Star Nazi German Modelo B Model B 9mm Largo Blued Semi-Auto Pistol 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1125
LSB#: 210612TP52
Make: Star Bonifacio Echeverria, Spain
Model: B, Bulgarian Contract with Fake Nazi stamp
Serial Number: 231503
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (“Ñ” Spanish Date Code. Specifically, this pistol was among 5,000 delivered on February 12th, 1943)
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right side of the frame to the rear of the grip panel is marked with a counterfeit “WSA 251” Nazi Waffenampt. The left side of the slide is marked “STAR-SA”, “CONTINJADORA DE / B. ECHEVERRIA”, the Star sunburst logo, “EIBAR / ESPANA”, “9 m/m”, and a Spanish proof mark. The left side of the slide and the right side of the barrel visible through the barrel are marked with the last three digits of the serial number, “503”. The left side of the frame is marked with a Spanish “Ñ” date code, indicating the year of manufacture as 1943, and a Spanish proof mark. The left side trigger guard bow is marked with a Spanish proof mark. The heel of the grip frame is marked with the model designation, “B”, and the factory serial number, “231503”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat-topped square notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels with smooth diamonds. The smooth areas of both panels have consistent light nicks and compressions. The lower areas of both panels have a lightly weathered appearance. The checkering is well-defined, and there are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is still quite bright with well-defined rifling. There is no erosion, but light stubborn fouling persists throughout, especially in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The right side of the frame has a few moderate nicks/scrapes with two more notable scuffs. The slide has scattered light nicks and scuffs most notable at the front which also has light thinning on some edges. There is light surface oxidation round the front sight. The grip screws show light tool marks with usable slots. The markings are generally clear, although a few are worn away on the left side of the slide. Overall, this pistol rates in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This model has a manual safety and a quarter-cock hammer notch, both of which function correctly. The slide has minor play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol includes one (1) 8-round magazine.
Our Assessment: From star-firearms.com: “Information on Star as a company has traditionally been hard to get because they were an old-school European company. They tend to only want to communicate through the distributor network, and because in many countries their distributors consider them a second-tier brand, so did nothing to promote their story. But the biggest problem… now is that they no longer exist.” Too bad. Pistols made in Spain were attractive to buyers for the reputation of Spanish steel, which was known to “hold an edge” so to speak, and Star made firearms for three quarters of a century, but ultimately shuttered in 1997 in a quagmire of financial problems, being outpaced by the market, and workforce attrition. The Modelo “B” on offer here is a cousin to the M1911A1, and is notable for being a Bulgarian contract version with a counterfeit Nazi waffenampt on the right side of the grip frame—there were far more of the these fakes. It is also likely this pistol was imported prior to 1968 as there is no import marking and it is not refinished. Regardless, the bore is in good shape with well-defined rifling and the mechanics are sound. Good luck and happy bidding!