Spain started manufacturing arms at the turn of the century, mostly in small family shops. After WW1 the small shops produced many copies of Colts and Browning besides their own designs. The numerous small arms businesses flourished until the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) when the Franco regime only allowed three commercial arms manufacturers to continue operation after 1939. These were Star, located in Eibar; Astra-Unceta, in Guernica; and Gabilonda y Cia, in Elgoibar (producers of the Llama guns).

“Star” (trade name) Bonifacio Echeverria, SA firm was established in 1905 from the family operation by the brothers Bonifacio and Julian Echeverria Orbea. Besides “Star”, the firm also used another trade mark on their early firearms known as “Izarra” (meaning Star in the Basque Language), but the Star name trademark was fully adopted due to respect of their Basque family heritage. Unfortunately this fine firm closed its doors on July 28, 1997.

From 1905 to 1930 “Star” mostly produced pistols. Machine pistols were incorporated into the inventory from 1930-1952 and the submachine guns development started in the 1930’s. It wasn’t until after WWII that the Spanish submachine guns really appear on the market. Some of the early “Star” submachine guns were the SI-35, TN-35, and the RU-35.

This article and photos are about the Star Z-63 in my possession.

When I spotted this firearm at Knob Creek a few years ago it brought back many fond memories of Spain. Naturally I didn’t need it, but wanted it. So be it. This particular model Z-63 was imported by “Law Enforcement Ordnance, Athens Ga.” as stamped on the right side of the magazine well. The left side of the magazine well is the “Star” logo, Model and serial number.

I was verbally assured (no written documentation) that this particular gun was one of many utilized in the TV series “Miami Vice”. I wasn’t a Miami Vice/Don Johnson fan and had never watched any of the unrealistic “Bulletproof cop” shows.

Some of the physical proof that this was a movie/TV gun is that the barrel rifling has been bored out a couple of inches to accept a blank adapter and the mags that were modified from original Z-70 Mags.

The Z series Submachine guns are, Z-45, Z-55, Z-62, Z-63, Z-70, Z-70B and the Z-84. Up until the Z-63, the primary caliber has been 9mm Largo(9×23). With the Z-63, the primary caliber for manufacturing became 9mm Parabellum (9×19). The Z-45 design was based on the German MP-40 design with an improvement of a forward bolt latch safely on the bolt handle. Basically, this automatic safety provides a high degree of protection from accidental firing caused by dropping the weapon with a loaded magazine inserted and the bolt pulled back, or when the bolt is cocked half way and accidentally released. To fire the weapon, one has to disengage (grip or squeezes) the latch safety on the Mag well.

The Z-62/63 incorporates this automatic added safety but in a different format from the Z-45. The automatic safety latch is pivoted into the bolt. Forward movement of the bolt tends to keep the latch in its disengaged position. A sudden jar when the bolt closes tends to engage the latch. If the bolt closes slowly, the latch engages. To normally disengage the safety latch one has to pull the charging handle. Two rods can be seen on the face of the bolt. One operates the pivoting hammer when the bolt closes. The other releases the automatic safety when the bolt is pulled to the rear by the charging handle.

The manual applied safety is a push button/cross bolt type located in the center of the firing grip trigger housing.

The Z-62 made its entrance to the market in 1962, the Z-63 a few years later. Basically the Z-62 and Z-63 are identical, except in the following four areas.

First, the Z-62 Model was chambered for either the 9mm Bergmann-Bayard (Largo) cartridge or the Parabellum. (note: During my research I could not identify how the Z-62 was marked to distinguish the two different Calibers). When the world wide trend standardized the 9mm Parabellum round, the model Z-62 in 9mm Bergmann-Bayard was discontinued and the 9mm Parabellum version was redesigned as the Z-63.

Second, the Z-62 barrel chamber was longer for the Bergmann-Bayard (Largo) Cartridge.*

Third, the internal dimensions of the Mag well on the Z-62 Bergmann-Bayard is 1.45 inches long to facilitate the longer 9mm Largo cartridge magazine. These dimensions were changed on the Z-70/70B to 1.30 inches to facilitate the 9mm Parabellum Mag.

Fourth, naturally the magazine. A metal spacer tab was welded on the front part of the magazines for the 9 mm Parabellum. This provides a snug functional fit for the larger Mag well. The Z-70/70B incorporates the smaller Mag well and no spacer was needed.

Essentially the Z-63 Model production is exactly the same as the Z-62, except for the internals of the barrel.

