Star Model B Waffenamt Proofed — 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, WWII Documented Bringback
SOLD FOR: $1,626.01
Make: Star
Model: Model B
Serial Number: 3899
Year of Manufacture: circa 1943
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “STAR SA”, “Continuadora De / B. Echeverria”, “*”, “Eibar / Espana”, and “Cal 9M/M”. The back left side of the slide has a bombed “P” Eibar semiautomatic pistol proof mark. The left side of the frame is marked “N” and a shielded “X” which may be an Eibar admissions stamp. The left front of the trigger guard also has a bombed “P” Eibar proof mark. The right rear of the slide is marked “3899”. The right side of the frame behind the grip is marked “B / 3899”, and a Waffenampt Eagle over “WaA251” (Eibar) stamp. The barrel is marked “3899 Cal. 08” and with a bombed “P” Eibar proof mark.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a flat topped square notched combat style rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a blade front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The grips show light oil staining, and the right grip shows a slight indentation just below the upper screw. The checkering shows light wear that is uniform, with no mars. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is deep. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The front edges of the slide and frame, and the top corners of the rear sight show surface loss. The sides of the slide show minor handling marks and the left side also has a few scattered spots of light pinprick surface erosion. The front of the grip and the un-checkered part of the backstrap show pinprick surface erosion, as does the extractor. The checkering on the curved backstrap, slide release and hammer is sharp. The hammer shows a brown patina on the top, with pinprick surface erosion on the sides. Three of the four grip screws are sharp, while the 4th shows minor disfigurement. The finish shows moderate thinning on all four grip screws. The markings are clear, but the markings on the left side of the slide are shallow. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The trigger pull is moderate with a very slight creep. The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with two blued magazines and a brown leather holster. Both magazines are marked “Star” on the floorplate. The one in the pistol shows very minor wear and a slight frosting on the floorplate. The spare in the holster also shows faint wear. Both are in Excellent condition. The holster is a top flap style with a magazine pouch on the front. The back side of the holster has a wide belt loop, but no maker markings. The flap has a steel stud for engaging the buckle strap that shows light erosion around the base. The flap hinge has minor surface cracks. The buckle strap is present on the body of the holster, and is intact, but a small crack has started on the edge just above the stitching. The magazine pouch is built into the front of the holster and shows slight surface loss on the bottom edge. The back of the holster has an indentation below the hinge and shows a dark band of stain, possibly from water. Otherwise, the holster shows only minor handling marks, and the stitching is all intact. The fit to the pistol and magazine is perfect. Overall, the holster is in Fine to Excellent condition. Also included with this pistol is a notarized declaration from our consigner that this pistol is one of three that his stepfather, Sgt. John E. Whitmore of the 1st Armored Division, brought back from Northern Italy when General Wolff surrendered, and the German forces under his command turned-in their weapons in March 1945. The declaration also documents Sgt. Whitmore’s involvement with the Italian campaign and the circumstances under which the weapons were acquired.
Our Assessment: The Star Model B is a close copy of the Colt 1911, the most notable exceptions being the lack of a grip safety and a non-removable mainspring housing. Over the years, the Star pistols have shown that their reliability is outstanding, and that they are a great buy for the money. Evidently, the German’s thought so too, and bought enough of them to have their own inspection at Eibar, Spain (hence the 251 Waffenamt proof). This WWII Star Model B “Bring Back” is in Excellent condition with all the appropriate markings and matching numbers. It also comes with a period holster and a spare magazine. We rarely see complete packages like this where the condition is this good and everything is included, with documentation on the “Bring Back”. This is a great correctly marked package for the Star or WWII collector
