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Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  SPANISH PISTOL ASTRA MODEL 300 7.65MM SN# 600704
Maker/Manufacturer:	CAMPO GIRO
Date of Manufacture:	1937-1946
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1049
Measurements:	OL: 15.8CM 6 1/4" BL: 9.6CM 3 7/8"

Object Description:

SPANISH PISTOL ASTRA MODEL 300 7.65MM SN# 600704
Manufactured by Unceta y Cia, Guernica, Spain - Standard post-WWII production of Astra Model 300 semi-automatic pistol. Blued finish with two-piece checkered wood grips. Fixed sights. Smaller version of Astra Model 400. Finish worn otherwise complete with 7-round detachable box magazine and in good condition.

Markings:
Frame: 600704. Proofs.
Slide: UNCETA Y COMPANIA S.A./GUERNICA ESPANA. 600704. Spanish proof. Astra logo.
Barrel: 7.65MM/Spanish proof.

Notes: "Available in 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) or 9mm Short, this was essentially a smaller version of the Astra 400. Introduced in 1922 in 9mm Short and adopted by the Spanish prison service, it was then offered commercially in both calibres. The 9mm version was adopted by the Spanish navy in 1928.
The German authorities purchased 85,390 7.65mm and 9mm Astra 300 pistols for the army and Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Production ceased in 1947 after 171,300 had been made." - Hogg & Weeks.

"MODEL 300 - A smaller version of the Model 400, this pistol was chambered for either 7.65mm or 9mm Browning. Between 1923 and 1947, 171,300 of this type were made, with 85,390 (63,000 in 9mm Kurz and 22,390 in 7.65mm) being sold to the German Luftwaffe from 1941 to 1944. During the war, this model was called the Pistole Astra 300 by the Germans." - Ezell

References:
Ezell, Edward C. HANDGUNS OF THE WORLD. Stackpole Books. Harrisburg, Pa. 1981.
Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. PISTOLS OF THE WORLD. 3rd Ed. DBI Books, Inc. Northbrook, Il. 1992.
Schwing, Ned. 1998 STANDARD CATALOG OF FIREARMS. 8th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 1998.