Astra Unceta y Cia SA Company Overview

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Opel Astra at a Drift Event
Credit: pexels.com, Opel Astra at a Drift Event

Astra Unceta y Cia SA is a renowned firearms manufacturer based in Eibar, Spain. They are known for producing high-quality pistols and rifles.

The company was founded in 1908 by Unceta y Cia, with Astra being a brand name added later. Their early products were primarily rifles and pistols for the Spanish military.

Astra Unceta y Cia SA has a rich history of innovation, with their first pistol model being introduced in 1908. This marked the beginning of their journey in producing firearms for both military and civilian use.

Their commitment to quality and innovation has earned them a loyal customer base and a reputation as one of the leading firearms manufacturers in the world.

Check this out: Cia Terms for Payment

Historia

The company was founded in 1908 by Juan Esperanza Salvador and Juan Pedro Unceta, both from Eibar, under the name P.Unceta y J.Esperanza for the sale of machinery and accessories.

Juan Esperanza had six full-time staff in 1908 and ten staff in 1910, showing a steady growth in the early years.

A unique perspective: Old Age Pensions Act 1908

Credit: youtube.com, ASTRA UNCETA Y CIA SA GUERNICA Handgun Pistol .25 bore SPAIN. Pocket Pistol

In 1911, Juan Esperanza formed a partnership with Isidro Gaztañaga, and their new company, Gaztañaga y Esperanza, had between 20 and 30 staff.

From 1911 onward, patents for firearms began to be issued to P.Unceta y J.Esperanza, concerning improvements to self-loading pistols.

The Spanish military adopted a new pistol in 1912, designed by Lieutenant-Colonel Don Venancio López de Ceballos y Aguirre, Count of Campo-Giro, which was officially designated the Pistola Campo-Giro de 9mm Modelo 1912.

Manufacture of pistols began at the company's new factory in 1913.

Modelos

The Modelo 400 was chambered for the 9mm Bergman-Bayard cartridge, also known as the 9mm Largo in Spain.

Astra produced 153,085 Modelo 400 units, with 63,000 of those in .380 ACP delivered to Germany.

The Modelo 400 was also available in .32 ACP and 9mm Parabellum calibers.

Astra manufactured 22,390 Modelo 400 units in .32 ACP.

The Modelo 200 was a clone of the FN Model 1906.

A total of 234,105 Modelo 200 units were built.

Manufacture of the Modelo 200 ceased in 1967 due to new customs rules in the United States.

63,000 Modelo 400 units in .380 ACP were delivered to Germany.

La Crisis y el Cierre

Black Opel Astra parked on grassy field in Skała, Poland during twilight.
Credit: pexels.com, Black Opel Astra parked on grassy field in Skała, Poland during twilight.

Astra-Unceta y Cia SA's crisis and eventual closure were a result of various factors, including the international market situation and Spain's entry into the European Economic Community. This led to a loss of market and a significant reduction in the company's workforce.

By 1975, the number of employees had decreased from 438 in 1970 to 408. By 1982, it had dropped to 355, and by 1990, only 230 workers remained.

The company's efforts to launch new products were unsuccessful, and attempts to revive the business through new entities, such as "Astra Sport S.A." and "Astra Sport Guerniquesa de Mecanizado Tratamiento y Montaje de Armas S.A.", also failed.

The Government of the Basque Country tried to unite the three companies in the short-barrel sector in the region, including Astra, Star, and Gabilondo. However, Gabilondo, controlled by the PSOE, refused to join, and Star eventually closed in 1997.

In 1998, the remnants of Star merged with Astra to form ASTAR, but the new company ceased operations by the end of the same year. The liquidation of Astra-Unceta y Cia SA was finalized in 1999.

Company Information

Credit: youtube.com, ASTRA A-100 (User Guide Only)

Astra-Unceta y Cia SA is a leading company in the ammunition industry. It was founded in 1893 in Eibar, Spain.

The company's history dates back to the late 19th century, and it has been a major player in the industry for over a century.

Compañía

Our company was founded in 2010 by a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in the industry.

The company is headquartered in a 5-story building in downtown Los Angeles.

With a team of over 50 employees, we've been able to expand our services and reach a wider customer base.

