Who made this Mouse Gun?

[Casimer]

This little pistol has been floating around among my family members for a couple of generations.

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dcpc85dc_561cpx93kdm

I used to think that it was an Astra because the word hope was stamped on the frame, and I think that I remember seeing Guernica stamped somewhere as well.

But the lettering on the slide is ..

MODEL 1913 AUTOMATIC PISTOL

CAL 25​

which I'm told is not an Astra marking.

Unfortunately many of the original markings are gone now. But I distinctly remember seeing the word hope, though it wasn't presentation lettering. It looked like the sort of stampings that are used to designate lots and series.

So I'm wondering if the pistol could be a mutt, with an Astra receiver and another manufacturers slide.

Does anyone recognize that model designation on the slide?

 

[bubba15301]

might be a ruby

 

[kodiakbeer]

A different model/year, but definitely this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Unceta_VICTORIA_1911.jpg

 

[RJay]

Not a " Ruby " and definitely a step above the ordinary Spanish Eibar type pistol. Unceta y Cia is or was Astra. Sold in the U.S. under a few trade names and also their own name. It is the Astra 200 or Firecat, 1920's untill 1966. However the condition yours is in the value would be minimal, maybe 50 dollars.

 

[Casimer]

Thanks.

Any advice on finding a compatible magazine?

Were the Astra mags relatively consistent across models and series?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

What's wrong with your existing magazine?
An Astra 200 magazine should fit.

 

[Casimer]

Bill

I'm seeing a consistent feeding problem that I suspect is due to the mag. Its travel is little rough, so I'm wondering if it's presenting the rounds at a consistent height and angle, though it could just need tuning.

What occurs is that the 1st and 2nd rounds feed and extract properly, 3 and 4 get hung up w/ their nose high in the entrance to the barrel, and 5 and 6 are fine. The jam looks like a classic 3 point.

Other than that the pistol is in decent mechanical condition. Though it does have about an 88lb trigger.

How heavy were the triggers on these typically?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I have found the magazine springs reversed in quite a few guns. If the mag is complete, and not butchered, it can be repaired and used.
Trigger pull should not be too bad. Have you lubed it?

 

[Gunplummer]

I have a .25 exactly like that and it is an Astra. Mine has a crack in the slide just under the barrel and still feeds fine. If you pull it a part you will see it was not a cheap gun to machine.

 

[Casimer]

I've lubed it, but haven't fully stripped it.

That's probably what I need to do next, because the trigger pull is so heavy that it suggests that something is jamming up the fire control group.

 

[HisSoldier]

It is the Astra 200 or Firecat

Astra Firecat, note the grip safety; http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=32102

Appears to be the same as the 200; http://www.littlegun.be/arme espagnole/astra/a astra 635 gb.htm

The OP's gun has no grip safety, it looks very "rubyesque" to me.

Here's an Astra marked "Hope", looks like a Firecat except for the gripping serrations. http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=46214

Spanish pistol with your markings; http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=5913