Astra Model 900

The Astra Model 900 is one of many Spanish copies of the German Mauser C96 semi-automatic pistol. It shares the same caliber, magazine capacity, and holster type and is generally very similar to the German handgun.

Astra Model 900
TypeSemi-automatic pistol, machine pistol (Astra Model 904)
Place of originKingdom of Spain
Service history
In service1927–1945
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
ManufacturerAstra-Unceta y Cia SA
No. built35,076 (all versions)
Variants900, 901, 902, 903, 904
Specifications
Mass1.275 kg (Astra 903)
Length308 mm (Astra 903)
Barrel length160 mm (Astra 903)
Height150 mm (Astra 903)
Cartridge7.63×25mm Mauser, 9mm Largo
Caliber7.63mm, 9mm
Muzzle velocity461.28 m/s (1,513.4 ft/s)
Maximum firing range1,000 m (1,100 yd)
Feed system10, 20 round box magazine
SightsIron

Machine-pistol variants

The Basque-manufactured Astra-Unceta y Cia SA Astra 901 is a compact machine pistol, with a magazine capacity of 10 7.63×25mm Mauser cartridges, which is a considerably smaller capacity than is standard for a machine pistol. The next model, the Astra 902, was provided with a fixed magazine of 20 cartridges and a lengthened barrel, and Astra 903 had a removable magazine instead of the usual fixed one. Astra later added a mechanism to slow the rate of fire and make the gun more manageable (to an extent) when being fired on full-auto or burst modes, calling this the Model 904. The Model 904 is comparable to the German Mauser M712 'Schnellfeuer' Broomhandle pistols, having a detachable magazine, automatic fire capabilities, and general appearance.

The Astra Model 904 was produced in a 9 mm Largo variant, the Astra Model 904E, which was identical to the Model 904 in all other respects.

Production and distribution
An Astra 903 machine-pistol.
  • Astra 900: 21,000 weapons from 1927 to 1941 for China, Latin America, Spanish Republicans, and the Wehrmacht (1,050 delivered in 1943).
  • Astra 901: 1,655 weapons in 1928, destined mainly for China.
  • Astra 902: 7,075 weapons in 1928 to 1933. Some delivered to China, others delivered to the Wehrmacht in 1943.
  • Astra 903: 3,082 weapons in 1932 to 1934. Same users as the 902.
  • Astra 904: 90+ weapons in 1934.
  • Astra F: 1,126 weapons in 1936. Issued to the Guardia Civil during Spanish Civil War.
  • Astra E: 548 weapons assembled between 1949, 1951 and 1961 from stored parts. Reserved for export to Egypt, India, Iraq and Pakistan.
  • 8 × Astra 900, 12 × Astra 902, and 9 × Astra 400, all richly engraved, were presented to Joseph Stalin during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.
Model data
Model Astra 900 Astra 901 Astra 902 Astra 903 Astra 904 Astra F Astra E
Length 29 cm 29 cm 33 cm 31 cm 31 cm 31 cm 31 cm
Length (Stock attached) 64 cm 64 cm 72 cm 68 cm 68 cm 68 cm 68 cm
Barrel 14 cm 14 cm 18 cm 16 cm 16 cm 16 cm 16 cm
Weight (loaded) 1.26 kg 1.26 kg 1.53 kg 1.45 kg 1.45 kg 1.45 kg 1.45 kg
Caliber 7.63 Mauser 7.63 Mauser 7.63 Mauser 7.63 Mauser 7.63 Mauser 9 mm Largo 7.63 Mauser
Magazine (Mag)
or Charger (Clip)		 10 rounds (Clip) 10 rounds (Clip) 20 rounds (Clip) 10-20 rounds (Mag) 10-20 rounds (Mag) 10-20 rounds (Mag) 10-20 rounds (Mag)

Users

See also

References
  1. Antaris, Leonardo. Astra Automatic Pistols (1st ed.). FIRAC Pub. Co. p. 150. ISBN 0962076708.
  2. Philip Jowett (2005). The Chinese Army 1937–49: World War II and Civil War. Osprey Publishing. pp. 22, 43. ISBN 978-1841769042.
  • Luc GUILLOU & PHILIPPE GOURIO, The Astra Guns, Pardès Editions, 1991
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