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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. Juan Esperanza Salvador [es] (1860–1951) and Juan Pedro Unceta [es] (1854–1934), both from Eibar, founded the company in 1908 under the name P.Unceta y J.Esperanza for the purposes of the “sale of machinery and accessories of all types”. At this stage there was no mention of the sale or manufacture of arms, although both partners had previously been engaged in this field on their own account. In 1908 Juan Esperanza had six full-time staff, and in 1910, ten staff. In 1911 he formed a partnership with Isidro Gaztañaga - Gaztañaga y Esperanza. This new company had between 20 and 30 staff. From 1911 onward patents for firearms began to be issued to P.Unceta y J.Esperanza, concerning improvements to self-loading pistols. In 1913, manufacture of pistols began at their new factory. Early production In 1912 a new pistol was adopted by the Spanish military, designed by a retired military officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Don Venancio López de Ceballos y Aguirre, Count of Campo-Giro. The new gun was officially designated the Pistola Campo-Giro de 9mm Modelo 1912, but is generally referred to as the Campo-Giro after its inventor. After an unknown number of Modelo 1912 pistols had been manufactured, the army became aware that an improved version of the pistol that had been developed by Astra-Unceta, and in January 1914 this model was adopted as the Pistola Campo-Giro de 9mm Modelo 1913. The Model 1913 was manufactured by Esperanza Y Unceta and the increased volume of orders triggered their move to a new factory in Guernica. During 1914 1,300 pistols were made before production was halted to include new modifications. The Modelo 1913 was a delayed blowback design, unusual in a gun chambered for a powerful military cartridge. Campo-Giro patented new improvements in 1913, 1914, and 1915, resulting in a redesigned frame, redesigned mainspring and the magazine release being moved to the bottom of the grip. The improved model was adopted in September 1916 as the Pistola Campo-Giro de 9mm, Modelo 1913-16. The company manufactured 13,625 examples between 1916 and 1919. During the First World War the firm supplied the Allies with an estimated 150,000 Ruby-type self-loading pistols. The only real improvement from their first design (Victoria pistol) being to increase the magazine capacity to 9 shots and fit a military style lanyard ring. In May 1915, the French decided to accept the Ruby as the Pistolet Automatique, Type Ruby. Substantial contracts were awarded to Gabilondo and eight partner companies, and eventually desperation led to over 40 Spanish arms makers, including Esperanza y Unceta receiving contracts totaling at least 710,000 and perhaps as high as 950,000 pistols. Esperanza y Unceta marked their Ruby-types Model 1914, Model 1915, Model 1916, Astra, Brunswig, and Victoria. In 1926 Juan Esperanza left the consortium and created his own company. The company changed name and became Unceta y Compania. The following year, the Spanish Army launched a new program aiming at modernizing its armaments and Unceta, once again, won the contract. In 1927, began the series production of Mod.900 largely inspired by famous Mauser C96 and intended for the Nationalist Chinese. Some of these models (Mod.903) were found in the hands of German soldiers during the Second World War while the model F equipped the Guardia Civil. The Astra mod.400, or Model 1921, was a weapon of legend. The success of this weapon was such that it was produced until 1941. The weapon was exported to Chile, Germany, Colombia, Ecuador and France. 106,175 units were manufactured, the majority in 9mm Largo. ] During the Civil War, the employees of Astra aligned with the Republicans while the owner, Mr. Unceta, annoyed with some of the new authorities of the 1936 Basque government, left the company, and sided with the Nationalists. In April 1937, the town of Guernica was bombed by the aircraft of the Condor Legion. Nationalist troops seized the city a few days later and the company's production, redirected by Unceta, increased to supply the troops of Franco and the armies of the Third Reich. Whereas the government, resulting from the civil war, carried out the closing of many arms factories, Unceta y Compañia, in company of rare firms such Star Bonifacio Echeverria S.A. and Gabilondo y Compañia were authorized to continue their activities. During the Second World War, in spite of the official neutrality of Spain, the firm took part in the German war effort by the means of the Astra 600. According to the schedule of conditions of the German Army, it was to be chambered only for 9mm Parabellum, manufacture began in 1943, and 10,450 copies of the 600 were delivered in May and June 1944. The deliveries ceased because of the military situation in France. The contract would be honored well later in 1950 and 1951. The German Federal Republic, to equip its police officers, requested the Allies to allow delivery of the balance of the weapons purchased