Star started in 1905 and by 1914 they were making the Model 1914 which the French government bought, but it was expensive, and when WWI broke out they decided they needed a cheaper gun so they bought the Ruby from Gabilondo y Cia.  Echeverria quickly changed his production line to make the gun he called the Izarra, Basque for Star, which was similiar to the Ruby and would meet all of the French requirements.  Izarra models were in 7.65mm and factory stamped with the encircled letter I code on the tang as well as on the 3 nickel plated magazines shipped with each gun.  Star produced 57,000 of them along with more of the model 1914 during the war.  Star had been asked by the French to design them a gun in .45 acp caliber but development stopped when the war was over.  Star had manufactured 5 guns for their approval.

Star 1914 used by the French during WWI and later.  This gun is not nickle as it looks but blue with original grips used by the French. The gun also came in the shorter barrel for commercial sales.

After the war was over Echeverria went back to the 1914 model and improved it. Now calling it the model 1919.  7.65 mm Caliber.  Hammer and lanyard swivel were the two most obvious changes.

In 1920 they came out with the Military model 1920 which was purchased by the Spanish government.  This gun resembled the Colt 1911 in most respects but its inter workings are different, only using the Browning tipping barrel design.  9 mm Largo Caliber.

A year later Star came out with the Star 1921 which initally had the grip safety but this was not liked by the Spanish Military and it was removed before the year was over.  The front  sight is wrong on this gun.

This model was called the 1922.  The rear sight is adjustable with a screw on the right side and it has a thumb safety just as the Colt 1911.  9 mm Largo caliber.  Commercial A model designation with the plastic grips but this gun is actually a Guardia Civil Crown over GC marked slide with matching GC marked mag.  Do not know why it has plastic grips but suspect it was in a rebuild when traded for Model A of 1931.  These guns were exported to USA.

On the next variation A model 1931 they added the arched backstrap and the cutouts behind the trigger. The hammer was reshaped but the hole was retained and the safety shape also changed.  Like the previous models it does not have a safety when the mag is pulled and if there is a bullet in the chamber it can be fired.   9 mm Largo Caliber.   This gun is again a GC marked gun with plastic grips made in 1934.
 
 

In the years after the war the A model was made in limited numbers in 9mm Parabellum.  The A was made for the Spanish Military and for commercial buyers all over the world.  This particular gun is marked with an Air Force mark, made in 1946 and is when they started using the ergo bump on the front strap. Early variations were straight.

Model AS is much the same gun with the magazine safety feature added.
 

The Modelo Super which is an A model with EZ takedown lever on the right side of the frame, and has a longer barrel.  Drop the magazine, rotate the lever to the front and the slide, barrel assembly will slide off.  This model does not have the barrel link.  This model also has the mag safety and this gun has the Army proof mark which is an I inside a flaming bomb.

The model B is just an upgraded version of the A and was made in 9 mm Parabellum instead of Largo.  These guns were sold to Germany and Bulgaria during WWII and the Bulgarians are often faked as being WaA251 marked.  You should watch for the P08 caliber marking on the barrel & slide and make sure they have the correct serial number range.  The last shipment of guns to the Germans was not picked up at the Spanish border as they should have been because the Allies were in France and the Germans could not get to them.  They were then carried back to the Star factory where they sat until the Post War German Police needed them and most are marked LPN on the front grip strap.  This gun is an LPN but a later made one.  All parts are marked with a Police serial number.

Shown with the takedown lever slide lock pulled out just like on a 1911 Colt.  Lower photo shows connector link which is on all of the letter series guns but the super models.  Spring is sitting there because it wants to and could fly any minute.

The next gun again is a model B with some history.  It is one of the guns sent to Bulgaria, but is marked with the German Waffenampt WaA251.  It is faked so don't be fooled.  Check the serial numbers to make sure the Waffenampt is good.  There were a lot of them being sold by some dealer.  Won't mention any names because I am not sure they were aware of it at the time they were selling them.  Bulgarian numbers range from 225007-225775; 226101-230331; 230332-230375;  230826-231756;  231758-235782;  235901-240900.  These guns are at the time being sold again with the fake marking.  We are being told they came in from Russia and were capture guns but the Bulgarians more or less had nothing to do with Germany although they were allies.  The Bulgarians never entered Russia to fight so I figure if the Russians actually had them, they were aquirred during the cold war era and these marks were applied to get more money for them.  A real one will sell for about $1000.00 at the time.

 

The model BS is a B with the safety added to the magazine.

The model B Super is the same as the Modelo Super with the mods for the B series.  9 mm Parabellum. The serial number on the right side is Military and all proofs are under the left grip.

Removal of the Mag is required to take this gun down just like on the other models, but a simple twist of the lever forward like shown will release the slide.  The spring on the slide below is held captive and is not likely to fly.  Note that the barrel does not have the link as with the other guns and is held in place by the notch in the bottom lug.  This is a gun that I use and I have replaced the plastic checkered grips with some from 4S Brand Grips.

The model P is a model A in concept with a wider frame to handle the .45 ACP caliber.  This gun is from a 1948 Argentine Contract for the Buenos Aires Police and has that marking on the right side of the frame.
 

