Guns International #: 102261709
Seller's Inventory #: 228386

Category - Astra Pistols - Handguns - European Pistols

Category
Astra Pistols
Handguns - European Pistols

THIRD REICH Proofed Spanish ASTRA Model 600 Semi-Auto 9x19mm GERMAN Pistol 1 of 10,500 WORLD WAR II Sidearms w/HOLSTER & BELT

Description:
THIRD REICH Proofed Spanish ASTRA Model 600 Semi-Auto 9x19mm GERMAN Pistol

1 of 10,500 WORLD WAR II Sidearms w/HOLSTER & BELT

Here we present a C&R Spanish Unceta S.A. Astra Model 600 Semi-Automatic Pistol chambered in 9x19mm and made circa 1944. When Germany acquired a land border with Spain after the French capitulation in 1940, they took advantage of the opportunity to purchase Spanish firearms and have them delivered across the French border to the town of Hendaye. A German inspection office was set up there for use with both Spanish arms and Unique pistols. The first purchases from Spain were the Astra 300 and Astra 400 pistols. The 300s were fine, but were chambered in .380 and .32 caliber. The Astra 400 was a more suitable service sidearm, but it was chambered for the 9x23mm cartridge which Germany did not use. So, in 1943, a couple of German engineers visited Astra to see about production of a pistol more suited to the Wehrmacht use.

The result was the Astra 600/43, which was basically a model 400 rechambered for 9x19mm. It was generally more in line with what the German military wanted. Germany ordered 41,500 of them, and production began. The first delivery was in May of 1944, and a total of 10,500 were delivered to Hendaye before Allied advances into France made further deliveries impossible. These 10,500 guns were inspected at Hendaye, given WaAD20 proof marks, and distributed into the German military system. Astra continued to produce the guns through 1945 despite the inability to deliver (Germany had paid for them in advance, after all), and by the end of the war they had nearly 50,000 available. Some were sold on the Spanish civilian market, and a few small sales were made to militaries worldwide (Portugal, Chile, Jordan, Turkey, etc) as well as the Spanish government. But the bulk of the guns remained in inventory or storage until 1951, when the West German Police adopted the gun, and bought everything Astra still had (45,350 approximately). These were later amalgamated into the Bundeswehr inventory in 1956, before being replaced by the Walther P1 in 1961.

The overall condition is nearing fine. Original finish. Excellent action. Excellent bore, bright and rifled. Sharp markings. Numbers match. it may not be original to the gun, but the magazine is an original Astra magazine. Very good holster rig.

This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.

Barrel is 5-1/4 inches.

Caliber: 9x19mm

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL or C&R licensee. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns         

$1500

#228386
 

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes