Astra Contract pistol model 600

MG · 12-14-2004, 11:33 AM

Hello,
I have seen a Astra Contract pistol model 600? that I was told was made in 1943 that has a very good finish 90+ all matching 9mm, great orginal grips. Was told gun was not sent to the front as the area the gun was to be shipped to was captured by US troops in WWII so some proofs not on gun. The store here broke it down for me and it looks new/unused inside.(I have bought ALOT from this store last year,so I get frist picks when new guns come in). Anyone know what I should pay? There asking is less than $300.00

Thank You
Michael

Frank · 12-14-2004, 12:16 PM

Mike, the Astra 600/43 is a nice pistol. In that condition, less than $300 would be worth considering.

If I have my story straight, these pistols were ordered by the Germans, but never delivered. They may have been used by border guards or after the end of WWII by the Allies.

None of these contain WaA Marks and can be found in the serial number range 10501-38500.

Good Luck

Steve Richards · 12-14-2004, 07:36 PM

Most of these were made for Germany but never delivered. After the war, most were delivered to and used by the West German Police.

If you are interested in Astra pistols, I recomend "Astra Automatic Pistols" by Leonardo Antaris. It is listed on Amazon.com with used starting at $29.95 and going up to over &80.00 depending on condition.

Steve

MarkC · 12-15-2004, 02:18 PM

Frank is correct about the second contract serial number range but there were many more thousands made after the war and will typically not have the Astra logo on the slide but marked 600/43.

These guns are worth less than the German contract and can be had with a holster and spare mag for about $250.00. So if the serial number is above 38,500 it is worth less, in my opinion.

You can also find some of the German contract guns with a matched mag or two. In my opinion this will increase the value by 20%.

Many of these guns have been refinished. The trigger and safety lever should be in-the-white as in this contract pistol.

http://www.p38guns.com/Astra600.htm

Mark

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.

MG · 12-17-2004, 01:43 AM

Hello,
The serial is 20324 but the trigger and safety have some bluing left on them, saftey more so. Looks like a N with * over it on frame. Gun has some to little hoster wear so maybe 88-90% finish over all. they are asking $260.00, to much?

Thank you all
Michael

MarkC · 12-17-2004, 06:15 PM

I recently paid $399.00 for my 2nd German contract gun, it has a matched mag and came with a post war holster with spare mag. Don't think the dealer actually knew it was a 2nd contract gun.

Here is a picture, notice the safety lever and hold open have been blued. Also, the hold open has the last few digits of the serial number on it.

Steve Richards · 12-19-2004, 03:24 AM

MarkC,

It looks like a very nice gun. Congradulations on finding it. I have a fondness for the Astra pistols. They are an interesting design and are very dependable as well as affordable.

To me they are as habit forming as Lugers.

Steve

MarkC · 12-19-2004, 11:02 AM

Steve,

I know what you mean! I have a post war 600 that I use as a shooter, I always get a queston about it down the range because of its unique look.

Mark

Steve Richards · 12-20-2004, 11:39 PM

Mark,

When I take my 600 to the range. the empties bounce off the wall to my right and land in front of the lane to my left. Do you get this also?
If somebody has not seen how far these pistols eject empties, they have not seen the phrase "possitive ejection" in action.

Steve

12-14-2004, 11:33 AM	#1
MG User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 93 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Astra Contract pistol model 600 Hello, I have seen a Astra Contract pistol model 600? that I was told was made in 1943 that has a very good finish 90+ all matching 9mm, great orginal grips. Was told gun was not sent to the front as the area the gun was to be shipped to was captured by US troops in WWII so some proofs not on gun. The store here broke it down for me and it looks new/unused inside.(I have bought ALOT from this store last year,so I get frist picks when new guns come in). Anyone know what I should pay? There asking is less than $300.00 Thank You Michael __________________ MG "Si vis pacem, para bellum" 'If you want peace,prepare for war'

12-17-2004, 01:43 AM	#6
MG User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 93 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello, The serial is 20324 but the trigger and safety have some bluing left on them, saftey more so. Looks like a N with * over it on frame. Gun has some to little hoster wear so maybe 88-90% finish over all. they are asking $260.00, to much? Thank you all Michael __________________ MG "Si vis pacem, para bellum" 'If you want peace,prepare for war'

12-14-2004, 12:16 PM	#2
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Mike, the Astra 600/43 is a nice pistol. In that condition, less than $300 would be worth considering. If I have my story straight, these pistols were ordered by the Germans, but never delivered. They may have been used by border guards or after the end of WWII by the Allies. None of these contain WaA Marks and can be found in the serial number range 10501-38500. Good Luck

12-14-2004, 07:36 PM	#3
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Most of these were made for Germany but never delivered. After the war, most were delivered to and used by the West German Police. If you are interested in Astra pistols, I recomend "Astra Automatic Pistols" by Leonardo Antaris. It is listed on Amazon.com with used starting at $29.95 and going up to over &80.00 depending on condition. Steve

12-15-2004, 02:18 PM	#4
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Frank is correct about the second contract serial number range but there were many more thousands made after the war and will typically not have the Astra logo on the slide but marked 600/43. These guns are worth less than the German contract and can be had with a holster and spare mag for about $250.00. So if the serial number is above 38,500 it is worth less, in my opinion. You can also find some of the German contract guns with a matched mag or two. In my opinion this will increase the value by 20%. Many of these guns have been refinished. The trigger and safety lever should be in-the-white as in this contract pistol. http://www.p38guns.com/Astra600.htm Mark

12-17-2004, 01:26 AM	#5
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	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.

12-17-2004, 06:15 PM	#7
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	I recently paid $399.00 for my 2nd German contract gun, it has a matched mag and came with a post war holster with spare mag. Don't think the dealer actually knew it was a 2nd contract gun. Here is a picture, notice the safety lever and hold open have been blued. Also, the hold open has the last few digits of the serial number on it.

12-19-2004, 03:24 AM	#8
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	MarkC, It looks like a very nice gun. Congradulations on finding it. I have a fondness for the Astra pistols. They are an interesting design and are very dependable as well as affordable. To me they are as habit forming as Lugers. Steve

12-19-2004, 11:02 AM	#9
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Steve, I know what you mean! I have a post war 600 that I use as a shooter, I always get a queston about it down the range because of its unique look. Mark

12-20-2004, 11:39 PM	#10
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mark, When I take my 600 to the range. the empties bounce off the wall to my right and land in front of the lane to my left. Do you get this also? If somebody has not seen how far these pistols eject empties, they have not seen the phrase "possitive ejection" in action. Steve