An interesting piece, Mark. Lists published by both Wittington (Vol. II, page 64) and Still (page 355) indicate that your Star Model B (number 228936) was one of 15,000 sold to the Bulgarian armed forces - in fact, Still reports that 228936 was one of the first Star shipments to Bulgaria in September 1943. (At that time, Bulgaria was an ally of Germany and its troops fought alongside the Germans in the Balkans and elsewhere - but unlike the other German allies of Eastern Europe, they did not declare war on Russia and therefore did not contribute troops to the war on the Eastern Front.)
Incidentally, the "B" prefix evidently does not signify the Bulgarian destination of the piece; that prefix also appears on many other Star Bs, including mine, which was one of those delivered to the Germans at Hendaye, France, in May 1944.
Moreover, placement of a portion of the serial number at rear of slide and on barrel is also, I understand, not seen on those sold to the Germans - and I was unaware that those sold by Star to the Bulgarians also had a German waffenamt acceptance mark. I wonder if the extra serial numbering was specified by the Bulgarian customers, added later by them, or ? Since they evidently went directly to Bulgaria, I also wonder why the waffenamt was added, where, and by whom. (It wasn't even placed on all of those delivered to the Germans.)
It appears that very, very few of the Bulgarian Stars were imported until a fairly large number were recently brought it and sold by several dealers, including Cole, etc. Almost all of them I've heard about seem to have been reblued; has yours? What import stamp appears on it?
Again, your Star is an interesting WWII relic and raises some intriguing questions. If other forum members could provide some insight, it would add a great deal to our collective knowledge of the pistols of Germany and its allies in WWII.
Incidentally, the "B" prefix evidently does not signify the Bulgarian destination of the piece; that prefix also appears on many other Star Bs, including mine, which was one of those delivered to the Germans at Hendaye, France, in May 1944.
Moreover, placement of a portion of the serial number at rear of slide and on barrel is also, I understand, not seen on those sold to the Germans - and I was unaware that those sold by Star to the Bulgarians also had a German waffenamt acceptance mark. I wonder if the extra serial numbering was specified by the Bulgarian customers, added later by them, or ? Since they evidently went directly to Bulgaria, I also wonder why the waffenamt was added, where, and by whom. (It wasn't even placed on all of those delivered to the Germans.)
It appears that very, very few of the Bulgarian Stars were imported until a fairly large number were recently brought it and sold by several dealers, including Cole, etc. Almost all of them I've heard about seem to have been reblued; has yours? What import stamp appears on it?
Again, your Star is an interesting WWII relic and raises some intriguing questions. If other forum members could provide some insight, it would add a great deal to our collective knowledge of the pistols of Germany and its allies in WWII.
