Photo Gallery: Spanish Broomhandles

This M900 serial #4, made in 1927, bears the earliest known sideplate address and Eibar proofs. The small ring hammer and Bolo grip were carried through to production guns while the "Hope" marking was later relocated from the barrel to over the chamber.

A few late M900 sideplates had a three-line address with Chinese characters whose direct translation "Made in Sun Country" was the equivalent of "Made in Spain."

Astra owner Rufino Unceta, fifth from the left, watches the ballistic testing of an M900 series pistol on the beach of Laida, just north of Guernica.

Factory literature pictures the M900 with a shoulder stock. An early pistol with a single-line sideplate legend, small ring hammer and solid safety is attached to the shoulder stock.

Rufino Unceta and officers of the Guardia Civil display a damascened Model F with wood grips. It is shown with its presentation case and spare magazines.