USMA-82
NES Member
Here's one I didn't expect to find when I walked into the Marlborough Gun Show this weekend:
It's a Model 1914 manufactured by Star (Bonifacio Escheverria) in 7.65mm (.32ACP). Approximately 21,000 of these were built by contract and sold to the French between 1915 and 1918 to use during the 1st World War.
The pistol came in two versions, a "trooper" style with a slightly longer barrel, and an "officer's" style, with a 7-round capacity rather than 9-round. Both were nicely blued and included a nickle plated magazine. It is a blowback pistol with the barrel fixed to the frame.
Disassembly is very simple. The small lever under the barrel, in front of the trigger guard, releases the cover plate when pushed up. The cover plate and recoil spring and guide can then be removed. Then the slide can be lifted at the rear and moved forward off the front of the barrel.
This Officer's style is in decent shape, with perhaps 30-40% bluing remaining, and a very good bore. The serial number (stamped on the backstrap) is within the range known to be sold to the French. The grips are the original checkered walnut and also in nice shape.
I've seen these maybe 2 or 3 times on GB over the past few years, but was never able to snag one - and they certainly were never sold for a little over $200 like this one.
Sometimes guns shows are worth the price of admission...
*
It's a Model 1914 manufactured by Star (Bonifacio Escheverria) in 7.65mm (.32ACP). Approximately 21,000 of these were built by contract and sold to the French between 1915 and 1918 to use during the 1st World War.
The pistol came in two versions, a "trooper" style with a slightly longer barrel, and an "officer's" style, with a 7-round capacity rather than 9-round. Both were nicely blued and included a nickle plated magazine. It is a blowback pistol with the barrel fixed to the frame.
Disassembly is very simple. The small lever under the barrel, in front of the trigger guard, releases the cover plate when pushed up. The cover plate and recoil spring and guide can then be removed. Then the slide can be lifted at the rear and moved forward off the front of the barrel.
This Officer's style is in decent shape, with perhaps 30-40% bluing remaining, and a very good bore. The serial number (stamped on the backstrap) is within the range known to be sold to the French. The grips are the original checkered walnut and also in nice shape.
I've seen these maybe 2 or 3 times on GB over the past few years, but was never able to snag one - and they certainly were never sold for a little over $200 like this one.
Sometimes guns shows are worth the price of admission...
*
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