are generally the more collectible models. The frame is still nicely blued, but it appears that someone tried to scratch up the Waffen WaAD20 mark it is still visible and legible, but is covered in tiny scratches. Astra M600 Nazi Range pistols currently available from Historic Investments: No products were found matching your selection. In 1949 Astra sold all the remaining pistols in . Great piece of shootable history . pried out rather than punched out. RJK. a pistol which was marked STAR. top and bottom and the letter E superposed at the top and U at the bottom. pistols (Type II, starting in the mid-43,000 serial number range) featured the U/C logo on top of the slide and were marked UNCETA Y COMPAIA, GUERNICA ESPAA, PISTOLA DE 9 m/m (38), In August of 1921 the Astra Model 400 (also known as the Model 1921) was approved for use by the Spanish army, and was subsequently adopted by the Spanish Carabineros (Guardia Civil), the Left side frame under grip marked Unceta y Compania logo and last four digits. New . standard Spanish military sidearm until 1946. Stanley Tools Pistol Grip Saw Sets No 42SS No 43, Ancient Edged Weapons, Pistols, Guns, Cross-Bow, Etc. Our example has no such markings. Catalogue of the Valuable Collection of Rare Old Pistols and Guns, formed by Dr. A. L. Fisher.

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