De Wilde Firearms

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Unceta y Cia, Eibar and Guernica, Spain. (formerly Esperanza y Unceta)

Astra Unceta y Compania SA of Guernica in Spain began in 1907 as Pedro Unceta y Juan Esperanza, Eiba. They moved to Guernica in 1913 and become Esperanza y Unceta. They adopted Astra as their principal trade name in 1914 and they became Unceta y Cia in 1926, Astra-Unceta in 1955 and Astra Gernika in 1994. Astra with Star and Llama made quality firearms in Spain during and after World war I. 

1928 M901 is a Spanish copy of the Broom-handle Mauser. Mauser enjoyed an excellent export market for their C-96 “Broomhandle” and Bolo” pistols, and aware of the potential  sales, Astra developed the 900 series pistols to compete with Mauser. Although similar in external exterior appearance to the C-96 internally the Astra designers opted for simplicity. 

The Spanish gun-making firm of Astra-Unceta y Cia began producing a copy of the Mauser C.96 in 1927. This well-made and finely designed short recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol differed internally from the Mauser in many aspects. The barrel was inserted into the barrel extension rather than formed with it. Instead of removable lock-work, the Astra has a sliding side-plate to expose the action. The operation is also different in that the barrel and bolt recoil back on firing, they are locked together until the bolt strikes a wedge in the frame, pushing it down to disconnect the trigger bar and unlock the bolt. 

 Externally similar (including the presence of a detachable shoulder stock/holster) to the C96 but with non-interlocking internal parts it was produced until 1941, with a production hiatus in 1937 and 1938 and a final batch being assembled from spare parts in 1951. 

The Spanish copies of the C96 were generally intended for export to China, but after the commencement of the Sino-Japanese war (which blocked supply of guns to Chinese forces) the remaining Astra 900s were used in the Spanish Civil War, and numbers were also sold to Germany in the period 1940–1943. A rare copy of the Astra Model 900 was also manufactured in Spain as the Royal MM34, these are recognized by its finned 'Thompson gun' type barrel and muzzle. Very few examples of the Royal MM34 are in existence today

34325 Model 900 were said to have been produced, with 30000 sold in China. This model was also produced in selective fire versions in both 7.63 Mauser and 9mm Largo. Like the Mauser the loading on the 900 and 902 was accomplished with a stripper clip, loading from the top with the bolt locked in the rearward position. Astras will also be found with detachable magazines, but these invariably, are of the select fire type. 

The takedown of the Astra 900 series is accomplished by first making sure that the arm is unloaded. Then after cocking the hammer and lining the safety up with the groove in the side-plate, pushing rearward on the barrel back slightly to to relieve spring tension and push the rearmost square cross-pin through from right to left. The side-plate may now be removed by sliding it rearward. By placing the safety in the “fire” position and pushing rearward on the barrel again, the round head of the bolt in the centre of the frame can be withdrawn, allowing the barrel extension to be lifted out of the frame. During this last operation be careful of the stop spring, which holds the whole unit under tension. To remove the bolt use a screwdriver to press in the firing pin and turn it 90 degrees clockwise and remove it from the bolt. Now the bolt-retaining cross-pin may be removed from the side of the barrel extension, allowing the bolt assembly to be withdrawn to the rear and out. Assembly is in the reverse order. This weapon has Chinese markings.

It is classified as a relic in the USA. 

(Ref. ‘Famous pistols and handguns’ by A J R Cormack, ‘Price guide for collector handguns’ by R H Balderson, ‘Pistols of the world’ by Hogg and Weeks p245, Dictionary of guns and gunmakers by John Walter p42)
De Wilde Firearms
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