I'm not really sure. I think very early 1970s, but the usual 2 letter year code is not present. I believe the internet gives 1972 as the end of the model's production.
Well, if you haven't as yet gotten into Llamas, go to Gunbroker and do a search for "Llama pistol." There are usually 20 or so for sale, tending to be the IX-A .45s and smaller 1911-like .22s, .32s, and .380s. The small ones were originally swinging link barrel designs, but in later years were changed to blow back and it's hard to tell which they are just looking at them. I think you have a 1911? No?
Llama always made their version, but none of the parts at all were interchangeable with the US 1911 until the much later Max-1 pistol, which has about 80% interchangeability. Important stuff like barrels and magazines
will swap, some things like grip screws won't. Here's one I picked up for $300 on GB about 4-5 months ago. It appeared to be in terrible condition, and I thought it would make a great winter restoration project. But once I cleaned all the rust off and replaced the (chemically melted?) rubber grips, it was really decent with an excellent bore.....so, no project. Right now nice specimens of the Max-1 are running $500-600. Still, hard to get a nice 1911 for that price. It's a .40 S&W, and I got lucky with CDNN and purchased 4 stainless magazines for $13+ each, originally meant for a 1911 but which fit and work perfectly. Don't turn your nose up at a Llama Max-1. Good pistols.
I can understand that. Other than perhaps the effort needed to retract the side they can't be faulted for much. Very accurate and reliable, a big plus in the frozen Russian winter. He must have gotten
lucky, as 5,950 Mod. 400s in 9mm Largo were sent to Germany by Spain in 1941. The 600s were
originally destined for the German A.F., and delivery was incomplete. After the war, West Germany took delivery of the remaining contract. One possible source might have been the Division Azul, a Spanish division sent by Franco to the Eastern Front, and they were probably in possession of 400s.
DG