Astra Contract pistol model 600

Steve Richards · 12-17-2004, 01:26 AM

On the left rear of the frame should be a year code. It will be a letter with an * over it. 1943 is the letter "N" under the astrix. 1944 is an "O". Go up or down the alphabet from there and you will have the year of manufacture (or at least when it was numbered for sale). This follows for all Astra pistols starting with 'A" on 1927 (with "CH" in 1930 and "LL" in 1940) and staring with "A1" in 1955 (with no "CH1" or "LL1" used). It then started with "A2" in 1981.

What is the serial number? Dr. Antaris' book gives the following ranges:
51-10,500 WWII German Army in Irun, France. 10,501-41,850 to the armory in Burgos, Spain (later sold to W. German police). 41,851-45,400 exported both commercial and military and 45,401-59,400 Final shipment to W. German police.

I hope that this helps.

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12-17-2004, 01:26 AM	#5
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	On the left rear of the frame should be a year code. It will be a letter with an * over it. 1943 is the letter "N" under the astrix. 1944 is an "O". Go up or down the alphabet from there and you will have the year of manufacture (or at least when it was numbered for sale). This follows for all Astra pistols starting with 'A" on 1927 (with "CH" in 1930 and "LL" in 1940) and staring with "A1" in 1955 (with no "CH1" or "LL1" used). It then started with "A2" in 1981. What is the serial number? Dr. Antaris' book gives the following ranges: 51-10,500 WWII German Army in Irun, France. 10,501-41,850 to the armory in Burgos, Spain (later sold to W. German police). 41,851-45,400 exported both commercial and military and 45,401-59,400 Final shipment to W. German police. I hope that this helps.