I have #39688 no LBPN. As with the Model 4000, the primary innovations were the Pistols manufactured in 1924 are stamped with that date 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. Only 19 Model 700 prototypes were made, as the Spanish military did not approve the pistol for use. Barrels are stamped on the bottom with the last three digits of the serial number. At 39 ounces unloaded it's no lightweight, but then you wouldn't want a straight blowback 9mm to be. Designed by Unceta y Cia, it was a shortened version of the Astra 400 manufactured to fire 919mm Parabellum, which was the standard pistol ammunition for Germany at the time. No visible import markings.Manufacturer: AstraModel / Generation: 600/43Date of Mfg: VintageCaliber: 9mmType of Action: S Eventually When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Most Astra pistols are marked on the top strap with the name "Astra" along with the model designation. Spotted this at the gun auction from hell and decided to take a chance on it due to the condition. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. In 1943, when it was clear that the war would be a prolonged conflict, Germany dispatched two engineers to Astra. I picked up this very nice condition Astra model 600/43 West German police contract pistol & holster rig last weekend. Unlike second contract (undelivered) Astra 600s, they are stamped WaAD20 on the right tang. The weapon has a grip safety, a magazine safety, and a manual safety. Have you entertained the thought that an inspector from the German procurement offices could have been stationed in Spain looking after both Star and Astra contracts, the Germans had a hand in the 600 design. The sights are very 1940s. The Seller says it is from a Nazi Astra, but that is not certain. Astra pistols. Sure, Brownings short recoil might be the superior choice, but the Astra 600 is the more interesting choice. Perhaps if you posted some detailed photos this Astra it would help and give some clues, although I still think you are making more of this mismatch that is warranted. Full Details. From appearances and the lack of markings it was a civilian-sale gun. The Astra 600 was a Spanish semi-automatic pistol used during World War II by the Wehrmacht. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery, SOLD - Excellent Astra 600 - Nazi Contract, 73 Plank Ave Paoli, Customized M600 with ventilated slide and modified safety. models. external hammer and the elimination of the grip safety. Firearms shown here are for display and education purposed only. Other brands, products, or service names mentioned are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. I'm thinking they were brought over sometime in the early 60's? These were exported to Nazi Germany and were also sold on the civilian market. Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine. There was no locked breech--like the Campo-Giro and the above- mentioned Browning designs, Later grips were checkered walnut with an Astra medallion or plain Handgun Manufacturer Detail Astra www.genitron.com. SS1908-137 . were delivered to the Nazis were given a Waffenamt inspection proof consisting of a stylized eagle over WaAD20. E/U abbreviated the company name, Esperanza y Unceta. Numbered 608721, finish is beautiful, holster and extra clips in excellent shape, has 6 bul read more Give a Gift It would have more value and interest if it saw use with the Germans in World War II, and if the numbers were the same. This pistol had an external hammer, no grip safety, and plastic grips. However, my Model 300 only has the serial number digits in this location. Ben Voss FN Product Manager talks about the new FN SCAR 15P ultra-compact rifle-caliber pistol at SHOT Show 2023. 2020 Standard Catalog of Firearms: The Collectors Price & Reference Guide by Jerry Lee. It did come with the correct black leather full flap police/military type holster. In the late '70s and '80s, the company faced a decline in sales that led to the 1998 merger of Astra y Unceta Cia and the bankrupt Star Bonifacio Echeverria S.A. . It would seem the same is true for the Star you once owned. I believe it's a model 300. Want to add to your collection? 1903 Front Sight Cover, Parkerized, No Markings . The new Dr. Antaris book also has some specifics on the importation of M1921s (400). WOW! Taurus Marketing Manager Caleb Giddings highlights the features of the new Taurus Raging Hunter 460 Magnum, a purpose-built revolver with a 10.5-inch barrel and an effective recoil-taming brake, with Guns & Ammo Executive Editor Joe Kurtenbach. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The "O" is the year code. The frame was altered to have a solid contoured backstrap sans safety. Approximately 60,000 of these pistols were ordered and paid for by Nazi Germany from Astra in late 1943 to be shipped through occupied France to Germany. I have Astra #16020, LBPN marked, with a magazine marked 6020. ). Excellent action. The earliest Model 400s (Type I) had the original E/U logo atop the slide and were marked on the rear slide ESPERANZA Y UNCETA, GUERNICA ESPAA, PISTOLA DE 9 m/m, MODELO 1921. In 1943 the German government requested Unceta y Cia redesign the Astra 400 to fire the 919mm Parabellum cartridge. the Astra 400 was blowback operated. 