The very unique operation of this weapon is that the trigger also serves as the fire-selector. Notice that the trigger housing is large and the trigger is very long and has two finger trigger grooves. Pulling the lower portion of the trigger groove operates the semiautomatic firing. The lower trigger operates the sear via disconnector, which becomes disengaged from the sear when the bolt starts forward to fire a single shot.

For full auto function, pulling on the upper portion will pivot the trigger in a way that the disconnector cannot become disengaged from the sear.

I found it a little uncomfortable (less control) to use only one finger for the full auto operation. I preferred to use two fingers for the full auto mode, the index finger resting on the upper groove and the middle finger resting on the lower groove, now my fingers are actually serving as the firing mode selector.

Because this little subgun has no selector switch, some of my fellow “TASK” [Triad Action Shooters Club (of North Carolina)] members ask if I cheat a little on the subgun matches because during competition most of my shots are singles. The rules are; “The selector has to be on full auto”. Since I use two fingers, only I know which mode I am in.

Shooting this subgun is pure pleasure and very controllable in the full auto mode. The sights are acceptable, the front being of a hooded blade and the rear flip type in 100 and 200 meters. I did find some trouble in ammunition selection. When I used cheap standard 115gr. ammo, I found that the spent cartridges did not eject up and away from the gun and in a few cases the spent shells did not fully eject or fell back into the receiver. This of course jams the action. Utilizing hotter ammo such as “Hirtenberger” eliminated this problem. We have to remember that the Z-62 was designed for the 9mm Largo, which has a bit more punch that the Parabellum and the Z-63 design change was only to the barrel. I suspect the Spanish Military recognized this problem a long time ago and issued or already had hotter ammunition than their standard 9mm Parabellum Mil. Spec.

Another unique item is that the stock folds and locks neatly into the ventilated barrel jacket. When the stock is folded locked forward, the buttplate makes a controllable and comfortable, firm horizontal forward grip…thus a large machine pistol. Additionally the stock is designed to swing from the folded to extended position with 30 round magazine inserted.

Loading and cocking this weapon is accomplished by the left hand; the right hand never having to leave the pistol grip. The Mag release is a push button located at the left rear bottom of the Mag well. The cocking handle is forward left and 2 inches from the end of the muzzle and is spring-loaded return.

I was worried about getting parts. Luckily, talking to Bob Landies, I was informed that he just received a whole brand new shipment of Z-70s. These guns were pristine new! Bob said he had tears in his eyes when he destroyed the receivers to make part kits. Bob also assured me that the Z-70s parts are all the same except for the Mag well. Sure enough, he was absolutely correct. The Big Bonus is that the Z-70 trigger housing fits and operates perfectly in the Z-63 receiver.

Basic Disassembly: Z-62/63/70/70B

• Remove Magazine, insure cartridge chamber is empty.
• Remove cap on the rear of receiver by depressing recoil disk in the center of the cap and rotate to either side. Keep a grip on this cap, the recoil spring will cause the cap to go airborne during this stage.
• Hold the weapon down and pull the cocking handle completely to the rear. Release handle and raise the muzzle straight up. The bolt will slide back and fall out, that’s if the receiver isn’t completely full of crud. Note: The receiver has 6 small internal indentations that I would call bolt guide rails, the bolt is slotted for these rail indentations. Basically the bolt rides the rails and no bolt rotation can occur. One may have to push the bolt back lightly with a finger from the chamber area.
• Remove the trigger housing by pushing out the retainer pin located on the upper rear part of the housing. Grip the trigger housing, pull back and then down.
• Removing the barrel is a little tricky because barrel removal is through the receiver. Point the muzzle up, grasp the barrel at the muzzle, rotate it clockwise a quarter of a turn, the fins of the barrel will fall through the slots on the end of the receiver barrel jacket. Let the barrel slide back but ensure that the U-shaped notch below the breech is in line with the bolt guide rails.
• Re-assembly is the reverse, but naturally never easy the first time around, especially with the barrel design on this weapon.

Z-62/63 Weapon Specification:

Cartridge: 9mm Bergmann-Bayard (Largo) or Parabellum*
Operation: Blowback, Openbolt
Cyclic rate of Fire: 550 rpm
Length, extended stock: 27.56 inches (700 mm)
Length, retracted stock: 18.9 inches (480 mm)
Barrel length: 7.87 inches (200 mm)
Weight, unloaded: 5.84 lb. (2.65 kg)
Type of feed: Two-position, two-column
Magazine capacity: 20, 30, or 40 rounds**
Rifling and twist: 6, Right
Approx. muzzle velocity: 1,200 fps (370 m/s)
Sight, front: Blade, hooded
Sight, rear: Flip peep, 100 and 200 meters

* The Z-62 incorporated both Largo and Parabellum. The Z-63 in 9mm Parabellum only.
** The Z-62 magazines were offered with either 20, 30 or 40 rounds. The Z-63 was only offered with a 30 round.

