Star Pistol Serial Numbers
Star B I need help understanding some of the stamps on my Star B. It's been in a. It included 8000 pistols; serial numbers 200. Looking for a STAR 9MM For Sale? Quickly Find an in stock STAR 9MM for Sale at over 1600 Stores, Auctions, and Classifieds in one click! Get the Best Price!
The Star Model BM is a
History
A total of 217,682 Star BM pistols were made between 1972 and 1992. BM serial numbers ranged from 1,226,501 to somewhere around 1,900,000. The pistols were made without mechanical variation throughout that period, but there may be a lot of different cosmetic variations depending on agency issue and commercial sales. In general, earlier pieces were more highly polished and later ones were more of a matte finish. After serial number 1,560,901 in 1981, all BM pistols were fitted with a ramped and serrated front sight. At approximately this same serial number a few other shortcuts were used to expedite production – a shorter rollmark/slide legend, coarser polish limited to side of the slide and frame, and all the small parts were given a bead blast matte finish. The slide cocking serrations are also reduced in number on these later pistols.
There have been three importers of ex-Spanish BMs to the United States; Garcia Sporting Arms, Interarms, and most recently Century (CAI). Most of what we see in the US are arms that were traded back in by various Spanish military branches to Star for exchange for newer model 28/30M and 28/30PK pistols. For the Interarms imports, Star reworked all these trade-ins prior to selling them to Interarms. Spain's Guardia Civil used BM's up through about 1990 or so as did many other police agencies in Europe and Latin America. Importers like Interarms got a hold of them when the agencies traded up to more modern designs.
Specifications
Action: Single-action w/locked breech
Barrel: 3.77' long w/1:10 rifling twist, swinging link with single lug
Weight: 2.14 lbs.
Length (From muzzle to rear of butt): 7.25'
Slide Width: 0.84'
Frame Width: 0.70'
Width across grips: 1.23'
Height (From bottom of grip to top of rear sight): 5.063'
Grips: Checkered brown or black plastic
Finish: Blue
Magazine disconnect: Yes (can be removed)
Sights: Notched rear blade and front ramp (serrated on some later models)
Extractor: External
Magazine Capacity: 8
Beveled magazine well: Yes
Trigger: Vertically serrated, pivoting
Description and Markings
LEFT SIDE:The rollmark on the side of the slide indicates the manufacturer “STAR B Echeverria”, and the town in which the company is located, “Eibar, Espana”. 'SA' is simply the Spanish abbreviation for 'Inc.'
The 7-digit number on the left side of the frame (oriented vertically in front of the grips) is the actual serial number from the Star factory. This number was moved to the right side and placed horizontally above the trigger on later series pistols.
Some Century imports may have “MADE IN SPAIN” or “C.A.I., GEORGIA, VT” engraved on the left side of the slide or frame.
RIGHT SIDE:1970s and 1980s pistols will have a diamond-shape stamp followed by a 5-digit number on both the frame and slide. The stamp is the proof mark showing acceptance by the are the Spanish Military Police (Guardia Civil), and the 5-digit number is the Guardia Civil inventory number.
On the right side of the trigger guard, there is a two digit number that signifies the year of manufacture. Star stamped the numbers under request from the Spanish military/police when they were initially supplied under contract.
“CG”, usually found on the right side of the frame, means “Guardia Civil”, and is the Spanish Military Police.
'CSP', usually found on the right side of the slide, means “Cuerpo Superior de Policia”. The CSP is responsible for criminal investigations and political control. Usually non-uniformed, especially in rural areas, and referred to as 'Le Secreta.'
Some Century imports may have “STAR BM 9MM SPAIN” or “C.A.I., GEORGIA, VT” engraved on the right side of the slide or frame. Century then stuck their import sequence number on it - which is the serial number to be booked and track the firearm here in the US.
Interarms imported pistols will carry the “Interarms, Arlington, VA” mark just below the ejection port.
BARREL:Later series pistols (reportedly ones actually issued to the military) had the pistol’s Star serial number on the side of the barrel, visible through the ejection port.
