I ran accross this looking for my STAR model F pistols and thought I post it separate from that thread.
I also posted this inquiry on Gunboards/Spanish Handguns.


Empty wooden box for (I assume) a STAR pistol.

I've had this for a quite a while.
It came empty except for the wax-like paper inside and the (extra?) firing pin & spring.

Anyone else ever seen one, have one or know when STAR used these wooden boxes.

It appears to be made of a composite type wood (chip type board).
Sliding lid with a shallow round cut out to pull the lid off.
Obvious STAR graphic markings on the lid. One end has a paper lable w/ 'No_______'
There are pencil markings on the label very hard to read anything.
But I can read Mod. COE on the right end of the lable hand written.

COE would be an Engraved Model CO ,,25 auto vest pocket.
Seems to make sense both for the wooden box and an engraved gun.
It's just that I've never seen but one other
of these boxes and no mention of them anywhere.
Maybe I just live under too many rocks and haven't looked around enough.

The box is 1 3/4" thick.
About 6" square.

Ever since I got it I have had the thought that Bill Ruger may have had his idea to market the first of his Standard Model .22 auto pistols in a wooden box w/a sliding cover based on seeing these. (Ruger collectors call them the 'Salt Cod Box')
But since no one seems to have seem the STAR boxes,,maybe not!

I've seen one other at a gun show. A dealer had it. He sold lots of foreign handguns and when asked if he had any
knowledge of when STAR used these he didn't seem to know anything about it.
I asked Leo Antharis(sp?) (author 'Star Pistols')at an OGCA show some years ago and he didn't seem to know at the time .







I have Antaris's STAR book (great book if you in to these handguns BTW), but I don't see any reference to the wooden box. I admit I only breeze through most books as I need to find info and am not a cover to cover reader.
It's quite a tome to sit and read.