A special thanks to Dave Hiester for Photo assistance.

Sources: The World’s Machine Pistols and Submachine guns. Vol. II

The MP34 as used by the Austrian Army and was chambered for the 9mm Mauser cartridge. It was also issued to the Austrian police in 9mm Steyr, both calibers were found in German service or police units. When Austria was incorporated into the Third Reich the weapon was taken into German Army service as the MP34(ö) (ö for Õsterreich) and extensively used. Then re-chambered for the more common 9mm Parabellum round.

Note: do not confuse the Bergmann MP34 with the MP34(ö). The MP34 is the only subgun designed by Bergmann. Manufactured by Carl Walter Waffenfabrik, Zella-Mehlis, Junker & Ruh AG, Karlsruhe.

The Bergmann MP34 has a double trigger of peculiar form; pulling the front trigger gave single shots, but further pressure caused it to bear on the secondary trigger to give automatic fire. Whereas the MP34(ö) has the selector on the left side of the stock and also the Bergmann MP34 has a built in compensator at the muzzle and a safety slot cut into the top receiver cover for the bolt to be safely locked back.

Unusual Features of MP34(ö)

The weapon is typical of the period in which it was made of heavy forging. The only unusual feature is the Magazine loader in which is machined into the magazine housing. The magazine is inserted into the underside of the magazine housing and is then loaded with ten round chargers-stripper clips through the opening in the top of the magazine housing.
Note: On the 45 ACP version the magazine housing is of a solid piece of stock and the Magazines are loaded in the conventional method.

Characteristics of Austrian MP34(ö) Submachine gun

Caliber: 9mm Mauser (Army Model)
System of Operation: Blowback
Weight loaded: 9.87 lbs.
Barrel length: 7.80 in.
Feed mechanism: 32 round detachable, staggered box magazine.
Sights: Front: Barney corn
Rear: Tangent with “V” notch graduated from 50-500 meters in 50-meter increments.
Muzzle velocity: 1300 fps (for 9mm Mauser)
Cyclic rate:500 rounds per minute.
Bayonet: – utilized the Austrian M95

Solothurn S1-100 Civilian version

The Solothurn S1-100 in Austrian guise as the MP34(ö) or Steyn-Solothurn

Caliber:9mm
Length:33.5 in
Weight:8lb 8oz
Barrel:7.75in long, 6 grooves, right hand twist
Feed System: 32 round detachable box magazine
System of operation: Blowback, selective fire
Cyclic rate: 500rpm
Manufactures: Waffenfabrik Solothurn AG, Solothurn, Switzerland, Waffenfabrik Steyr, Steyr, Austria

The S1-100 is generally considered to be the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of sub-machine guns, made of the finest available materials and finished to the highest possible standard. Its mechanism is quite simple, the usual bolt having its return spring housed in the wooded buttstock, and the firing pin being separate. It fires from an open bolt in the usual blowback mode. One of the most unusual features is the incorporation of a magazine loading device in the magazine housing. The first specimens of this weapon were generally made in 7.63mm Mauser caliber or 9mm Steyr, and ammunition of these types was always supplied in pre-packed 10-round chargers for use in the pistols. So that these chargers could be used for loading the sub-machine gun magazines, the magazine housing has a slot in top and bottom; the empty magazine could be withdrawn from its housing and slipped into the bottom slot. Chargers of cartridges were then inserted into guides in the top slot and the rounds stripped down into the magazine.

MP34 in 45 ACP

I had acquired this weapon from Ron Darnell of Darnell’s Gun Works & Range of Bloomington, IL. Ron had set up a table at the Spring 2000 Knob Creek shoot and this is where I spotted this beauty. Ron was cleaning house one day “actually he was building a new one” and decided to clean up this treasure that he acquired many years before from an estate sale. From what information that Ron passed on to me is that a bunch of these MP34s were imported into the U.S. by ARMEX in the early 1980s from South and Central America.