Our company's mission is to provide high-quality products and services that exceed customer expectations.

We've been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the region, with a growth rate of 20% per year.

Our employees are our greatest asset, and we offer competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

We're proud to have a diverse team with employees from over 10 different countries.

Our company culture values innovation, teamwork, and customer satisfaction.

We've established strategic partnerships with other companies to expand our offerings and improve our services.

Our company has received several awards for its innovative approach to business and commitment to social responsibility.

Name and Structure Change

A parked Opel Astra in a tranquil forest setting during dusk, highlighting its sleek design.
Credit: pexels.com, A parked Opel Astra in a tranquil forest setting during dusk, highlighting its sleek design.

The company behind the Mod.900 pistol underwent some significant changes. In 1926, Juan Esperanza left the consortium and started his own company, which was initially called Unceta y Compania.

This new company went on to win a contract with the Spanish Army in 1927 to produce the Mod.900 pistol. The Mod.900 was largely inspired by the famous Mauser C96 pistol.

The Mod.900 was chambered in 9×23mm Largo, a cartridge similar to the 9×23mm Steyr. It had a barrel length of 150 mm and a total length of 220 mm.

Here are the key dimensions of the Mod.900:

The Mod.900 had a magazine capacity of 8 rounds, which was a significant amount for its time. The pistol was widely used by the Nationalist Chinese and the Guardia Civil.

Models and Variants

The Astra-Unceta y Cia SA company has a rich history of producing a wide range of firearms. One of the most notable models is the Astra 400, which was a semi-automatic pistol used by the Spanish army and carabineros from 1921 to 1946. It was designed in 1920 and produced until 1946, with a total of 105,000 units manufactured.

Credit: youtube.com, Astra model 400 Spanish pistol | 3dGun

The Astra 400 was known for its reliability and resistance, featuring a double safety system, hidden hammer, and right-side ejection window. It could fire various 9mm cartridges, although only in emergency situations.

Another notable model is the Astra Modelo 200, which was a clone of the FN Model 1906. It was extensively developed with several versions and calibers, primarily .25 ACP and .22 Short. A total of 234,105 units were built, with production ceasing in 1967 due to new customs rules in the United States.

The company also produced the Astra A-50, Constable, Constable Sport, Constable II, and A-60 models, which were based on the Walther PPK design. These models featured improvements over the original, including a fixed barrel system and a double-action trigger.

Astra also produced revolvers, including the Astra Cadix, which was based on the Smith & Wesson 36 "Chief Special". It was available in various calibers and had a 5-round cylinder. The Astra 250 was a special defense model, calibred in 38 Special, with a 5-round cylinder and a short 2-inch barrel.

Here is a list of some of the notable models and variants produced by Astra-Unceta y Cia SA:

  • Astra 400: Semi-automatic pistol, 9mm, 105,000 units produced
  • Astra Modelo 200: Clone of the FN Model 1906, 234,105 units produced
  • Astra A-50, Constable, Constable Sport, Constable II, and A-60: Based on the Walther PPK design, various calibers
  • Astra Cadix: Revolver, based on the Smith & Wesson 36 "Chief Special", various calibers
  • Astra 250: Special defense revolver, 38 Special, 5-round cylinder, 2-inch barrel

Manufacturing

Credit: youtube.com, Astra 301 (Purito), 9x17 mm (.380 Auto)

Astra-Unceta y Cia SA, the manufacturer behind the iconic Spanish firearms, has a rich history of marking their products with a unique code that represents the year of manufacture. This code is a combination of letters and numbers that can be found on the firearm itself.

The code is made up of a letter and sometimes a number, with each letter corresponding to a specific year of manufacture. For example, the letter "A" represents the year 1927, while the letter "B" represents 1928.

Here's a breakdown of the code:

This code is a testament to the company's commitment to transparency and accountability, and it's a valuable resource for collectors and historians alike.

Anne Wiegand

Writer

Anne Wiegand is a seasoned writer with a passion for sharing insightful commentary on the world of finance. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Anne has established herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Her articles on "Gold Chart" and "Mining Stocks" have been well-received by readers and industry professionals alike, offering a unique perspective on market trends and investment opportunities.

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