[Marschall]

Hello,
a Beretta M.34 (9mm kz.), serial no. G 609111, gives me a headache. It shows no slide legend, but the following stamps: "Crown/RE" (for Italian Army), "ivo" (on rhs. of tang) and "ML" (in a square, on rhs. of trigger guard). Does that "ML" mean that frame was made by FN in Belgium (cf. "MI" and "MR" on FN-pistols). Jan Still wrote me that some Berettas were equipped with FN-barrels, but frames ...?
Dieter H. Marschall.

 

[Olefogey]

Hi Dieter,
I don't know if this will help at all, but I'm not sure if the "ML" marking you have is the plant of manufacture or some final inspectors mark. The blank slide Model 34 I have has the same "ivu" marking on the right hand side of the tang and "SN" in a square on the right hand side of the trigger,...however on the left hand side of the frame just under the lanyard ring, there is a "BM" in a square. Therefore, there are two diff. sets of initials on the same frame, both inside a square. I also have a "CS" in a square on the magazine catch and an "AG" on the barrel lug. I am concluding these are some sort of inspectors marks or codes. If someone has a better idea, I would like to know also.

Dave

 

[Franchi]

Can you confirm the serial number as G609111? This would be very unusual as "G" prefix serials only went to # G57486.
By the marking on your pistol the serial should be G09111, could the "6" be a double stamped "G"? The "IVO" is actually "IVU" (4 U) Italian 4th Technical Control Unit. The [ML] markings etc. are the initials of Italian inspectors (last name initial first).
I don't believe any Beretta barrels were made at "FN". Some barrels were subcontracted to "FNA" Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi Brescia Italy who used a stylized FNA logo on the barrels..
David Franchi

 

[Marschall]

Hello,
there was in fact a typo: he SN is G 09111.
Thank you for the info.
Dieter.

 

[sauer]

I have a M.34, marked the same, sn. G07918, also a blank slide, which came with a green (Alpen troops) holster and spare mag.