The weapon was in fair condition and missing the very rare 45ACP Magazine. Mike Grady; is the Gunsmith for Darnells Gun Works, Mike and Ron got to looking closely at the gun and realized that other than the bolt, barrel (9mm), top cover and magazine housing everything was essentially the same as the standard Steyr 9mm. The 45 ACP barrel threads and physical dimensions were the same for the standard 9mm barrel, His biggest obstacle was to make a Magazine adapter to fit in the Magazine housing for the standard 9mm mags. No problem for Mike, as the master that he is, Mike machined out an adapter in the precise internal dimensions of the magazine well. Mike also hand polished a re-blue to the steel better than the Old World Masters. Now to find the MP34 45ACP magazine, well a few phone calls to many of the industries best and good old Bob Landies came up with one.

Another factor that I can not verify is the total number of models made in 45 ACP. Ron Darnell seems to remember reading some where that about 500 hundred were made but again not verified.

Shooting this firearm is pure pleasure; it lifts and fits naturally to my shoulder and the sight alignment seems natural. But again shooting the same gun in different calibers is night and day. The 9mm is smooth and very, very controllable. Whereas the 45ACP is also smooth and controllable but you know you are shooting a 45 and the shooter has to master the extra energy of the 45.

One discrepancy that I found between previous published information and my measurements are the overall lengths of the barrels. My measurements on the 45 ACP barrel and my 9mm parts kit barrel are identical at 8.12 inches. Other published listings were of 7.8 and 7.75 inches.

Magazines in 45 ACP are as rare as hens teeth. I have only one original 20 round Magazine. My research did not afford me any information on this subject. I do not know if they made 10,15 or 30 round 45ACP mags for this gun. I have a modified 30 round Thompson mag that has been cut and reshaped that works quite well and I have been looking at the possibility of modifying Grease gun mags. You fellow shooters know nothing works best other than the originals.

Now we have a firearm that shoots both calibers that takes less than 2 minutes to change.

From 45 ACP to 9mm in steps: Naturally reverse order to change.

1. Open top cover and remove (one screw).
2. Pull back and lift out 45 ACP Bolt
3. Unscrew 45 ACP barrel
4. Screw in 9mm barrel – no specific torque, just snug with adjustable wrench.
5. Install 9mm Bolt
6. Install 9mm top cover
7. Install 9mm magazine well adapter

Specifications of this Featured MP34 in 45 ACP

Weight: 9.75 lbs.
Weight: – Fully loaded with 22 round Mag. 230gr. Bullets – 11 lbs.
Barrel length – 8.125 inches
Bolt weight – without guide rod – 2.25 lbs.
Bolt length – without guide rod – 7.13 inches
Bolt length – with guide rod – 13.88 inches
Feed mechanism: 20 round detachable, staggered box magazine.
Sights: Front: Barney corn.
Rear: Tangent with “V” notch graduated from 30-110 meters in 10-meter increments.
Cyclic Rate: Unknown at this time. I didn’t have the proper electronic measuring devices at the time of this writing but on firing the 45ACP model it was very audible to myself and by other firearm enthusiasts that the cycling rate was much faster. This was due to the nature of physics – basically looking at the physical dimensions of the 45 Bolt – it is larger and longer than the 9mm bolt, thus a shorter stroke or travel distance.

*The Receiver Top Bolt cover incorporates the safety bolt slot cut into the side. Whereas the 9mm has the push button safety on the top receiver cover for the bolt. *The bolt does not have the safety slot cut like the 9mm

Specification of this Featured 9mm parts kit incorporated into the MP34 45ACP Receiver.

Weight: 9.125 lbs.
Weight: – Fully loaded with 32 round Mag. 115 gr. Bullets – 10.5 lbs.
Barrel length – 8.125 inches
Bolt weight – 1.75 lbs.
Bolt length – without guide rod – 5.75 inches
Bolt length – with guide rod – 12.5 inches
Feed mechanism: 32 round detachable, staggered box magazine.

Incorporates push button top receiver cover safety. Does not incorporate safety bolt slot cut, but incorporates push button lock down
Sights: Front: Barney corn
Rear: Tangent with “V” notch graduated from 50-500 meters in 50-meter increments.

Another feature is the ability for bayonet attachment. The Austrians did not want to re-invent the wheel so they incorporated the Steyr 1895 rifle bayonet, also known as the M95 bayonet to fit on the MP34. I found that the M1934 (modified M1904 bayonet) Solothurn SMG bayonet made by Simson & Co. of Suhl for Portugal fits perfect. The M1934 bayonet is one inch longer than the M95 Steyr bayonet. Neither of these Bayonets will fit the 45ACP model because the muzzle diameter of the 45ACP barrel is .04 inches wider than the 9mm barrel. I filed and sanded the inside barrel port of the M95 bayonet and it fits perfect on the 45 barrel. I do not believe a specific bayonet was made for the 45ACP model and the modification I performed were probably the same.

