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F. ASCASO Copy of Astra 400

bill grist

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Spanish copy of the Astra Model 400..After the Astra plant (Unceta y Cia) in Guernica was bombed in April of 1937, and Franco's take over of this area.. The Republicians had a great need for Model 400 pistols to arm their troops. So two factories were set up in the Republician zone to produce Model 400 copies the scarce one is The F. Ascaso, produced by a Republician arsenel In Tarrasa Northwest of Barcelona in the province of Cataluna.. This copy was named after Francisco Ascaso an Anarchist who was linked to several Spanish political assassinations in the late 20s.. He was later deported from Spain in 1931, and had returned to Spain shortly before the start of the Spanish Civil War.,and died in 1931 in Barcelona, He was then Publicized as a Republician hero, and his name placed on the pistol....It is estimated that around 5000 of these super rare pistols were produced..Apparently no Holsters were produced for this pistol, as this one was found in a heavely modified Campo-Giro model 1913 holster...The calibre is 9m/m Largo. It is reputed that some of the pistols made their way to the USA in the Luggage of the International Brigades.... The other Copy was a R.E....BILL
 

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Never knew

Spanish copy of the Astra Model 400..After the Astra plant (Unceta y Cia) in Guernica was bombed in April of 1937, and Franco's take over of this area.. The Republicians had a great need for Model 400 pistols to arm their troops. So two factories were set up in the Republician zone to produce Model 400 copies the scarce one is The F. Ascaso, produced by a Republician arsenel In Tarrasa Northwest of Barcelona in the province of Cataluna.. This copy was named after Francisco Ascaso an Anarchist who was linked to several Spanish political assassinations in the late 20s.. He was later deported from Spain in 1931, and had returned to Spain shortly before the start of the Spanish Civil War.,and died in 1931 in Barcelona, He was then Publicized as a Republician hero, and his name placed on the pistol....It is estimated that around 5000 of these super rare pistols were produced..Apparently no Holsters were produced for this pistol, as this one was found in a heavely modified Campo-Giro model 1913 holster...The calibre is 9m/m Largo. It is reputed that some of the pistols made their way to the USA in the Luggage of the International Brigades.... The other Copy was a R.E....BILL

I collected Axis Pistols and owned several 400's. Nevers saw one of these. Never thought to look at the logo on barrel for a different maker. Is the infromation on this version in Antaris' book ? Cool rig.
 

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