In 1943 Germany ordered 60,000 Astra Model 600 pistols chambered in 9mm for the German Military. Designated by the Germans as the model 600/43, shipments began in May 1944 with a total of 10,450 guns delivered in three shipments by July before the allied invasion of Southern France cut off supply lines from Spain.
A total of 59,400 pistols were manufactured to fulfill the German contract between 1943 and 1945. In addition to the 10,450 already delivered to the German Military in France, an additional 31,350 had been completed and paid for and were sent to the Spanish Government Armory in Burgos for storage along with the remaining balance of the production.
Post war reconstruction of West Germany saw a need for guns to rearm the new West German Police and a request was made by the new West German Government for the delivery of the remaining pistols which had previously been paid for.
Spain's position was these guns had been ordered and paid for by a Government no longer in existence, but they were available for sale... for a price.
West Germany purchased 31,350 of the guns, followed later by an additional purchase of the remaining 14,000 (3,550 had been sold to other buyers).
This pistol is one of the 41,800 that were paid for by Germany in 1944 and subsequently purchased by West Germany in the 1950's.
Surplussed in the 1960's, this gun was part of a large number that found their way to the U.S. before the 1968 FAA required importation stamps, complete with one matching magazine and the original matching # Spanish made contract holster.
The Model 600/43 is considered to be extremely well made and very accurate. Arguably, the design was vastly superior in many respects to the P.38 and P.08 then in service with the German Military.
A total of 59,400 pistols were manufactured to fulfill the German contract between 1943 and 1945. In addition to the 10,450 already delivered to the German Military in France, an additional 31,350 had been completed and paid for and were sent to the Spanish Government Armory in Burgos for storage along with the remaining balance of the production.
Post war reconstruction of West Germany saw a need for guns to rearm the new West German Police and a request was made by the new West German Government for the delivery of the remaining pistols which had previously been paid for.
Spain's position was these guns had been ordered and paid for by a Government no longer in existence, but they were available for sale... for a price.
West Germany purchased 31,350 of the guns, followed later by an additional purchase of the remaining 14,000 (3,550 had been sold to other buyers).
This pistol is one of the 41,800 that were paid for by Germany in 1944 and subsequently purchased by West Germany in the 1950's.
Surplussed in the 1960's, this gun was part of a large number that found their way to the U.S. before the 1968 FAA required importation stamps, complete with one matching magazine and the original matching # Spanish made contract holster.
The Model 600/43 is considered to be extremely well made and very accurate. Arguably, the design was vastly superior in many respects to the P.38 and P.08 then in service with the German Military.
