[taudelt]

One of the many things in life I know very little about. Bought it just because it was in such super condition. Sure would appreciate an education.

Download Attachment: MVC-038S.JPG
40.94KB

Download Attachment: MVC-039S.JPG
36.66KB

Download Attachment: MVC-040S.JPG
39.82KB

Download Attachment: MVC-041S.JPG
34.43KB

Download Attachment: MVC-042S.JPG
28.98KB

Download Attachment: MVC-043S.JPG
35.11KB

 

[Olefogey]

Hi Dave,
What would you like to know about your 1934 Beretta? All I can tell you without full pictures is that it was made in 1943 and the little MA in the square on the front of the trigger guard is just an inspectors mark. If I remember correctly, it is possible that there is another of these marks next to the lanyard ring or on the butt. The crown over ? is not a marking I am familiar with and isn't in any of my books. This pistol was Italian issue to the best of my knowledge, but I'm sure there is someone on the forum who will expound a little more!!
Dave

 

[taudelt]

Dave.... Thanks for the reply and the info. I looked thru AXIS PISTOLS and couldn't find the crown mark either. Not sure that I understand how the serial numbering works on these as well. The gun is probably 98% and I guess I plan on finding it a new home but would like to know where it went before I sent it along.......

 

[Ron Smith]

Dave,
For some reason the Crown mark makes me think Czech or Bulgarian. I can't recall where I read that some were shipped under contract to an Eastern European country.
Ron

 

[taudelt]

Ron...... Now that would be fun. Hope you remember where you read it. Got messing around with it some more and pulled out the barrel.

Download Attachment: MVC-044S.JPG
37.15KB

Does the fact it only has the serial number without the prefix mean anything???

Some pictures of the holster that it came in and the lanyard that was attached. Don't know anything about these either and could not figure out the holster at all. Do you all get the idea that I have no clue about this nice gun???

Download Attachment: MVC-045S.JPG
35.01KB

Download Attachment: MVC-046S.JPG
38.93KB

Download Attachment: MVC-047S.JPG
29.75KB

Download Attachment: MVC-048S.JPG
16.96KB

The lanyard is about 35 inches long.

Appreciate any ideas or thoughts or WAG.

 

[Olefogey]

Dave,

There is no prefix on the barrel serial number. I have a "G" prefix blank slide RSI 1934, but it has the Crown/RE (Reggio Escercito) The Army acceptance mark. There is a Crown over ? in Axis Pistols on page 112 (top right hand pistol) and on page 113, blank slide (top right hand pistol also). The marks are very small but seem to be something like yours. That holster appears to be pigskin. I have one exactly like it, but someone cut off the very bottom squarely. Mine contained a late war phosphate CZ 27.

Dave

 

[Dgiz]

Dave,
The Crown mark on your pistol is the Brescia proof. According to books, even though the proof house had ceased activities in 1930 the mark was used until the end of the war. Even without military markings, almost all pistols were routed to the military, either the Germans or Italians. The Italians surrendered in Sept of 1943 and a faction started the RSI (pro German) army. Pistols made after the change in Government will at first be blank and then the legend shows back up without the Fascist dates. If you look in Menchini and Pierluigi's Pietro Beretta Automatic Pistols book, there is one like yours on page 272. The serial is G53328 and was delivered to the Germans in April of 1944. Assembled from 43 parts and shipped in 44.
On a side note, this is a great book on Beretta Pistols.
Dean

 

[taudelt]

Dean......BINGO......... Many thanks for filling in the blanks..... I think this is a great example of what this forum is all about.