Astra Modelo 1921 (400) 9x23mm Largo, 6 in Fixed Barrel, Spanish Civil War Era, Matching Slide/Frame, Blued Steel, Made in Spain
This Astra Modelo 1921 (400) is a Spanish government contract pistol from the Spanish Civil War period (1937–1938), chambered in 9x23mm Largo and made in Spain. It features matching serial numbers on the slide and frame, a 6-inch fixed barrel, and original Guernica factory markings. The pistol retains its blued steel finish, checkered wood grips, and period-correct features that define this full-size service sidearm.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The metal surfaces show noticeable finish wear consistent with age and service use, with thinning along high-contact areas, scattered handling marks, and light surface oxidation. Markings remain present and generally legible. The grips display handling wear consistent with age but remain intact with no major cracks noted.
What's Included
- 1x 8-round steel single-stack magazine with witness holes
Built as a full-size service pistol, this Modelo 1921 (400) is chambered for 9x23mm Largo with an 8+1 capacity and a 6-inch fixed barrel. It was produced during the Spanish Civil War timeframe and aligns with Spanish government contract pistols from 1937–1938. Made in Spain, it carries the correct period attributes and configuration for the model.
The slide is marked "UNCETA Y COMPAÑIA – GUERNICA ESPAÑA" and "PISTOLA DE 9 m/m 38/9 – MODELO 1921 (400)," with the Astra circular logo on the forward muzzle section. The slide also shows rear vertical serrations, a tubular muzzle section, and a knurled front cap distinctive to this design.
Mechanically, the Astra 400 uses a simple blowback, single-action system with a fixed barrel. It has a manual safety and an external hammer with a serrated spur. The sights are fixed open type with a fixed rear U-notch for a straightforward, service-style sight picture.
Construction is all steel with a blued finish and checkered wood grips, complemented by a lanyard ring at the heel. The slide and frame carry matching serial numbers, supporting consistency of major components for this example from the Civil War era.