GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SPANISH ASTRA M5004-E CONSTABLE, GOLD DAMASCENED, PRESENTATION.ASTRAPISTOL105008132MODERNCal. 32. Although Astra made thousands of M5004 Constable very few were gold Damascened and even fewer were completed with gold Damascened grips. This mid-sized single/double action pocket pistol, made to compete against the Walther PPK, has a 3-1/2" bbl and measures 6.25" in length and 4.5" in height. Fixed front sight and drift adjustable rear. The left side of the slide is fitted with a decocking safety that shrouds the firing pin. Takedown is in the usual manner with the release lever mounted on the frame just forward of the trigger. The SN is on the right side of the side and repeated on the right side of the frame. Though the Astra legend would normally be marked on the left side of the slide, most extensively engraved and Damascened guns have the legend relocated to the lower surface of the trigger guard, as found on this pistol. This gun was completed with a vegetal and animal motif whereby the decorated slide included two different dogs on the left side and a third dog on the right side. The left side of the grip has a cougar climbing a tree while the right side has two geese. The Astra logo appears on the frontstrap. Small parts, including the safety, hammer, slide release, takedown lever, trigger, mag release, and magazine, are chromed. Astra Firearms and Selected Competitors by Antaris, pg 480, shows this gun was completed in 1970. Accompanying documents support its later presentation to the President of Nicaragua, General Anatasio Samoza in 1977. Per a notarized statement by his Minister of Finance, the gun was carried on many occasions as General Somoza's personal weapon, explaining the dulling and minor finish losses. CONDITION: Approximately 99% gold Damascene coverage with slight surface dulling and minor oxidative losses. Negligible wear of the chromed parts and magazine. Excellent bore. Perfect manual mechanics. 50646-1 LMA (6,000-8,000)