UNDER GRIPS:'X in a box'. Armas cortas - Admisión Short guns - Admission; from Eibar Test Facilities Proofmarks from Aug. 24th, 1921 to Dec. 14th, 1929
The 'bomb with P' is for a nitro pistol test. All the Eibar handguns proofed for commercial sales (including police) are proofed with this mark. The Spanish military guns were proofed with an 'I' inside the bomb.
'P inside a Circle'.. Armas cortas del grupo 2 - Prueba única Short guns from group 2 - Only test; from the Eibar Test Facilities Proofmarks from Jul. 9th, 1931
Year of manufacture/proof marks; The numbers on the left side under the grip toward the back of the frame are the Eibar Test Facilities proofmarks showing the Year of proof.
1972 = Q1
1973 = R1
1974 = S1
1975 = T1
1976 = U1
1977 = V1
1978 = X1
1979 = Y1
1980 = Z1
1981 = A2
1983 = B2
1984 = C2
1985 = D2
1986 = E2 Ford blaupunkt travelpilot nx.
1987 = F2
1988 = G2
1989 = H2
1990 = I2
1991 = J2
1992 = K2
HEEL:Under the heel is the model name, “BM”
External links
* [http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Critical%20Look%20at%20Star%20Model%20BM.htm A Critical Look at the Star Model BM]
This Model B pistol was manufactured by STAR Echeverria in the city of Eibar, Spain in 1946 and was sent to the West German police after WWII. It is a single action semi-automatic pistol that is of the recoil operated, locked breech design. It is chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. This Model B is constructed of steel and has a blued finish. The Patridge type sights includes a blade front sight and a square notch rear sight that is drift adjustable for windage only. The pistol has a barrel length of 4.8 inches and weighs in at around 38 ounces. The Model B has a slide hold open feature to inform the operator that the last round has been fired and to facilitate reloading when a fresh magazine has been installed. On the left side of the receiver is a push button magazine release located at the rear base of the trigger guard. It is fed by a single column detachable box magazine with an 8 round capacity. The diamond pattern checkered grip panels are made of wood.
The Star Model B was inspired by the Colt 1911A1 pistol design and although it is some what similar in appearance to the model 1911A1, the parts are not interchangeable. The pistol pictured on this page is the second version of the Model B which STAR began producing in 1933. This updated version of the Model B added several, mostly external, features to make the pistol look and handle more like the Colt 1911A1. Some of these changes included, adding an arched backstrap to the frame and a larger safety. The arched backstrap allowed the pistol to fit the shooters hand more comfortably as well as aided in the operation of the pistol. The height and ruggedness of the sights was increased to aid in visibility which allowed the user to obtain a greater accuracy and a quicker sight picture. Some of the more notable small changes included a shortening of the barrel bushing and the elimination of a separate safety guide bar.
These changes proved so successful that large numbers of these pistols were produced and have been used by many nations over the years. This included the Nazi's during WWII and the pistol later served with the West German police after the war. The South African Army purchased the Model B in large numbers and it served with them until the late 1980's. Numerous other countries bought these pistols as substitutes for their armed forces. By the time the Echeverria firm ceased production in 1975, the Star Model B had become the favorite of many knowledgeable pistol shooters. This pistol is fast handling as well as stunningly accurate and it remains an excellent choice for self defense to this very day.
The pictures of the Star Model B above were taken shortly after the pistol was removed from its shipping container and inspected to be sure it contained no live rounds. The UPS truck was probably still in the neighborhood when these photographs were snapped. In the above pictures, the paper tags from the distributor are still attached to the firearm.
The white tag has printed on it the model of the pistol and the serial number. The large orange tag has printed on it the usual warnings about the safe handling of firearms to include keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction, do not load until ready to fire and so on. Oh, the paper towel underneath the pistol is in place because the shipping box was opened on the kitchen table and these old firearms usually come packed with a ton of cosmoline on them, some thing that the wife is no longer fond of having on the dinner table.