J P Sauer 1913 and Spanish Astra 300

[Aragorn243]

These are my two most recent handgun purchases. I apologize up front for scrubbing the serial numbers but I'm just not comfortable with that and handguns.

The first is an Astra 300 which I found at Cabelas in Delaware and had shipped to the Hamburg Cabelas in PA so I could purchase it. These were produced by Spain and used widely in the Spanish Civil War. Contracts were also purchased by the French and by Germany. This particular example was purchased by the Spanish army prior to the Spanish Civil War. It is a blowback design, VERY difficult to cycle due to the strength of the spring. Caliber is 9mm Largo which is essentially an enlarged 9mm. Ammo is now scarce. I'm hoping Privi picks it up. In the meantime, I believe it can be reloaded using 9mm dies. It is said that these can also utilize 9mm ammo but the only thing holding the cartridge is the extractor. I'm not planning to try that. I have managed to find an original holster for it with a shoulder strap. That came from Sarco and needs some attention. They recommend neatsfoot oil which I have not yet located.

The second is a J P Sauer model 1913. Produced in Germany in time for WWI. There are several different variations of this model and I believe this is the 2nd version with standard safety lever. The vast majority of these were produced for the civilian market although it was extremely popular as a pocket pistol for officers and thousands were purchased by them for this purpose. A relatively small number, approximately 40,000 were purchased by the military although it has been speculated that not even that many were bought. It is however the serial number range that contains military proofs. This example is part of the military purchase. Imperial acceptance stamp is next to the N proof mark. These pistols were marked either in this location or just in front of the trigger guard. This is also a blowback action with a striker firing mechanism. Very easy to manipulate but difficult to lock in the open position. It does not lock when on an empty magazine. You must pull back with one hand while pushing up on the small lever above the trigger. Production ended around 1930. Many of these were still carried in WWII and many were brought back after the war. Caliber is 32 Auto. Mike has one of these left if anyone is interested but it is not military marked.

Both pistols are matching with excellent bores. The Astra magazine is unmarked. The Sauer magazines are not serialized.

The final pic is the pair for a size comparison. The Astra is larger than a 1911.





[img]http://i.imgur.com/TZiT***.jpg[/img]

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Neat where the top gun was made, a town that was famous for being reduced to rubble during the Spanish Civil war by the Condor Legion.

I'd be having a go at manufacturing 9 Largo from something else...

[Aragorn243]

Brass for the 9mm largo is available and I was going to buy some at the last show but forgot.

[browningautorifle]

That would be the way to go anyway, buy as much as you can possibly need for that one gun and load for it. I would...like my Navy Lee rifle, and had shooting quantities... It should shoot nice...

Yes, starline makes it.

[Sarge]

Typo or ???
You have an Astra 400, Not a 300. The 300 was only made in 7.65 & 9mm corto = 32 acp & 380.
Sarge

[Aragorn243]

Not a typo, a brain fart. You are correct, it is an Astra 400 and I knew that.

[Aragorn243]

I have a major mystery. My pistol is from everything I can find out about it an Astra 400. It has early grips which were stopped being made in 1926. The Date Code is 1929 and the acceptance date is 1931 into the Spanish military. Magazine release, markings, etc all indicate it is a 400. All serial numbers match, barrel matches receiver. Tried shooting it today with 9mm largo. Nothing happened. Waited for hang fire, chambered another round and nothing happened. Not even a click. Looked at the chamber and the case was sticking out of the barrel. Then I noticed the slide was not all the way forward. Knowing these can also fire 9mm, I tried one of those and everything worked perfectly. Just got done tearing it apart and measured the chamber. To the best of my limited gunsmithing abilities, this is chambered for 9mm, not 9mm largo. 9mm Largo sticks out about a quarter inch. I thought perhaps there was part of a case stuck in there but does not appear to be the case. I've done several searches and nothing I'm finding indicates these were ever made in 9mm luger. If the barrel didn't match I'd suspect a rebarrel but the proofs are even the same. Anyone with some information on this would be welcome.

I did just find mention of a 2.5mm ring which was inserted in these in the 1960's. I can't tell if there is one in there or not. Would make sense but I can't see a line. If that's the case, I'd like to get it out. I have accumulated quite a bit of Largo ammo.