Astra 300
Spanish semi-automatic pistol, smaller version of the Astra 400.
The Astra 300 is a Spanish semi-automatic pistol produced by Astra Unceta between 1922 and 1946. It was conceived as a compact variant of the larger Astra 400. The weapon uses a detachable stick magazine holding either 6 or 7 rounds, depending on whether it is chambered in 7.65mm or 9mm. Overall, the pistol measures 160 mm (6.3 in) in length, with a 98 mm (3.9 in) barrel.
Development began in 1922, and initial production ran from 1922 to 1923. The pistol first saw service with the Spanish prison administration during the 1920s, and in 1928 it was adopted by the Spanish Navy. By the 1930s, it had become a standard army sidearm. During the Spanish Civil War, the Nationalist faction supplied the Astra 300 to the German Condor Legion, and later, between October 1941 and July 1944, neutral Spain shipped roughly 85,000 of these pistols to Nazi Germany for use by the Wehrmacht. In 1937–1938, the Soviet Union purchased a small number from the Spanish Republic; these were lavishly decorated and used as awards. For instance, Kliment Voroshilov, the Soviet People's Commissar of Defense, presented luxury-model Astra 300s to pilots such as Vasily Stalin, Timur Frunze, and Sergey Mikoyan. Larger, more ornate Astra pistols (models 901–903) were reserved for military leaders and senior NKVD commanders. Production of the Astra 300 ended in 1946, when it was largely succeeded by the Astra 3000.
The pistol saw use by several nations and groups. The Republic of China imported it alongside other Astra models; it was carried by commander Luo Binghui of the New Fourth Army. Nazi Germany used it during World War II. After the war, Norway employed former German Astra 300s in its police force. The Soviet Union also used the weapon. In Spain, it served under the Kingdom, the Spanish Republic, and Francoist Spain.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Spain
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Wars
- Spanish Civil War / World War II
- Manufacturer
- Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
- Production Date
- 1923–1946
- Number
- 153,085
- Mass
- 0.630 kg (1.39 lb)
- Length
- 160 mm (6.3 in)
- Part Length
- 98 mm (3.9 in)
- Height
- 118 mm (4.6 in)
- Cartridge
- .32 ACP (7.65 mm), .380 ACP (9 × 17 mm)
- Action
- Blowback/Single
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Astra 300 was developed in 1922 by the Astra Unceta company and first produced in Spain in 1922/1923. It was originally used by the Spanish prison administration in the 1920s, and in 1928 it was adopted by the Spanish Navy. During the 1930s, the Astra 300 served primarily as an army pistol. In 1937–1938, the USSR purchased a small number of these pistols from the Spanish Republic; richly trimmed, they were used as awards. The People's Commissar of Defense of the Soviet Union, Kliment Voroshilov, handed over luxury models to Soviet pilots such as Vasily Stalin, Timur Frunze, and Sergey Mikoyan. Larger representative weapons, such as the 7.63mm Astra models 901–903, were given to military leaders or high NKVD commanders. During the Spanish Civil War, the Nationalist faction provided the Astra 300 to the German Condor Legion, and it was later supplied to the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Between October 1941 and July 1944, about 85,000 copies were delivered from neutral Spain to Berlin in Nazi Germany. In 1946, the Astra 300 was largely replaced by its successor, the Astra 3000.
Reader's Guide
The Astra 300 holds significance as a compact service pistol that saw extensive use across multiple decades and nations. Its design as a smaller variant of the Astra 400 made it suitable for military and police roles. The pistol's history reflects the shifting alliances of the Spanish Civil War and World War II: initially used by Spanish prison administration and navy, it later armed the German Condor Legion and Wehrmacht. The large-scale delivery of about 85,000 units from neutral Spain to Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1944 underscores its wartime importance. The weapon also served in the Soviet Union, where it was used as a ceremonial award for notable pilots. After World War II, former German pistols were used by Norwegian police. The Astra 300's legacy is tied to its long production run from 1922 to 1946 and its eventual replacement by the Astra 3000. Its adoption by multiple countries—including the Republic of China, where it was used by commander Luo Binghui of the New Fourth Army—demonstrates its global reach.
Did You Know?
- The Astra 300 was originally designed as a smaller version of the Astra 400.
- Soviet pilots Vasily Stalin, Timur Frunze, and Sergey Mikoyan received luxury model Astra 300s as awards.
- The pistol was used by the Spanish prison administration in the 1920s before being adopted by the Spanish Navy in 1928.
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