in 1944. In 1950, a first delivery of 3.500 units took place, followed, in 1951, of the balance of the contract initiated during the conflict and correspondent with 31,350 more 600s delivered. In 1946 the firm reorganized and diversified its activities, beginning its production of industrial equipment without giving up firearms manufacturing. New products consisted mainly in tires, hydraulic pumps and machine tools for the textile industry. For the weapons production, it obtained new machines and started research projects in order to renew its range. The Astra Model 3000 was the result of one of them and its production begins the following year. In 1947, the model Astra Model 3000 was put in production in order to replace them Astra Model 300. More than 44,000 Astra 3000 were manufactured until 1956, when the Astra Model 4000 Falcon replaced it. In 1953 the firm adopted its final name of “Astra y Unceta Cia, S.A.”. New models were released over the years: The firm also produced revolvers that were replicas of Colt, Ruger or Smith & Wesson. Astra continued the production and the development of many reliable and elegant models which made its reputation among the amateurs of weapons and the pride of Basque arms industry. We will look at the most popular of these Astra revolvers. Cadix Series. The Cadix revolver's production method was based (in general) on the Smith & Wesson practice and all examples are considered to be of good quality and workmanship. Original Models Beginning in 1958 the Cadix, with a lighter frame, was avaliable in three different calibers, each with a different cylinder: .22 - Featured a nine-shot cylinder .32 - Featured a six-shot cylinder .38 - Featured a five-shot cylinder There was also an option for different barrel lengths of 2 inches, 4 inches or 6 inches. All models were solid-frame revolvers with swing-out cylinder. Model 357 Similar to the original models The Model 357 was solid framed and used a swing-out cylinder. Being chambered to shoot the .357 Magnum cartridge, the Model 357 was of a heavy construction and used a six-shot cylinder. These revolvers were built on the same frame size as a Smith and Wesson N-Frame-such as the Model 28 .357 magnum revolver. These were known around the world to be reliable service revolvers Model 960 In essence the same gun as the Model 357, except being chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. This was for those who wanted a heavier revolver than the .38. Production stop As of May 1997 Astra-Unceta y Cia SA is defunct, having merged with STAR, whom became bankrupt in 1997. Hence the Cadix Revolver Series is no longer in production. Report from well known, gun writer Ian Hogg in Spec Ops Magazine: The Astra .357 revolver is manufactured in Spain by Astra Unceta. Astra Company has a long history of automatic-pistol manufacture, having made the Spanish Army’s service since World War One, but they did not enter the revolver field until the late 1950s, and then with a relatively cheap line under the name of ‘Cadix’. About ten years later, having gained some practical experience, they then produced this Astra .357 Magnum model, an excellent revolver that will stand comparison with anyone. Design Like most Spanish guns, it has a striking resemblance to the Smith & Wesson family. It is a conventional solid-frame weapon with a swing-out cylinder, floating firing pin, and with safety, bar included in the lockwork. An unusual point is that the shorter (3 and 4 inches) barreled models have smaller grips than the longer-barreled models; it seems that their theory is that those who buy the short guns want a handy defensive weapon, while those who buy the longer barrel are looking for target guns and deserve target-style grips. All have fully-adjustable Patridge-style rear sights and ramp foresight. Astra .357 Revolver with 4 inches barrel tested The fit and finish are first-class; all have fully recessed chambers which enclose the cartridge heads, the walnut grips are neatly checkered, and the metal is well blued and polished to a deep luster. Both hammer spur and trigger are deeply grooved to give them non-slip properties. The accuracy and reliability of these Astra revolvers are in keeping with their quality of finish. They can be expected to group as tightly as the shooter is capable of holding, and they show no signs of loosening after long wear. Though not inexpensive, they are good value and cost less than many comparable revolvers. Technical specifications Manufacturer: Astra, Unceta y Cia, Guernica, Spain Type: six-shot, solid frame, double-action Caliber: .357 Magnum Barrel: 3, 4, 6 and 8.5 in (76, 102, 152 and 216 mm) Weight: 40 oz (1134 g) (6 in barrel) Magazine capacity: 6 rounds Ref: ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Firearms’ - Ian V. Hogg, ‘Pistols of the world’ by Hogg and Weeks p249, Dictionary of guns and gunmakers p43 by John Walter https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astra-Unceta_y_Cia_SA https://guns.fandom.com/wiki/Astra_Cadix

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