trying to get info on gun - astra

[bigwheeler357]

A NYC cop gave my wife's grandfather an Esperanza y Unceta Guernica (Spain)
Astra- Cal 6.35 a 25
anywhere between 1940 and 1955. My father-in-law just gave it to me as a gift and I'd like to find out how I can get the exact age of it. Any ideas?

 

[SDC]

Astra made several 25 autos that this might be; have you got any pictures, or more information on it?

 

[bigwheeler357]

trying to find info on astra 25 cal

I can get a picture. I have the serial number. I'll ask my father-in-law if her remembers about what year his father got it. It has "hope" etched above the grip in a circle with E above (worn away) and U below. I don't know if that means anything.

 

[SDC]

It sounds like it's an Astra model of 1911 (you can see these marked with both "Hope" and "Victoria" above the grip panel), so it would have floated around for a LONG time before it got back to New York. They could've been made anytime between 1911 and the mid 1930's. Hope this helps.

 

[Ron James]

It has to be the Model 1911. Hope is english for Esperanza and he left the firm in 1922. It wouldn't be the Model 1924, hence the Model 1911. If it was the Victoria it would be so marked. Astra moved to Guernica in 1913 , so your firearm was made between 1913 and 1922. Value is listed at 350 in exc (like new),250 in very good, 175 in good, 100 in fair, 75 in poor as in boat anchor.

 

[bigwheeler357]

question about astra

Is there any way to trace this gun by serial number? Does the company still have those records, do you know? I'd like to pinpoint it some way so I can tell my 82 year old father-in-law.

 

[Ron James]

There is no available list of serial numbers and Astra is out of business. However Look on the left side of the frame just above the trigger or under the frame. You are looking for a *over a letter or a * over a letter and number year code , then go to http://9mmlargo.com/year_codes.htm