FN 1922, Astra 300 both .32

[philhill4]

Hello, I am new to the forum and have only recently begun to appreciate older firearms, I am amazed at the quality of some of these fine pieces of history. I have just acquired what I think are 2 nice but unusual pistols. The first is a FN 1922 in 7.65, it has the serial # in only one place and it is 16450 and is on the ejection side below the ejection port; at the front of the trigger guard is an s inside of a circle and in front of that there is the number 8.
On the opposite side of the pistol is a squiggly kind of man over a line with pv below the line, and then a star over n, this is repeated directly below on the frame; these marks are on the opposite of the eject port, and on this side of the pistol a FN in a circle at the front of the trigger guard. Above the funny proofs are the only other markings, FABRIQUE NATIONALE DARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE
BROWNINGS PATENT DEPOSE. Would you happen to know if it is commercial or military and can you tell what the year of manufacture is?
The second piece is an Astra 300 I think, It is also 7.65 marked on the barrel hood just like the FN. It has a beautiful rolled astra crest on the front of the slide; Its serial number is 531978 marked on the rear ejection side of frame and a matching number above it on the slide;
Unceta Compania and GUERNICA (Espana)
are the only other markings on the gun anywhere except for an astra crest on the very unusual magazine, the gun is very small, smaller than the 1922.
Could you tell the year of manufacture and whether it is commercial or not
Thanks to everyone and I would appreciate any history input from anyone on these 2 nice pieces
Phil, Dayton, Ohio
[email protected]

 

[SDC]

The FN should have the same serial number repeated on the slide and barrel (may only be visible after you field-strip the pistol), but it certainly sounds like a commercial model, as the versions produced during the occupation dispensed with the "Fabrique National" and "Browning Patent" markings. There IS a date code used by the Belgians showing which inspector approved the pistol when it left the factory (which takes the form of a letter with an asterisk over it), but I unfortunately don't have a copy of the table with me.
For the Astra, there should be either a letter or a letter/number stamp next to the main proof (which looks like a small shield with crossed rifles in it), and that letter or letter/number will correspond to the following dates; (eg. "J1" means the pistol left the factory in 1964).

 

[philhill4]

Thanks, I can't find any proofs at all except on the barrel hood and I do'nt think it's been refinished, either of them because everything is so very clear and sharp especially for the age, I'll keep looking.
Thanks, Phil

 

[SDC]

Have you had the 1922 apart? Starting with a completely empty pistol (empty chamber and magazine out), cycle th slide to cock the hammer, then push the serrated catch on the muzzle cap so you can twist it counter-clockwise; this piece is under spring tension, so control it. It'll turn maybe 1/4 of the way around, then come off the front of the slide. Pull the slide back, and lock the safety into the forward notch. This will leave the barrel and recoil spring loose inside the slide, which you can twist clockwise and pull out the front of the slide, and then the slide will run off the rails at the front. The barrel is likely stamped forward of the chamber (normally hidden by the slide), and the slide is probably stamped on the bottom (normally hidden by the frame).
The Astra was made by both Esperenza y Unceta before 1926, and by Unceta y Cia after 1926, so if there's no date code (which began in 1927), I'd believe you've got the earlier version.

 

[philhill4]

I just got done cleaning up both pistols, thanks for the field strip help. The FN does have a 6 digit number on the slide stamped underneath, I believe it may be a mismatched gun. It also has the part of the slide extension catch that you release, broken off,I am going to try to get a new catch from numrich arms. Otherwise it is pretty nice although I believe that a moron tried to get it apart, broke the release and then put something on the slide extension like pliers because there is no number on it either like most pics show I think someone ground off the tool marks along with the number, I think they probably had to.
Thanks for the info on the Astra, It is looking even nicer than the FN but has almost NO markings whatsoever, the only numbers hidden were a matching 978 on the under side of slide and frame where they meet, I thought this was a striker gun but was surprised to see how well made it is and to find its a HAMMER gun, It cleaned up nicely, the only thing that would make it nicer would be nicer grips they are kind of beat up black plastic, where would I look for newer plastic or nice wood grips.
Thanks, Phil

 

[Jim K]

That "squiggly man" is a lion and that is the Belgian proof mark.

Field stripping the M1922 involves pushing the bayonet lock (the part that is broken on yours) on the barrel bushing toward the muzzle, then turning the bushing 90 degrees to unlock it. It will come off, pushed by the spring.

The Astra is tricky. Look at the bushing and you will see a sleeve around the barrel between the barrel and the bushing. Push that in (use wood or plastic) and at the same time turn the bushing 90 degrees. Watch out, as the spring is heavy and the bushing and sleeve can take off!

Both barrels come out the same way, by turning to unlock the lugs from the frame.

Jim

 

[philhill4]

Hi Jim, I couldn't describe that thing too well, yep it looks like a lion now under a magnifying glass. Thanks for the field strip help the Astra is tricky I used a .50ae case to push the sleeve, had a lot of trouble reassembling that darn cap on the Astra. I'll have to practice, that thing is beautiful inside seems like a real high quality piece no tool marks evreything is so sharp and fits so well the machining seems perfect. I am baffled by the lack of any other marks on it, only the serial number on the frame and just above on the slide, The sharp rolled crest on the slide and on the tang of the mag. No proofs or inspectors or anything?!?
Thanks Phil

 

[SDC]

Just a note on that Astra; Gene Gangarosa's "Spanish Handguns" has got two pages full of serial number blocks and other info on the Astra 300, showing those that went to specific military, police and prison units, if you'd like to PM me with the s/n. He also says that those built after 1926 were marked on top of the slide "Unceta y Compania S.A Guernica Espana", but that they were using earlier parts from Esperanza y Unceta up to 1929 or so.