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. This late M600 was made for the German Police and marked LBPN on the frontstrap. The new rifle is built on an aluminum billet chassis with carbon-fiber forend and cheek riser featuring V-block bedding. The Astra 600 was very similar to the Astra 400 but chambered in 9mm Parabellum. The Knight's helmet and shield means it was accepted, a admission into service mark. We dont know for certain, but these likely came from stock piles of confiscated side arms from the German army and / or depots of unissued side arms. The Astra trigger pull was a bit long, somewhat creepy, and somewhat heavy. The price of the Astra 600 will largely be tied to the individual guns history. The left side of the frame is marked with several Spanish proofs including the date code "0". The Astra 300 was introduced a year after the Astra 400. The Astras were used by the Army and various Police organizations, including the LPN (Landespolizei Niederschsen) and LBPN (Landesbereitschaftspolizei Niederschsen). Instead, it sat in Spain till after the war. Prices have exploded, and lots of surplus stock has dried up. The 10,500 that made it to the Nazis wear the Wermacht inspection mark and are generally the more collectible models. [6] The strong spring could make it difficult for individuals with weak hands to retract the slide making disassembly and cleaning difficult. It works but it does deliver a stiff experience when you try to chamber a round. Quantity shipment commenced in May 1944. The numbered magazine, barrel bushing and barrel bushing lock were numbered post-war, presumably by the LBPN armorer. Some later barrels were stamped 9m/m. The Germans liked the Astra 600 well enough to place an initial order for 10,000 pistols. Model: ASTRA Model 600/43. We believe we sell living history, and honor the veterans who fought and died for our freedoms. There is reference to a third purchase in 1993 by Interarms, which, of course, would be import marked. The various models were sold to various police forces around the world, and a number were imported to the United States. It's not inexpensive, but the value of the book is extremely high. LPN and LBPN marked Astra 600s are not uncommon, but one like 8901 that is also WaAD20 proofed, is, in my observation, quite unusual. Like both of those pistols, the Astra 600 also gets that rap, but in a different way. This is the infamous force whose craven bombing and Further, in the course of reworking, many of these guns have been redipped, now having a darker hue, and in the process, blueing the previously unfinished inner surfaces. . This is about an Astra 600/43 with an unusual history. An additional 3,550 guns that had been in the process of being assembled but had not been paid for were completed and exported beginning in October 1950. The Allied invasion of France interrupted Astras shipments to the German forces that had been previously stationed in Hendaye and Bordeaux, France. Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297, If it's a 9mm Parabellum, then it's an Astra 600. Now if you find one with a serial number below 10,500, that was a Nazi issue piece. The s/n falls in with the batch that was sold to the West German Police after WW II. Many will have German acceptance marks. aznation Member 9,860 Location: Oklahoma City #9 Posted January 6, 2019 If anyone has even a casual interest in Astras, Dr. Antaris new book is a must. Copyright 2008 & 2009 by Ed Buffaloe. You can get a magazine from Triple K: triplek.com, or email sales@triplek.com, or call 619-232-2066. Due to the Allied forces invasion of Southern France, the second order was never delivered, and the remaining production of the Model 600 was I dont believe that there are any known examples of serial numbers above 10500 with genuine WaAD20 stampings. These Astras were Eagle over WaAD20 proofed in France by the Germans, and made ready for use by the Wehrmacht. Various Types Of 12 Gauge Buckshot: The Buck Stops Here! Antaris states that Type II Model The serial number is 14331. That also left Astra with nearly 30,000 completed guns and parts, many of which had been ordered and paid for by Nazi Germany. 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. The leather is crisp and clean, with an interior maker stamp and waffen proof stamp embossed in the leather. Contrary to the inserted advertisement circa 1964, there was no documentation to suggest that M600s were the choice of the Luftwaffe.. Gun Digest, 1974Astra Models 400, 600, & 300, by Robert T. Shimek. The upper/rear part of the slide displays the company address and model designation. Mike, great piece of history on the Astras. The Waffenamt markings and serial number ranges for Nazi-associated Astra pistols is well known and documented, and pistols falling into these ranges are worth 3-4 times what the unmarked specimens go for. Pinch the release and pull it out. I would have thought that most of the WaAD20 pistols were war trophies or destroyed. Produced by Unceta y Compania S.A. Guernica Espana in 1945 as indicated by the Spanish date code "p". Later Model 600 pistols did not have the Astra logo at all, and were marked on the rear of the slide New . Neither of the magazines are numbered. Its a tack driver that makes tiny groups and rings steel quite easily. My own Model 300, which was one of the first 6000 shipped to the Nazis, is beautifully finished and reasonably accurate, with a relatively light trigger pull. He invaded numerous countries, one being France, which shared a border with Spain. Do Pistols Benefit From Popular Aftermarket Modifications? These pistols were delivered to German Army via the Spanish-French border before it was closed by the Allies. All Rights Reserved. Not all pistols were marked this way, and the marks are more consistently seen on plastic grips than wooden grips. 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. Theproof on the right tang was applied by the Germans after acceptance of the guns in France. Qty Add to Cart. Small, simple, and not the fastest sights for combat shooting. The 12 month average price is $707.08 used.