Astra 600
I was given an Astra Model 600/43 in 9mm by my brother-in-law that never shot it in the 20 years he had it. It has ordinance marks on the left rear of the frame, behind the grip panel. One is the "flaming bomb type", with a letter P in it. Next to that is a capital P with a small asterisk over it. Next to that is a "box" with the same letter P inside it, with a small design over it that I cannot make out. Looking down on the top of the slide, On the left rear of the slide is the same "flaming bomb" mark, with the same P inside it. On the upper left side of the rear of the slide is the wording, "Astra" MOD. 600/43. Below that is the wording, 9m/m PARABELLUM. Looking down on the slide, on the ejection port side, at the top of the rear, is the wording UNCETA Y COMPANIA S.A. Below that is GUERNICA ESPANA. Looking in through the ejection port, the barrel has the same "flaming bomb" proofmark with a P inside it. On the right hand side of the slide, at the rear, is the serial # 57265. It is repeated on the frame directly below the top #. With the slide cocked back, from underneath can be seen the # 7265, on the slide rail. The gun has checkered wood grips, with no discernable finish on them, in perfect condition. It also has the grip safety, that works perfectly. The pistol came to me with 2 Astra marked magazines, both in like new condition. It also came in a shiny black holster, with a pouch on the side for the second magazine. This pistol has practically all of it's original blue, with no sign of being carried. It has a slight line of corrosion on the front right side of the slide, about 1 inch long, which I think may have come from being improperly stored. The gun is extremely accurate, and operates flawlessly. I would like to know how many of the '43 models were commercial, and how can a Nazi version be identified. I feel there would be some type of "eagle" design or some mark recognizable as being German military. Also, is there any collector interest in these pistols. Some folks find them to be odd looking, with a round barrel and squared slide. Does anyone have a ballpark as to worth of this piece? I'm sorry about the long post, I'm just trying to be thorough, since I don't have photos. Any help is HUGELY appreciated! Barry L.
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Your serial number is very high for 600. Just under 60,000 were made, most post W W II. The Germans just got their hands on the first 10,000 or so.
With the pitting on the slide, my WAG is $200 - $300.
Got this picture of one of the few 600's that was actually used by the Germans. It belongs to Pancho and is one of the many excellent pistols pictured on his site.
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The serial number and Waffenamt on the right rear are the only ways to ID the Nazi accepted ones. There were a few fake ones floating around, but knowing the serno range put them down pretty quick.
Intrestingly enough, yours probably was German used. After the allies sealed the border between Spain and German, Spain held on the the remaining 600's until after the war and then sold them to the Federal Republic of Germany for use by their border guards.
There was a cowhand once who said that Shakespeare was the only poet who wrote like he'd been raised on red meat.
No man in his right mind will play with a gun. I've seen show-offs doing fancy spins and all that. No real gun-fighter ever did. With a hairtrigger, he'd be likely to blow a hole in his belly. L'Amour
Stolen from, and with thanks, to Kiwibird0 -
Rufe,can you Please post a link to that site?
Thank You.[^]
When a worm wants to relax,does he go fishing?
ATF,Eagle Guns0 -
Art- Just in case Rufe doesn't stop by for awhile...here it is
www.panchogun.com
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob0 -
quote:Originally posted by ATF
Rufe,can you Please post a link to that site?
Thank You.[^]
ATF,Eagle Guns
http://www.panchogun.com/IndexAllGuns.html0 -
Thanks to both of you.
[^][:)][:p][:D][^][8D]
When a worm wants to relax,does he go fishing?
ATF,Eagle Guns0 -
As usual, I'm obliged to you guys for the info on this strange looking pistol. I figured it hasn't been in combat due to it's condition, and, since it's not really an unusual specimen, I'll just take it out occasionally and put holes in things with it. Thanks so much, folks, for going to the trouble to educate me! Barry L. 0 -
Guys, one last question and I'll leave you alone! Is it common to find these pistols without the Astra logo on them? I'm talking about the round Astra logo shown in the link you guys furnished. I notice this pistol doesn't have that symbol anywhere on it. Were some sold without it? Just wondering and thanks again. Barry 0 -
Mine didn;t either. nambu 0 -
I would learn how to clean it too. These things are a pain the first few times you do it. 0
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