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Star-Boni Facio Echeverria SA, Eibar, Spain Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. was a manufacturer of small arms (principally handguns and sub-machineguns) in the Basque region of Spain from about 1905 until 1997. Bonifacio Echeverria and the ancestry of Star. The Eibar region has been a center of weapons development and manufacture for centuries, with "Spanish Steel" historically being a selling point with its reputation for quality and durability. When firearms came into being, Eibar retained its edge as a weapons manufacturing center. The oldest known ancestor of the Star lineage is José Cruz Echeverria, who made muzzle-loading firearms in the 19th century. His two sons, Julián and Bonifacio, entered the firearms business about 1905. They produced the model 1908 pistol, substantially a Mannlicher Model 1900 in 6.35 mm (.25 ACP) caliber. Around 1910 Julián left the business and Bonifacio expanded and began improving their current offering. The model 1914 was released with much the same mechanism as the 1908, but with further improvements to the ergonomics, Gabilondo Ruby Pistol As is often the case with weapons makers, a government contract secured the success of the company. The firm was a sub-contractor to Gabilondo y Urresti in producing a version of the Gabilondo Ruby pistol for the French military during World War I. Additionally, Bonifacio Echeverria was directly contracted for a version of the 1914 Model pistol. The "Model 1 Militar" was a 7.65 mm (.32) caliber version of the Model 1914 designed for the French military, who referred to them as the Pistolet automatique, type Star. The beginnings of Star as a brand In 1919, Bonifacio formally registered the Star trade name, and all subsequent weapons were marked as such. Note that although some references say that the Basque and Spanish equivalents of Star are also registered (Izarra and Estrella), they seem to have never been marketed as such. The classic era Originally, Bonifaco had planned on producing a still more improved version of the model 1914, initially to meet a French follow-on contract for 50,000 pistols. However, the end of World War I led to the cancellation of the contract, and Echeverria decided that clones of the Colt M1911 were more commercially viable. Development moved rapidly from pistols that looked like Colts to ones that operated on the Browning tilting breech method. The line was rapidly expanded to cover a broad range of pistols in all popular western calibers, as well as the almost uniquely Spanish 9 mm Largo. Additionally, a line of .25 ACP caliber vest pocket pistols were developed, including a series of popular .22 Long Rifle target pistols. These are all straight blowback models. The modern era In 1983 production of the classic models was largely ceased in favor of a new series of pistols taking most of their features from the Charles Petter SACM style of pistols (also seen in the SIG P210 and CZ-75). Namely, these all had inverted slide rails and closed cam path locking. Many also had modular (removable) trigger assemblies. Most were double-action, though some retained the classic style single-action lockwork. The end The 1990s were bad for defense companies all over the world. For the most part, companies in smaller markets either found their niche and flourished, or slowly perished. In Spain alone Star, Astra and CETME met their end. The final years at Star saw a relative flurry of new models, and court challenges over restructuring plans and massive layoffs. Star filed for bankruptcy protection in late 1993 after taking out loans to invest in new CNC machinery. They were indirectly affected by the Asian economic crisis; Spanish banks tried to cover Asian investment losses by more aggressively collecting outstanding debt and renewing loans with less favorable terms for domestic companies. Star and Astra began cooperative investment and discussions of mergers in the mid 90s, but Astra was not in much better shape, so this eventually dragged both companies down. Although rumours abounded that a large foreign company, like Beretta, would snap them up (as they indeed did with Sako) this was not to be. Employees of both companies, through their unions, tried to set up a cooperative to take control of the companies. They planned to upgrade operations again, but also ran into trouble overextending themselves financially, and eventually these organizations also sought protection under bankruptcy laws. On May 27, 1997 both Star and Astra closed their doors, and were placed in the Spanish equivalent of Chapter Seven bankruptcy, under the control of a Basque regional judge. Eventually, an agreement was reached that settled sufficient outstanding debt, and allowed some of the machinery and the intellectual property to be resurrected in two new companies. Much machinery was also sold at auction to pay debtors. Apparently all unassembled or unsold barrels and frames were