1945 Star Model B

[Dump1567]

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.

 

[Hoosierville IRN]

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!

 

[GypsmJim]

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.

 

[SG-688]

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.

 

[2152hq]

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.

 

[LVSteve]

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.

 

[2152hq]

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