[Jan C Still]

1931 BERETTA, ITALIAN ROYAL NAVY

The 1931 Beretta was manufactured in 7.65 cal. from 1931 to late1934 in the approximate serial range 400000 to 408000. About 8000 were manufactured. The Italian Royal Navy ordered 3,250 Beretta’s between January 1933 and June 1934.. These are identified by the Navy R anchor M emblem embedded in both grips. There are two variations: the earlier production with a straight grip and the later production with a curved grip. There is some overlap in production. Sixteen are reported with the Italian Navy grip emblem. Seven of these have the straight grip and 9 have the curved grip.(Axis Pistols page 272 to 274; Manchini, Pietro Beretta Le Automatiche, 1994, page 166 to168, 173 to 182)

Reported serial numbers and variations (Italy = shown in Manchini’s book):
400001 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy, delivered December 9, 1931, unreported
400415 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy
400936 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy (Italy)
401218 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy (Italy)
402421 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy
402583 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy
402884 Curved Grip Mo1931 over stamped 1932, Navy (Italy)
404925 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy
406320 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy (Italy)
#10016;406556 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
406940 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
406986 Straight Grip Mo1931, Navy
407447 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
407564 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
407581 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
407624 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
#10016;407856 Curved Grip Mo1931, Navy
407969 Curved Grip Mo1931 over stamped 1934, Navy (Italy)
408394 Curved Grip Mo1934, Navy (see page 271, Axis Pistols)

The Manchini book, “Pietro Beretta Le Automatiche” is highly recommended

Below. Italian heavy cruiser. Navy personnel on ships such as this were issued Navy Beretta’s.



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Figure 1. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 406556, straight grip variation. Left side .



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Figure 2. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 406556, straight grip variation. Right side. The Royal Navy emblem is repeated in the right grip.



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Figure 3. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 406556, straight grip variation. Details of proofs on left grip tang. These are characteristic of Model 1931 Navy Berettas.



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Figure 4. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 406556, straight grip variation. Details of Italian Royal Navy emblem.



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Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator

 

[Jan C Still]

Figure 5. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 407856, curved grip variation. Left side with holster. This Beretta came in this unmarked holster.


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Figure 6. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 407856, curved grip variation. Right side with holster.



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Figure 7. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 407856, curved grip variation. Details of proofs on left grip tang. These are characteristic of Model 1931 Navy Berettas.



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Figure 8. 1931 Beretta, Italian Royal Navy, serial number 407856, curved grip variation. Details of Italian Royal Navy emblem.



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Figure 9. Back of holster showing metal clasp.



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Figure 10. Illustration from Manchini’s book showing Beretta holsters. It is credited to the Royal Academy of Infantry and Cavalry 1940-1941. The holster shown here in is B below. Does anyone know the proper holster for the Italian Navy, Army and Police.



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Figure 11. Illustration showing the March 26, 1941 attack on the cruiser York by an Italian Navy explosive motorboat (termed human torpedo) at Suda Bay, Crete. A daring attack that severely damaged the cruiser.



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Jan C Still
Site Owner - Operator

 

[aaron]

After a great deal of searching I finally managed to acquire a Model 31 naval issue rig. Mine is of the straight grip variety, bearing serial number 402421. This is certainly an elusive and hard to find Italian pistol, and the high prices usually reflect its scarcity.



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[Jan C Still]

aaron
Thanks for the photographs and information on your 1931 Navy straight grip Beretta. The table above has been updated. These are very hard to find.
Jan

 

[lugerholsterrepair]

Jan, I just today received two of these Navy Beretta pistols and one of the Italian Airforce in the second batch of pistols from the collection I bought in Houston. I will post the serials here in a day or two for your records. Jerry Burney

 

[dobk]

I'm looking at one of these that is serial # 4003XX with the straight grip. It is different from the pics I've seen in that the grips while walnut and having the RM medallion have an outline shape more like a M1923 (or rather they do not reach as high on the frame as other M1931s I've seen). Next it does not have the proofs on left grip tang. And lastly the safety button has concentric circles rather than serrations. anyone seen one like this.

 

[dobk]

I'm looking at one of these that is serial # 4003XX with the straight grip. It is different from the pics I've seen in that the grips while walnut and having the RM medallion have an outline shape more like a M1923 (or rather they do not reach as high on the frame as other M1931s I've seen). Next it does not have the proofs on left grip tang. And lastly the safety button has concentric circles rather than serrations. anyone seen one like this.