Guns International #: 102933633
Seller's Inventory #: CM21-2302

Category - Astra Pistols - Military Pistols - Non-US

Category
Astra Pistols
Military Pistols - Non-US

1923 Vintage Astra Model 1921 / 400 in 9mm Largo * Scarce Carabineros (Royal Guard) Crest-Stamped Pistol *

Description:
This is a very neat and interesting all-original non-import marked Astra Model 1921, also known as the Astra 400, chambered in 9mm Largo.  The Model 400 was also offered in 7.3mm and 7.65mm caliber but these are very scarce.  This particular 9mm Largo gun is particularly interesting in that in addition to the normal Astra logo on the top of the slide, it also has the Carabineros crest stamped just ahead of it.  The Spanish Military/Government procurred just about 8000 of these Astras for the Cabineros in 1923 only.  The Cabinero-marked guns were often referred to as the "Guardia Civil" or "Royal Guard" pistols.  The Carabineros were horse-mounted and/or mechanized troops responsible for securing the country's borders and curtailing the various smuggling occuring during that periof of time.   The semi-auto Astra Model 400 was designed as a blow-back operated pistol with a 150mm long barrel, a removable barrel bushing, a left-side mounted thumb safety/slide lock, a heel-mounted magazine release, an internal magazine safety, fixed iron "battle" sights, and fully-checkered Walnut, plastic, horn, or black hard rubber grips.  This particular example was manfactured in 1923, chambered in 9mm Largo, and features fully-checkered factory Walnut grips.  While this pistol does show some age and patina on the exterior, the internals and mechanics are in near-perfect condition with little to no mechanical wear visible.  The factory blue finish rates 85 to 90% plus.  The vast majority of the factory blue finish is still intact and attractive, but there are lots of minor scattered handling and use marks visible in the finish.  The polished in-the-white trigger, safety, and barrel bushing are still in good shape with minimal wear/staining, while the fire-blued extractor, grip screws, and magazine release have all aged to a browninh blue.  All of the factory markings/stamps and proofs are still fully-intact and crisp, and all three of the serial numbered parts are original matching including the frame, barrel, and slide.  The bore in this Astra is goood to average.  The rifling is still well-defined and sharp throughout the 6" barrel, but there is some frosting and extremely shallow frosting/pitting visible mainly in the gooves.  As it sits now, we have no doubt that it will still shoot just as accurately today as it did in 1923 over 99 years ago.  The original grip panels on this Astra are in excellent chape overall. Both sides are free from any cracks, chips, repairs, or major dings/wear.  Both grip panles are expertly fit to the gun, a perfect match to each other in every regard,  and tight to the metal grip frame with no wiggle. The slide-to-frame fitment is excellent and tight with no slop in it, and when the barrel is "in battery" it locks up perfectly tight.  All of the controls on this Model 1921 are in perfect working order inside and out.  This Astra Model 1921 Model 400 is a very neat gun that likely witnessed a great deal of neat Spanish history and perhaps some European history as well,  If  you have been looking for a fresh "out of the woodwork" Astra 400 or Model 1921 here is your chance to get one that has spents decades off the collector's maket.  As this pistol was made in 1923, it is C&R eligible due to being more than 50 years ago.      

Price: $450.00

Curio/Relic: Yes
Handgun Caliber: 9mm Largo (9mm Bergmann-Bayard, 9x23mm Largo)
Manufacturer: Astra
Model: Model 1921 / Model 400 Carabineros Royal Guard Issue
Serial Number: 13211
Barrel Length: 6" Inches
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Good
Wood Condition: Good / Very Good
Bore Condition: Good / Average
Action: Semi-Auto
Finish: Rust Blue / Polished in the "White" / Fire Blue
Sights: Fixed Iron Sights
Manufacture Date: 1923
Grips: Full-Checkered Walnut