Make: Star Bonifacio Echeverria, Spain

Model: Super

Serial Number: 027330

Year of Manufacture: 1955 (A1 Date Code)

Caliber: 9x23mm Largo

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the frame above the trigger is marked with a “A1”, denoting the year 1955 and three Spanish proof marks. The left rear of the slide is marked with a flaming bomb proof mark. The left side of the slide is marked with a Star sunburst logo, “STAR”, “B. ECHEVERRIA / EIBAR - ESPAÑA”, “S.A. CAL 9MM”, and “027330”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODELO / SUPER”. The bottom of the grip frame is marked “SUPER / 473318”. The right side of the frame is import marked “IAC ALEX VA” and “SPAIN”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a flat-topped square notch dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. There are small areas where bits of checkering have worn away. Overall, the grips rate in Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark with well-defined rifling. There is fouling throughout.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 81% of its current metal finish. The slide shows light nicks throughout with scattered spots of light surface erosion and small spots of finish loss at the fronts of the slide flats. The frame shows light nicks along the edges. The grip screws show moderate tool marks with usable slots. The markings are generally clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This model has a manual safety and a quarter-cock hammer notch. The slide has some play to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol includes one (1) 8-round magazine that shows pitting from minor surface erosion throughout, has a strong spring, the feed lips are lightly worn, and rates in Good-to-Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: From star-firearms.com: “Information on Star as a company has traditionally been hard to get because they were an old-school European company. They tend to only want to communicate through the distributor network, and because in many countries their distributors consider them a second-tier brand, so did nothing to promote their story. But the biggest problem… now is that they no longer exist.” Too bad. Pistols made in Spain were attractive to buyers for the reputation of Spanish steel, which was known to “hold an edge” as it were, and Star made firearms for three quarters of a century, but ultimately shuttered in 1997 in a quagmire of financial market problems, being outpaced by the market, and workforce attrition. The Modelo Super on offer here is a cousin to the M1911A1, with that instantly recognizable form factor and heft, it has been well-used in its 66 years of service. 

Feel free to email or call with any questions and for additional pics. Feel free to reach out to us if you are looking for more quality firearms or something specific. We have a well stocked store and a few places we squirrel away the finer collectibles.