Star Pistol Serial Numbers

A total of 217,682 Star BM pistols were made between 1972 and 1992. BM serial numbers ranged from 1,226,501 to somewhere around 1,942,445. The pistols were made without mechanical variation throughout that period, but there may be a lot of different cosmetic variations depending on agency issue and commercial sales. SOG Acquired Star BM serial numbers. Serial number 1 has 7 digits and is found on outside of box, right end, and on pistol vertically by mag. Release button. Inside box the shorter,5 digit serial number is stamped in lid, and is again found on both frame and slide, right side. Finally on trigger guard, right side another number (2 digit only).

This Model B pistol was manufactured by STAR Echeverria in the city of Eibar, Spain in 1946 and was sent to the West German police after WWII. It is a single action semi-automatic pistol that is of the recoil operated, locked breech design. It is chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. This Model B is constructed of steel and has a blued finish. The Patridge type sights includes a blade front sight and a square notch rear sight that is drift adjustable for windage only. The pistol has a barrel length of 4.8 inches and weighs in at around 38 ounces. The Model B has a slide hold open feature to inform the operator that the last round has been fired and to facilitate reloading when a fresh magazine has been installed. On the left side of the receiver is a push button magazine release located at the rear base of the trigger guard.

It is fed by a single column detachable box magazine with an 8 round capacity. The diamond pattern checkered grip panels are made of wood. The Star Model B was inspired by the Colt pistol design and although it is some what similar in appearance to the model 1911A1, the parts are not interchangeable. The pistol pictured on this page is the second version of the Model B which STAR began producing in 1933. This updated version of the Model B added several, mostly external, features to make the pistol look and handle more like the Colt 1911A1. Some of these changes included, adding an arched backstrap to the frame and a larger safety.

The arched backstrap allowed the pistol to fit the shooters hand more comfortably as well as aided in the operation of the pistol. The height and ruggedness of the sights was increased to aid in visibility which allowed the user to obtain a greater accuracy and a quicker sight picture. Some of the more notable small changes included a shortening of the barrel bushing and the elimination of a separate safety guide bar. These changes proved so successful that large numbers of these pistols were produced and have been used by many nations over the years. This included the Nazi's during WWII and the pistol later served with the West German police after the war. The South African Army purchased the Model B in large numbers and it served with them until the late 1980's.

Numerous other countries bought these pistols as substitutes for their armed forces. By the time the Echeverria firm ceased production in 1975, the Star Model B had become the favorite of many knowledgeable pistol shooters. This pistol is fast handling as well as stunningly accurate and it remains an excellent choice for self defense to this very day. The pictures of the Star Model B above were taken shortly after the pistol was removed from its shipping container and inspected to be sure it contained no live rounds. Aktivator odin versii 137. The UPS truck was probably still in the neighborhood when these photographs were snapped.

In the above pictures, the paper tags from the distributor are still attached to the firearm. The white tag has printed on it the model of the pistol and the serial number.