destroyed by government order when the company closed. Unregistered parts were retained and purchased by a custom smithing operation known as Ipar Guns. Star and Astra combined into one company under the ASTAR name, with a new factory, which manufactures a range of new firearms with distribution in Spain and some South American countries. The first Model B pistol is fundamentally the 9 mm Luger/Parabellum version of a similar 1922 and first and second Model A pistols. These are transitional guns, with broadly the control layout of the Colt/Browning guns (epitomized by the 1911), but based on the overall layout of the previous series of Star pistols. The Model B was developed and marketed synchronously with the Largo versions, with production commencing in 1924. The model ceased production in 1931, when it was replaced with the Second Model B, below. This steel framed Model B has a smaller safety lever than later guns and a T-shaped extractor. It has a large lanyard ring on the left side, a flat back-strap and numerous detail differences from the later, more refined guns. Only a few seem to have been made, apparently mostly or entirely for export sales. This gun has a simple rear sight, much like the model 1922. This example also bears no clear marks as to its model designation; while the serial number is in the subsequently conventional location on the butt, it is not accompanied by other marks. Identification must be based on features and calibre alone. In 1931 production shifted entirely to this updated version, the second Model B, which added several, mostly external features to make the pistol look and handle more like the Colt 1911A1. The frame was changed to provide an arched back-strap and a larger safety, as well as more rugged and higher-visibility sights were fitted. Numerous small changes were implemented across the design, from a shortening of the barrel bushing, to elimination of the separate safety guide bar. The major change from the Colt 1911 is the 9 mm calibre and the replacement of the swinging link with a FN Browning (or modern Star) style closed cam path integral to the barrel. Related to this, a full-length guide rod with captive spring, and a quick takedown lever were added as well. All of these models have a magazine safety, but one slightly different from the later S variants, and the extractor is modified to double as a loaded-chamber indicator. Additionally, the sights are improved in shape to make them easier to see, and minor changes were made to the trigger system. The design changes made to the Colt/FN Browning design are well thought out and practical. The manufacturing were very good and materials of good quality. The model BM was a compact version of the mod B, with a shorter barrel and slide. The BKM was identical to the BM but had an aluminium frame. The Star Model BKM pistol was a semi-automatic pistol produced from 1972 until 1997 when STAR entered administration. It utilised the 9mm Parabellum, with a single stack magazine, with capacity of 8 rounds. Design Development Diverting from STAR's previous 9mm automatic pistol line (produced for military purposes) the BKM responded to the growing demand in the US for smaller weapons, which could be concealed for personal defence and, specifically, utilise the 9mm parabellum cartridge. Using an aluminium alloy used in aircraft manufacture for the frame, combined with the overall length of 7 inches, the BKM only weighed less then 2lbs even when loaded. The breech locking utilises the Browning-Colt swinging link, the traditional method for pistols. However there is only one locking lug on top of the barrel to engage the slide. The Super models utilised a link-less locking scheme, similar to that used in Browning High Power pistols. Ammunition The increasing popularity of the 9mm Parabellum Cartridge meant that the BKM was designed to specifically use this round. Outside of the U.S. the BKM was commonly used with European military 9mm ammunition, hence, the combination of light weight frame and high power round, meant the BKM displayed recoil and muzzle blast that was higher than average. The Star pistols were well made and could in no way be associated with early Spanish suicide specials. Stars issued to WWII German troops do not carry Nazi proof marks, the only foreign arms exempted from this requirement. Renowned author Ian V. Hogg writes in Modern Small Arms: “In practical use the BKM delivers great accuracy, giving two to three inch groups at 25 yards quite regularly. Once recoil and noise are mastered, the BKM becomes an extension of the hand, and is well suited to the defensive role.” (Ref. ‘Pistols of World War I’ by Robert Adamek, http://star-firearms.com/firearms/guns/d/ , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Bonifacio_Echeverria, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Model_BM https://guns.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Model_BKM )

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