Just uncovered this gem my Mom gave to me. It was my grandfather's gun, and he picked it up during WWII. My Dad cleaned up it years ago, but it has basically been sitting inside its leather holster, inside their cedar chest for probably 40+ years. By my untrained eyes, it looks to be in very good/excellent shape.
The world wide interwebs tell me it was an Astra 300, and the serial number places it in the first batch (5,000) of guns sent from Spain to the German Army in 1941. Most of the guns had a German Army (not Nazi) symbol on the gun, but this one does not. I assumed my grandfather (who was killed before I was born) pulled it of a dead German soldier, but he was stationed in Japan. So not 100% certain how he came about this weapon.
A few questions:
1. Anyone familiar with this gun and its potential origin? I haven't quite figured out if the Germans still used this gun if it didn't have the symbol on it.
2. Anyone know of a good gunsmith in or around Indy that might have experience with this type of gun? I would like to get it cleaned up and have an expert look at it.
3. It is chambered for 9mm/.380. I assume my best bet would be to use the .380? I think the 9mm part was 9mm Kurtz???
4. Assuming all is fine with the gun, it would still be ok to use, correct?
Enjoy the pics.
The world wide interwebs tell me it was an Astra 300, and the serial number places it in the first batch (5,000) of guns sent from Spain to the German Army in 1941. Most of the guns had a German Army (not Nazi) symbol on the gun, but this one does not. I assumed my grandfather (who was killed before I was born) pulled it of a dead German soldier, but he was stationed in Japan. So not 100% certain how he came about this weapon.
A few questions:
1. Anyone familiar with this gun and its potential origin? I haven't quite figured out if the Germans still used this gun if it didn't have the symbol on it.
2. Anyone know of a good gunsmith in or around Indy that might have experience with this type of gun? I would like to get it cleaned up and have an expert look at it.
3. It is chambered for 9mm/.380. I assume my best bet would be to use the .380? I think the 9mm part was 9mm Kurtz???
4. Assuming all is fine with the gun, it would still be ok to use, correct?
Enjoy the pics.