No. 17

Q. I am interested in Beretta patent 1919 model 418 cal .25 and model 20 cal .25 Please can you send me specifications and a scan of what they look like?
You seem to be very expert on Beretta. Are you a dealer, a collector or a shop owner for Beretta? (01/02/1999)

A. You ask me the specifications for the patent 1919 model 418 and model 20 pistols. Moreover, if I have understood, you ask me which features of the two pistols are equal and which features ones differ.
Well. These two models have equal only the caliber !

The Beretta pistol patent 1919, is a single-action, semi-automatic, blowbackaction pistol cal. 6.35 Browning (.25 ACP). The firing system is constituted from a flying firing pin. The barrel is 60 mm long, 8 round magazine, grip-safety. The weight of the arm with empty magazine is about 350 g.
There are many models of this gun. The first model has been constructed in 1920. The last model (418) has been produced until 1961 and sold until to 1965.
Patent 1919 model 418 was constructed from year 1937 to year 1961.
The main difference from the previous model is the presence of the warning of cocked firing pin. The warning of cocked firing pin is realized through the posterior part of the firing pin that go out from the posterior part of the slide. In this model the exemplary with the frame in alloy are frequent. In the last pistols the slide serrations are inclined and the grip-safety is of synthetic material; the grips have a different shape: the metallic plate is missing and they are entire of synthetic material In this model are present guns with special finishes (engraved, gold plated, silver plated).

The Beretta pistol model 20, caliber 6.35 Browning (.25 ACP), is a double-action, semi-automatic, blowbackaction pistol, with external hammer. One of the main features is a tip-up barrel for quick, direct chamber loading and unloading, without working the slide. The barrel is 61 mm long, 8 round magazine, hammer-safety. The weight of the arm with empty magazine is about 325 g.
The first version of this pistol has been constructed in 1960 years.
The last version (21A - Bobcat) is still produced in the States, by Beretta USA Corporation.
Also in this model are present guns with special finishes.

For what it regards me, I am only a fan of the Beretta guns. To study the Beretta guns is mine hobby.


No. 18

Q. Dear friend, I was wondering of a P Beretta cal 6.35 Gardone is a collectible gun. and it is a 25 automatic from 1955 made in Italy., and if you can give me a price on it, it is like bran new and is in very good shape. thankyou. (01/02/1999)

A. For being able to say the price of a Beretta pistol, more information would be necessary. It would be necessary to know the model.
Since the caliber of the gun is 6.35 and the manufacturing year is 1955, would have to be a pistol:
- patent 1919, model 418
- patent 950 (model 950).
Model 950 is recognizable for the drop barrel.
The written " GARDONE " and the lack of the model would make to think to model 418.
If the gun is a model 418, if it is really in very good shape, its price would have to be approximately 150 or 200 USD (in Italy).


No. 21

Q. Dear Person, I was wondering if model 418 was a collectible or not. Also for the model 418 I was wondering if you had any clips for this gun, and if so can you please tell me the price of two of them. And if not would you please recommend a place that would carry a clip for this gun. Thankyou. (01/11/1999)

A. The Beretta pistol model 418 is collectible or not? This only depends on the laws of the Country where you live. I do not know where you live. I think that you live in the States, but also in this case I do not know the law of your Country well and I cannot give you such information.
I can only say to you that I visited the website of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. In such website there is a list of the curious or relics firearms. In this list there is not the Beretta model 418, very probably why produced after second World War. There are instead the older 6.35 pistols , for instance :" Beretta, model 1919 pistol (without grip safety), caliber 6.35mm.".
I have not understood well that what you mean with the word " clips ". I think that you want to say "extra magazines ". In this case I think that you must search such pieces on the second hand market. Price? In Italy about 20 USD each one.


No. 63

Q. You have a wonderful website.
I have been trying to do some research on the .25 calibre Beretta made in the early to late 1950's but cannot find much data. Would you be able to help me out with my questions.
What is the overall slide length?
What is the slide width?
What is the thickness of the frame?
What is the thickness of the handgrips?
Your pictures on the web site are very good. But with early Beretta pistols it is very hard to find pictures of both sides of the gun. What does this 418 model pistol look like from the right hand side, ie where the cartridge ejector is? Are you able to email me a picture? Does this pistol eject the cartridges like a Colt 1911 style automatic? For example, pull the slide back to eject cartridge and reload new one. Or does the slide action work like the .25 Jetfire with tip up barrel? what kind of hammer does this pistol have - is it just a pin type?
I would sincerely value your help. (07/01/1999)