 
 
 

The model PS is just the same as the P except with the magazine safety and different magazine.  It is the fourth in a series of variations.  This is a commercial model with the main customer being the USA.  This gun is super accurate and will digest any ammo I have fed it without a hitch.  Mags are very hard to find.  This is an early variation with the old type ergo bump.  Last variation of this gun had the smaller bump like the Super B above.  I enjoy this gun much more than any Colt or Colt clone I have used.

Model PD is another in the series of .45 cal Stars.  Very light with anodized alloy frame and a nice gun for concealed carry.  Rear sight is adjustable

The Model M is built on a large frame like the P but is in several calibers, including 9mm Largo.  Some of the M's have a stock lug and stock.  This gun is I think heavy enough that it can handle the 38 super if you put in a heavier set of springs.  9mm Largo while a longer case is not any more powerful than the 9mm P.  Since it is not listed for the Super 38 I personally would not do it.
 
 
 
 

The model I  is 7.65 and made in several barrel lengths.  More or less an up grade of the 1919 to the new configueration

The Model Super S has the takedown features of all the Super models with the disconnector lever on the right side.  This gun comes only in .380acp.  It is larger than the Llama and the Colt making it a little more comfortable to the hand.  This particular gun is very choosey as to what ammo you can use but when you find a round that works, it works well.

The Model BM was made for the Guardia Civil and other Police agencies in Spain as well as Commercial.  The gun is made in 9mm Parabellum and has a 4" barrel with an 8 shot mag.  Size is comprable to the Colt Officers model except for the width.  It makes a beautiful carry gun and is as dependable as they get.  You will find them with GC and serial numbers.  PN and serial numbers plus some marked 9mm NATO.  The BKM is exactly the same but with alloy frame which is anodized black.

The model BKS known as the Starlite has an anodized alloy frame and comes in 9mm P only.  Weighing in at only 1 lb
10.5 oz. and having a 4 3/8" barrel.

The Firestar Model 43 is the most compact 9mm in the Star line.  It is a very nice, very accurate gun for its size.  It is a six shot with factory mags but they can be purchased aftermarket in 7 shot.  The barrel length is 3 1/4".  Fits the same holster I use for a .32 cal. Beretta Model 70.  The gun also comes in Starvel which is sometimes mistaken for stainless steel but it is electroless nickle which needs to be treated with a special lubricant because it will gauld.  The gun was made in .40 caliber, Firestar Model 40, and .45 caliber, Firestar Model 45.  All the same frame and the .45 is a hand full when you pull the trigger.  Very nice, easy to conceal for CHL.  Like my credit card I didn't leave home without it until I got the .40 cal. To me this is by far the best gun Star ever made.  Its heavy, small and accurate which makes it great for concealed carry.

9MM
 
 

40 Cal.

Firestar Plus 9MM P is an anodized alloy frame high capacity model that comes both in blue black and starvel finish.  This gun has a mag capacity of 13 rounds or 10 rounds depending on the mag you use.  Note that the model 28 and later guns used the slide inside of the frame giving one more rail to keep the slide tight for better accuracy.  This was first used in the Mab 35A and then in the Sig P210 which is a copy of the Mab 35A for the most part as they bought the patent rights.

The Star model 28 was developed with intentions of selling it to the Spanish Army but when tested it did not pass the tests so it was modified and a contract was signed for them.  The GC wanted lighter frames so they made them from aluminum with shorter barrels and designated them the 28PK.  The P being short barrel Police and the K being alloy.  This gun pictured is the M28 all steel frame of which there were about 16,000 made.

The Star model 31 was one of the last improvements to this series and the one pictured is the 31P short barrel police.

Due to the introduction of the tupperware frame, Star got into the act with the Ultra Star and much to my amazement, I like it.   The one shown is 9mm, with 9 in the mag and one in the chamber.  Really a good feeling gun to shoot.  Also comes in .40SW, if you can find one anywhere.

This is the type of holster sent with the Izarra to France.  They were made by a contractor, sent to Star, and then shipped with the guns.  Reproduction that is not quite correct, button is wrong type.  Contains a mag pouch inside for two mags.

This is a pre civil war and civil war holster used by the Republican Army, which of course was the Army before Franco.

 This type holster was  sent with the Model B to Germany.

The Spanish Military used this holster Post Civil War for their A models.  Supers will not fit.  Has Eagle shield that Franco adopted from earlier Republican Army.  It is the shield of St. James the Lessor, Patron St. of the Spanish Army

Holster used by the LPN for their Model B.  Serial number is on the back right hand side if facing you.

Bulgarian Star holster.  Not sure of the time frame as they used a dark red type holster for the Star also and they were marked made by a German Company.  This one has to be later than that.  Appears to be new and really doesn't fit right but they came with the Stars imported from Bulgaria.  May be for a version of the Tokarev as it remindes me of that type holster.

Holster that the  Guardia Civil used with the Model BM

 
 

 
 
 

The Llama Pistols
 
 

Ecuadorian Air Force Llama .380 Micro Max

Ecuador Airforce wings