Star Firearms — S-series pistols
The S series are all similar, compact, all steel locked-breech pistols chambered in .380 or .32 ACP. Practically every firearms manufacturer made pocket pistols in this approximate size range and these calibers, up through the 30's, many of them in Spain. A number of these were knockoffs of the Browning 1903, which Star — as well as dozens of other Eibar-region makers — made extensively.
Though the S is apparently just an extension of the pre-war pocket pistol, they are in fact scaled down versions of the full-sized Star pistols, complete with a short-recoil locked-breech. Whether derivitives of the A or B series (or the M or P sub-variants) is not entirely clear, but at the time of their introduction in 1940 B series pistols had been on the market for nearly a decade.
Throughout the series, both .32 ACP (7.65 mm) and .380 ACP (9 mm Browning Short or 9 mm Corto) versions have been made. In all cases, the base model is in .380, while an "I" suffix denotes a .32 caliber chambering. Most parts interchange between the two, but as the cases are different sizes, there is no way to simply switch out a few parts and change calibers. No other calibers, such as .22 LR, were made. The ultra-rare Super Target model (Super-SM) was not apparently made in .32
Manuals for Model S Pistols
The various types of Model S pistols, while still in the same family, have enough variation that two entirely different stripping procedures are needed. Luckily, I now have both manuals:
- For all non-Super model S pistols, use the Model S manual (5.2 mb PDF).
- For Model S-Super pistols, use the general Star Super disassembly instructions (124 kb PDF).
S-Series Pistols in Military Service
The S has been used by the police and armed forces of a number of countries, especially by troops who value space and weight the most, such as aviators. Unlike other military issue pistols, the model S seems to have never been produced in year-coded versions. The commerical, letter-coded variants were used for service instead.
I do not have anything like a comprehensive list, but know that certain units of World War II Luftwaffe aircrew were issued a model S of some sort. The Spanish Air Forces also issued them, and Marine pilots retained them in service up thru the early 1990s. Most model S pistols issued for service seem to have been stamped by the issuing organization. All those I have seen are on the right side of the slide, forward of the ejection port, as the Spanish Air Force seal is to the left.
Although I have seen several references to the Luftwaffe pistols being not Nazi proofed — and of this being a very unique thing in German service — recent troubles with identification of Model B (.08) pistols lead me to report it with a grain of salt. If you think you have a German issue model S, you might. I just have no way to tell right now.
Undocumented Sub-Variants & Parts-ordering Confusion
Anyone who sells Star model S parts has for years said that there are small, almost random variations in the internal dimensions of certain parts in the series. Places like the Numrich Gun Parts Corp. insist you directly measure the firing pin shaft and they will find one based on that size.
Based on my years of observing the difficulty most people seem to have with finding, reading and interpreting the model numbers from the bottom of Star pistols, I now have another opinion on this. I believe that the variations are documented, and are the model variants described below. Changes are the result of varying calibers, safety system upgrades and the like. As the guns are very common, and always remain almost identical-looking externally, they are all considered "model S," with differences.
Until someone with access to a large repository of model S weapons checks this out, its just a theory though. Keep doing whatever your parts supplier needs you to do when purchasing replacement parts.
Models S & SI
By the time the S series was introduced, in 1940, the basic series (A/B) had already undergone four major updates. For this reason, there are fewer unusual and early variants of the model S pistol. The basic versions, S and SI, are fully-realized designs, with arched backstraps and no apparent safety or manufacturing defects. This basic series remained in production until 1983, when the entire classic line was discontinued.
The model S pistols are identical to the larger A and B series, even to the degree that they all are shipped with the same manual (they even have tiny, removable barrel bushings!). Though the tipping barrel locked breech seems un-necessary, it allows the gun to be much lighter than most competing straight-blowback designs. The front sight remained a relatively useless half-circle throughout its life.
Four years after the introduction of the model S, a .32 caliber version was released, with the I suffix. This also remained in production until 1983. I find this to be somewhat odd for a European manufacturer. Among pocket pistols, .32 has been most popular in most of the world, inclund Europe, and .380 is more popular in the US. I have no idea what the reasoning was behind introducing the .380 version first.
Model SM Target Variants
There may also have been a model SM target pistol. It is not listed in all sources, and never very clearly or well, so if it exists I have no idea when it was made and what features it definately incorporated. As all target models are rare, its hard to tell for sure. If anyone owns a target model S, I encourage them to email me a photo and any information they have about it.
Models SS & SIS
In 1957, in lockstep with the basic A/B series, an improved safety variant of both calibers was introduced. This version remained in production alongside the basic model S and SI until 1983. All safety variants are denoted with an S suffix (following the caliber suffix in the case of the .32 gun, the SIS).
These weapons should all have a drop safety as well as a magazine safety, that makes the gun incapable of firing when the magazine is removed.
Models Super-S, Super-SI & Super-SM
Very few Super models of the S-series seem to have been made. I have only ever seen one for sure. These were also produced starting in 1948, when the A/B series began offering the their Super variants. They were manufactured alongside the basic and safety models until the entire product line was replaced in 1983.
The swinging link on the previous models was replaced with a Sig 210 (or modern Star) style closed cam path integral to the barrel. Related to this, a full-length guide rod with captive spring, and a quick takedown lever were added as well. All of these models have a magazine safety, but one different from the previous S variants, and the extractor is modified to double as a loaded-chamber indicator. Although other Super updates involved changing the sights to make them easier to see, the S retained its old-fashioned and hard-to-use pocket pistol sights. Minor changes were also made to the trigger system.
Most Super pistols, of all series, were not labeled with the overall series letter. However, there are so few Super-S pistols, I am not sure how they are labelled. Due to their size difference, it should not be hard to tell the difference between a Super-S and, say, a Super-P however.
Model Super-SM Target Model
The Super-SM is a so-called Target model, with an adjustable rear sight, manufactured from 1971 onward. It may also have additional features, such as enlarged grip panels, a lighter trigger pull and barrel weights. However, I have never seen one at all, so have no way of telling. Information on these is very scarce. There appears to be no .32 caliber version of this gun.