A. I believe that when you say "the .25 calibre Beretta made in the early to late 1950's" you think about the Beretta gun mod. 418 (cal. .25 ACP - 6,35 mm Browning).
You have to remember however that in the years 1950 there was also the Beretta gun cal .25 "Patent 950" (this gun is the "JETFIRE" today). You have to also remember that the pistol mod. 418 is the last of a series of guns cal .25 denominated "patent 1919".
I think that you have to read with a lot of attention the section FAQ of my website, to the items: "Patent 1919 cal. 25 ACP", "Model 318 cal. 25 ACP", "Model 418 cal. 25 ACP", "Model 950 cal. 25 ACP".
However now I respond to the questions that you have done me.
Model 418 is a single-action, semi-automatic, blowbackaction pistol, 8 round magazine, grip-safety. The firing system is constituted from a flying firing pin. Here following some informations related to the gun mod. 418

- slide length : 114 mm (4.5 in)
- slide width : 18 mm (.71 in)
- slide thickness : 3.5 mm (0.14 in)
- frame length : 107 mm (4.2 in)
- frame width : 13 mm (.51 in)
- frame thickness : 1.9 mm (.075 in)
- barrel length : 60 mm (2.4 in)
- handgrips thickness : 5 mm (.20 in) at the bottom, 4 mm (.16 in) at the top
- overall pistol length : 117 mm (4.6 in)
- overall pistol width : 23 mm (0.9 in)
- overall pistol height : 87 mm (3.4 in)

The right side of the pistol is quite similar to the left side. The extractor is set on the superior part of the slide. To use your words this pistol eject the cartridges like a Colt 1911 (and not as a .25 JETFIRE).


No. 78

Q. Is is possible for a "last type" model 418 in .25 cal (1958) to have a gold-tone alloy frame (i.e.;1947 model 418)? The grips are 1958 and the lines above are diagonal, yet the lower frame is gold-tone alloy. Were there transition models in 1958 that used the old alloy frame? The trigger is also gold (gold plated?) but bright gold. Thanks for your help with this curious issue.
Also, from reading your faq. page, it appears that the model 418 does not have the tip-up barrel. I have a serial # 23728C. It seems to be a mix of the 1947 gold-tone frame and the 1958 three rings - Beretta grip and diagonal lines above grip versions rather than the 1947 P.B. grips and vertical lines. Were there conversion models of this .25? Thanks. (09/28/1999)

A. There are many models of this pistol. The first model has been constructed in 1920. The last model has been produced until 1961, therefore for more than 40 years. During this period there were almost continuous changes.
Guns with alloy frame had been built since 1937 at the end of the production, independently from the model.
The pistol of last type almost all have the frame in alloy (dark - anodized). It is possible that a "last type model 418" have a gold-tone alloy frame.
The Serial Number 23728C, punched on the frame, says without doubt that it is a gun gone out of Beretta factory in the years 1957-1958.
It is also possible that the Beretta has used a frame of old production joined with new slide and grips.
You have to look the grip-safety. If the grip-safety is rounded, then it is a frame built before 1950-1951. If the grip-safety in the upper part is sharpened, then it is a frame of last type. (you look in my website the images "model 418 alloys frame" and "model 418 last type").
The pistol model 418 makes part of a series of guns named "patent 1919". The Beretta pistol patent 1919, is a single-action, semi-automatic, blowbackaction pistol cal. 6.35 Browning (.25 ACP). The firing system is constituted from a flying firing pin. The barrel is 60 mm long, 8 round magazine, grip-safety. The weight of the arm with empty magazine is about 350 g.
The barrel is not of tip-up barrel type; the barrel is hooked on the frame through horizontal millings on the lug fitted under the firing chamber, as for the model 1922 and the most known models (19)34 and (19)35. In these guns the barrel is that part that completes the assemblage and the closing of the weapon.
The first Beretta pistol with a tip-up barrel has been the pistol "patent 1950" (cal. 22 short/25 A.C.P.), built around 1950.

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Q. Thanks for your recent response to my question. My father owns the pistol in question and was delighted to tell me: HIS MODEL 418 DOES HAVE A TIP-UP BARREL! Can you believe it? He must have a bizarre parts-gun or they were having a slow day at the factory and decided to have some fun. BTW, the grip-safety is the non-round newer type. Thanks again for the fun your comments gave us.

A. Congratulations to your father for this pistol!
It would be very very very interesting to have a photo of this gun. My friends and I, have seen never a gun of this kind. If yours father and you agree, and if you send a good photo of the right side and a good photo of the left side to me, I will be pleased to publish such photos on my website.

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