Note: Some technical data specifications are from the book: Small Arms of the world by Smith and Smith (Stackpole books) 1969

By Vince Oliva

The American Class 3 Association sponsored and put together a Belt Fed Match. Tony Gooch, President and Chairman of the American Class 3 Association molded and put forth a new event that will be a regular feature at KCR.

The rules of engagement were that any belt fed machine gun of less than .50 caliber may be used and fired only from a mount. The mount for the gun may be a tripod, quad leg mount, sled or wheeled mount.

The gun shall not be mounted to the mount until the crew has entered the “bunker”. The bunker in this scenario was square bales of hay stacked to create a wall with a port hole.

No tracer or incendiary ammo was allowed. Belt length restrictions were that the first belt must contain no more that 50 rounds and no less than 25 rounds and there shall be one mandatory belt change. There were no belt length restrictions after the first change.

Two separate classes of entries were set up for this match, Tripod and Bipod. Bipod had the same rules except for the mounting portion.

The scenario for this event was to have a crew (3-person max limit) from the starting line (about 20 feet from the bunker) have their ammo, gun and mount separated. At the signal from the range officer the crew would enter the “bunker” area, set up the mount, gun, load the ammo and begin firing. A 10 minute time limit was imposed.

The targets were of 18 different colored helium filled balloons set up in 3 separate sections of 6 balloons per section with 2-3 feet of sting tied to a base. If a shooter cut the balloon string it was a “lost” target. The amazing part was that most competitors completed the course. Have any of you ever tried to hit a balloon at 100 yards especially when the balloon is bobbing up and down and waving side to side due to the wind. Let me tell you that it was a very breezy day and the competitors had to really work. I especially commend the tripod shooters. The gunner had to work the T&E constantly. One amazing thing that was observed by this writer and other spectators, during an engagement of fire a balloon would jump to the side caused by a near miss or shock wave of the bullet. Thus making the target even more difficult to hit.

Tony set up a separate class for the bipods. The bipods had a very big advantage due to the maneuverability of the weapons. The resulting scores display the big difference in set up time as well.

A separate and special plaque award also went to the most authentic appearing gun crew of the competition. With only one entry, the most authentic appearing crew, the Russian Red Army, went to Bob Raymond (Gunner), Randall Raymond and Sue Bennett. This crew did it right. With an M1910 Russian Maxim and a shouldered PPS41, dressed in the proper period of military garb it set the stage for a very colorful event.

This writer believes this new belt fed competition will be an ongoing event and as the word gets out more entries for the most authentic appearing crew will materialize. With the 1919MG one could be wearing WWII, Korean or Vietnam period uniforms.

All in all the competition was a great success and fun was had by all. Looking forward to attending the next belt fed competition this fall shoot. Any one who would like to attend this event can contact Tony Gooch AKA mguntony@yahoo.com

TRIPOD CLASS RESULTS:

83.1 Seconds, Gun – 1919A4
Team: 2 man crew
Keith New – Missouri
Steve Reece – Missouri

193.4 Seconds, Gun – 1919A4
Team: 3 man crew
Joe Carrere – Tenn.
Bill Ownbey – Tenn.
Paul Winters – Ky.

194.5 Seconds, Gun – 1919A4
Team: 3 man crew
Bill Ownbey – Tenn.
Malcome Davis – Alabama
Matt (Mongo) Bright – N.C.

233.1 Seconds, Gun – 1910 Russian Maxim
Team: 3 man crew
Bob Raymond – Tenn.
Randell Raymond – Tenn.
Sue Bennett – Louisiana

666.4 Seconds, Gun – 1919A4
Team: 3 man crew
Mike Bergmann – Ohio
Drew Kretzschmar – Ohio
Ed Beyer – Ohio

No score, Gun Malfunction, 1919A4
Team: 2 man crew
Tim Hakenwrth – Missouri
Mike Klos – Missouri

BIPOD CLASS RESULTS

58.82 Seconds, Gun – Stoner (.223)
Team: Single man team
Mike Homberger – Illinois

117.9 Seconds, Gun – MG42
Team: Single man team
Dave Wright – Illinois

165.2 Seconds, Gun – 1919A6
Team: Two man crew
Joe Carrere – Tenn
Paul Winters – Ky.