This is an outstanding example of a late production Spanish Astra 900 semi-automatic pistol manufactured circa 1933. These were manufactured by the Astra-Uneceta SA company with a large number of them exported to China prior to WWII. Externally they are a close copy to the 1896 Mauser semi-automatic pistol, with the same feel, weight and firing characteristics, however, their models have a removable side plate that exposes the internal mechanism. The left side of the receiver is marked ""ASTRA" AUTOMATIC PISTOL CAL 7.63/PATENTED JULY 12, 1928/Unceta y Compania GUERNICA (Spain)". Directly below the address are three Japanese Kanji characters which roughly translate to "Made in Japan" (refer to page 150 of "Astra Automatic Pistols" by Leonardo Antaris for information). The serial number and Japanese markings place this pistol within a known range of pistols produced primarily for the Japanese and Chinese markets, they were however diverted to the Euzkadian (Basque) government in 1937. The serial number "27805" is stamped on the lower edge of the frame just above the grip panel. The right side of the frame and forward section of the barrel extension/barrel have the Spanish proof and acceptance marks. It has a standard fixed, ten-round box magazine, with the rear grip strap machined for the attaching iron. Fitted with a tangent rear sight graduated from 50-1000 meters, fixed inverted "V" style front sight, twelve grasping groove grips, large ring hammer and lanyard loop on the bottom of the butt. These pistols have an all blued finish with bright nitre blue finish on the trigger, bolt release, rear sight slide, rear sight aperture and extractor. The grips are correctly numbered to the pistol with partial serial number "805".