One year later they produced the
Astra 1916. Production is estimated at approximately 150,000
total guns for the French war effort and some for the Italians as well.
The Astra pistols have many variations as to markings, some with the encircled
EU and some without. These models were all discontinued after 1918.
To give you some idea of the quality of the Astras I have one that had
poor tolerances on the fit of the barrel lugs and two lugs from the frame
have been sheared, leaving only the front lug to carry the load of firing.
This is not an uncommon problem with "Rubys" and I have seen more than
one Astra this way.
Caliber: 7,65 mm - .32acp
Overall Length:
Height:
Barrel: "
Weight:
Sights: fixed
Magazine Capacity: 9round
Magazine Release: bottom of grip
Slide hold open Feature: none
Grips: Checkered Walnut
This is a Union III, but is unmarked.
The Union was the only gun to use this shape of grip and this gun must
have been made as a private label gun for someone else. Normally
it would have UNION spelled out between the two bars on the grip.
All markings would be the same on the slide except it would have
"Union" under the automatic pistol
Caliber: 7,65 mm - .32acp
Overall Length:
Height:
Barrel: "
Weight:
Sights: fixed
Magazine Capacity: 6 round
Magazine Release: bottom of grip
Slide hold open Feature: none
Grips: Horn
This is another type of grip that the Union
1, 6.35mm, used as late as 1932
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