Astra-Unceta y Cia 900
Astra-Unceta y Cia · Pistol · Discontinued · 1927
Also known as: Astra 900, Unceta Model 900
Overview
The Astra Model 900 is a Spanish semi-automatic pistol built by Astra-Unceta y Cia from 1928 to 1944, closely patterned on the German Mauser C96 'broomhandle.' Chambered in 7.63x25mm Mauser and fed from a fixed 10-round magazine via stripper clips, it is a short-recoil, locked-breech design supplied with a wooden shoulder-stock holster. Though externally a C96 lookalike, it used Astra's own internal lockwork with a removable sideplate for simpler disassembly.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1260 g (44.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 290 mm (11.42") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Height | 150 mm (5.91") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 461 m/s (1512 fps) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.63x25mm Mauser · primary — also known as 7.63 Mauser, .30 Mauser, 7.63x25
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Lever, Half Cock Notch
- Features: Broomhandle Grip, Detachable Shoulder Stock Holster, Tangent Rear Sight, Stripper Clip Loading, Removable Sideplate Lockwork
Variants
- Astra Model 901 — Select Fire
- Astra Model 902 — Select Fire
- Astra Model 903 — Select Fire
Service history
Operators
- Republic of China · adopted 1928 · as Astra 900
- Spain · as Astra 900
Conflicts
- Chinese Civil War (1927-1949)
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)
- Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 21,000 · Production years: 1928-1944
Roughly 20,000-21,000 of the Model 900 specifically; the majority exported to China
Origin
Country of origin: Spain
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
The Model 900 itself is semi-automatic only; full-auto/select-fire belongs to the 901/902/903/904 family. Physical dimensions are well attested, but height (~150 mm) is taken from the close-kin 903 data and is approximate. The 461 m/s muzzle velocity figure is widely repeated but traces to popular references; treat as nominal.
Background
Spain built the Astra 900 to muscle in on a booming Chinese arms market: an embargo banned 'military' weapons into China's warlord conflicts, but stocked pistols slipped through the loophole as supposedly civilian arms. Tens of thousands of these Mauser knock-offs poured into China, making this Basque-built broomhandle a more familiar sight on the Yangtze than in Spain.