Just as I was about to leave my local shop relieved that I hadn't spent any money, I saw this Star model B in the cabinet. Being a big 1911 fan and never owning one of these, I decided to take it home ($350).

It's a CAI marked import that came with a generic box and 3 mags. Based on my research, it dates to 1945 (ser# 2741xx). Barrel has the German "08" (9mm) marking, but no Nazi marks on the gun. I'm assuming the grips are replacements. Bore looks excellent & the finish seems to be original. Some frame pitting under the grips. Just need to go shoot it.

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Watch & Pray

Mags for this are hard to find, at least the last time I looked. You are fortunate to get 3 mags. Hope the gun serves you well!

I had the same model from the same importer. Mine was a 1945 as well. I bought it in 2005 and sold it in 2019 for $180. It was 100% reliable, but not up to the accuracy of my other nines.

I believe those are the original stocks.

Attached Images

P9040026.jpg (82.3 KB, 28 views)

The grips on the Star may be from custom maker Jean St. Henri who made grips into the 1980's. He was reportedly a friend of gunsmith Jim Hogue, and for sure Hogue guns in magazine articles had his grips.

I bought my first pair mail direct in 1977. The trapezoidal Combat model stands out.

Look for a maker stamp on the back of the grips.

Attached Images

	St. Henri, Jean Colt Combat zebra 90.jpg (72.9 KB, 112 views)
	St. Henri, Jean cat grips 1977.jpg (81.0 KB, 9 views)

Nice one!
The Spanish Pistol Proof Date Code will also tell you when it was Proofed/Mfg'd
Star Firearms: Dating your Star Pistol with Proofmarks

Lots of these Model B Stars have added on German Waffenamt (sp?) marks put there by importers to raise their value. A lot of the Bulgarian surplused Mod B pistols brought in in the 90's were done up with the fake markings.

There are published ser# ranges for the German Nazi contract Star Mod B pistols so they can be easily ID'd.

3 Magazines is a good extra deal.
If you are buying any more, make sure they are the 'narrow base' style also called Early Style magazines.

Later production (50's and forward ) the mag base changed to a wide base that over lapped the butt of the pistol and they will not fit the early style frames.

mags for the Model A (9mm Largo cal) and Model B (9mm Luger cal) are the same except for the feed lip length.
The 9mmLargo mags feed lips are just a bit shorter in length than the 9mmLuger mags.
But usually they work in either cal pistol.
Both mags will interchange in the Models A&B.

The early style narrow base mags will also fit the still earlier Star Model 1922 pistol (9mm Largo).
That pistol later became the Model A pistol.
The 1922 mags didn't use the folded over lips on the mag base.
A pinned in place mag base on the 1922. But the narrow base Model A (& Mod B) mag with their style of base retention will work just the same.

They all used to be inexpensive,,not anymore.

I have a Super B which uses a linkless barrel and different takedown system. Slim, but heavy, these guns are very gentle in recoil so are ideal for a new shooter to try. The triggers are pretty good, too.

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Release the Kraken

This is my Star Model 1922. 9mmLargo. A former Civil Guard handgun.
This design eventually became the Commercial offering as the Star Model A (and Model B in 9mmLuger).
It went through a number of changes as the Model A early on as well