Hello everyone, whilst stumbling around looking for some source material or information for any sort of select fire/ machine pistols for Japan I came across a piece of writing in PDF form called " LAS PISTOLAS “ROYAL” Y “TIPO MAUSER”, PARA EL MERCADO CHINO" or rather when translated ‘The “ROYAL” and “Mauser type” pistols, for the Chinese market’.
(Keep in mind I’m putting this as an event item sort of idea)
It discussed distribution of a variety of Spanish made pistols, especially those of the ASTRA Mauser type pistols (900 - 903) that were exported to China through Japan (of whom also occasionally purchased said pistols too) until a subsidiary was established in Shanghai in 1931.
Prior to that year some of the distributors in Japan unto China would even stamp the ASTRA pistols as seen here on two ASTRA 900s with Kanji that roughly translate to “Made in Japan”
Furthermore I found an English translation of sorts that seems to plagiarise, but also expand upon some information present in the original Spanish document that specifically mentions the ASTRA 902 select fire pistol of which it claims 7,075 were made from 1928-1933; most of which being sold to China. And from the information of the Spanish document there was no subsidiary till 1931. So it’s probable some 902, and maybe even 903s were marked with the same Kanji previously shown on the ASTRA 900. Also that some of them were likely purchased in small numbers within Japan.
An ASTRA 902 Mauser
On an additional note still pertaining to Mauser type suggestions for Japan, I present a captured semiautomatic option.
The Shanxi Type 17 (.45 ACP) produced by the Taiyuan Arsenal from 1928-1931 used by the Chinese.
A Chinese soldier with a Type17 Shanxi
Now in terms of sources I’ll provide both PDFs and note that the Original Spanish document has a bibliography they used for information to source their document. Whilst the plagiaristic English version doesn’t but appears to pull from same sources in the bibliography.
Thank you for reading, also any and all additional information on the topic of Mauser type pistols in Japan is greatly appreciated too!
Sources for the documents above
Bibliography used by Spanish document
Astra Automatic Pistols", Leonardo M. Antaris, Sterling, Colorado USA, 1990
“The Spanish ‘Mauser Type’ Pistols”, Artemio Mortera Pérez, Valladolid, 1998
“1840-1940, One Hundred Years of Spanish Pistols and Revolvers”, Juan L. Calvó and Eduardo Jiménez Sánchez-Malo, Pontevedra 1993
“The National Arms Industry, 1830-1940 - Factories, Privileges, Patents and Trademarks”, Juan L. Calvó, Eibar, 1997
