GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
Lot #3668:
STAR, ASTRA, ASTRA B, 600, 400, 244294, 9472, 95172, 9MM PARABELLUM, 9MM PARABELLUM, 9MM LARGO, MODERN; C&R; IMPORT
NAZI PISTOLS MADE IN SPAIN: STAR B, ASTRA M600, ASTRA M400. STAR, ASTRA, ASTRA B, 600, 400 244294, 9472, 95172 9MM PARABELLUM, 9MM PARABELLUM, 9MM LARGO MODERN; C&R; IMPORT 1) Cal. 9mm Parabellum. Nazi procurement Star Model B with left slide marking "F.Patr08" followed by the usual 2-line Star address. The Eibar proofing triad that includes the N year code, was applied to the left frame. With the automatic pistol proof reappearing on the left side of the slide behind the serrations and the right side of the exposed bbl hood that is also marked "CAL.08.". Waffenamt acceptance eagle/WaAD20 appearing on the right tang. Lanyard stud missing ring. Bottom of frame marked with "B" and SN "244294". Fitted with wood checkered grips with prominent diamonds around the screws and border. Standard Star magazine marked "STAR" on floorplate. 2) Cal. 9mm Parabellum. Astra M600, one of approx 10,000 such pistols procured by the Nazis. Standard 5-1/2" bbl with slide having fixed front & rear sight. Top of slide with split 2-line "UNCETA Y COMPANIA S.A./GUERNICA SPAIN" legend. Circular Astra logo on forward slide. The left tang is marked with Eibar proofing triad with the automatic pistol proof repeated on the rear of the left slide and on the right side of the bbl where exposed in the ejection port. This portion of the bbl is also marked "PIST.PATR.08." The SN appears on the right side of the slide, right tang and internally under the chamber. Adjacent to the SN on the frame is a double stamped eagle/WaAD20 acceptance. Fitted with uniformly checkered wood grips that are unmarked. Correct Astra magazine whose base was armorer matched "9472" followed by "1". 3) Cal. 9mm Largo. Astra supplied 6000 Model 400 pistols to the Nazi military in the serial range 92,851 - 98,850. This pistol, SN "95172", falls in the middle of that range. As per standard production guns, it has a 6" bbl and a slide with fixed front & rear sight. The front of the slide is marked with Astra U/C logo while the rear of the slide has the usual 4-line Astra address that includes the model designation. The back end of the slide has been drilled to accept a slotted screw, presumably to allow removal of the firing pin. The Eibar proofing triad including the "M" year code was applied to the left tang with the automatic pistol proof having been applied to the left side of the slide and the right side of the bbl where visible in the ejection port. Additional markings are on the bbl include the caliber "9M/M&38" along with the full SN that is repeated on the right side of the slide and the right tang. Safety and trigger are in-the-white and fitted with fully checkered grip panels. Unnumbered Astra magazine with the Astra "E/U" logo on the floorplate. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: 1) Approx 40% blue, largely in protected areas, the balance having transitioned to a brown/grey. Same general condition applied to grips that are discolored. Small chips missing from left panel and both have splits near lower screw. VG-excellent magazine. Bright bore with scattered oxidation. Perfect manual mechanics. 2) Approx 95% redip blue. Although external appearance is excellent, extractor has been salt blued as are internal surfaces of slide and frame. Excellent condition grips with sharp checkering and minimal losses. Comparable condition magazine. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. 3) Approx 65-70% high polish reblue with freckling and thinning in areas of usual contact. Grips are in slightly better condition though checkering, particularly on the right panel, is blunted. VG condition magazine with orig finish. Slightly dulled bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. 43475-203 LMA (2,000-3,000)
ASTRA M600/43 9472 9MM MODERN
ASTRA P400 95172 9MM MODERN