Star Pistol Model 9, WWII German issue 1942-1944

It's also often forgotten that Bulgaria was an axis power receiving German military aid from March 1941 through September 9, 1944, after which is became very evident to them they needed to switch sides - probably because the Red Army entered Bulgaria on September 8, 1944.

If Bulgaria rec'd Spanish arms in 1943/44, it is safe to say the Nazi government in Berlin made it so. FWIW.
 
Just arrived:

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It has that familiar SKS grease smell.

According to that serial number chart it unfortunately falls in the Bulgarian contract range.
 
Decent looking Star - Lever or Frontier?

How is it force-matched? Any electropencil? What is matching? Safety working OK? We need details! :)

I'm going to be tempted to remove the blue from the trigger and extractor on mine, that's how they left the factory.

These HAVE to be a better buy than a Norinco 9mm 1911.
 
Claven2 said:
Decent looking Star - Lever or Frontier?

How is it force-matched? Any electropencil? What is matching? Safety working OK? We need details! :)

I'm going to be tempted to remove the blue from the trigger and extractor on mine, that's how they left the factory.

These HAVE to be a better buy than a Norinco 9mm 1911.
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Well it has two sets of serial numbers. I am assuming the crude ones on the side of the frame, slide, and barrel must be Ivan's doing. There is one other number on the slide that matches the one on the bottom of the grip, but I am not sure about how these were originally stamped so I don't know if slide is truly matching or not. The safety unsurprisingly needs the hammer cocked further back in order for it to engage. The only electropencil marks are on the magazines.

That plum colored extractor is really out of place though...

For something that's the same price as a Norinco, this at least will maintain if not increase in value. You'll just be hooped for replacement parts and magazines to some degree.
 
Goo98 said:
Well it has two sets of serial numbers. I am assuming the crude ones on the side of the frame, slide, and barrel must be Ivan's doing. There is one other number on the slide that matches the one on the bottom of the grip, but I am not sure about how these were originally stamped so I don't know if slide is truly matching or not. The safety unsurprisingly needs the hammer cocked further back in order for it to engage. The only electropencil marks are on the magazines.

That plum colored extractor is really out of place though...

For something that's the same price as a Norinco, this at least will maintain if not increase in value. You'll just be hooped for replacement parts and magazines to some degree.
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Can you post photos of these markings?
 
Why's everyone so down on them being Bulgarian? I find a front line Bulgarian pistol much more interesting than a German example that was issued mainly to police units. To my mind it's actually more of a WW2 Eastern Front pistol. Different strokes for different folks I guess...
 
Nyles said:
Why's everyone so down on them being Bulgarian? I find a front line Bulgarian pistol much more interesting than a German example that was issued mainly to police units. To my mind it's actually more of a WW2 Eastern Front pistol. Different strokes for different folks I guess...
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I think it has to do more with them being advertised as German, rather than what they really are. I'm not worrying too much, its another piece of history either way.

Seeing as much of what Bulgaria had for small arms was of German issue anyways, it isn't surprising that along side of German Star Model B orders, there were orders from Bulgaria as well. Bulgaria and Germany were allies for that part of the was anyways.
 
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Yeah, I want one as a companion for my Mannlicher M95/31 that was given to the Bulgarians post anschluss.

Well, that and I just like Spanish handguns....
 
Giggity....

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The "new" Star along with a mildly modified Norc 1911. The wonders a good camera will do...

The Star arrived tonight and I wasted no time tearing into it. There was a mild amount of packing grease coat it, but it wiped down fine with little effort. The safety works well, no issues. It is not matching but it appears all the parts match, but they don't match the frame which is interesting in itself. So, to clarify, one of the two mags matches the frame. And the barrel, and slide match. None of the other parts are numbered. Finish and edges are smooth, but has seen use. It has been used for sure, but not abused. The Russian refurb process surely didn't hurt that appearance.

It has a squiggly line over the N stamped above the trigger on the frame. Puts it at a 1943 vintage. And the serial numbers put it in the Bulgarian contract.

Disassembled...

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Claven2 said:
Nice! Yours looks difrerent than some I have seen in that the trigger is still strawed. I wonder if your lower is reblued?
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Strawed?

The only visible piece that is purple like an SVT bolt is the extractor on the right side of the slide. And that isn't even a full purple as it looks streaky. Some of the original silver color is showing through. Doesn't look worn, just lightly coated.
 
Strawed is a term for unblued and turned a white metal color with hint of yellow as part of the hardening process. Many of the refund have hot dip blue triggers.

Mine arrived but I haven't unpacked it yet. Will post pics later.
 
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