No. 26

Q. Dear Sir, I own this pistol :

P BERETTA-CAL.9 CORTO-M" 1934-BREVET
GARDONE V.T. 1943-XX
serial number 3655AA.

It belonged to my Grandfather, who passed away several years ago. He brought it home with him from Europe after World War II. I've wondered about it's history for years.
Can you tell me anything about the gun, it's history, or it's value? (03/09/1999)

A. Models 1934 (.380 auto) and 1935 (.32 A.C.P.) are between most famous and popular models of Beretta pistols.
I think that model 1934 is the symbol of the Beretta pistols all over the world; only recently to model 1934 has been placed side by side the model 92, new current symbol of the Beretta pistols in the world.
The pistol model 1934 has been produced from 1934 until to 1991 and it is still today on the Beretta pricelist. The production total is of approximately 1.100.000 pieces. The series ....AA was produced in years 1943 - 1944 in approximately 10.000 pieces. Previously 650,000 model 1934 had been produced approximately. A lot of guns 1934, series ....AA, was sold the German Army. These weapons are recognizable from the presence of the punch "4 UT". The date written on slide (1943-XX) brings also the indication of "the Fascist era" ( XX : it is a Roman number who means 20 and wants to say 20 years from the beginning of the Fascist Government in Italy - 1923).
Model 1934 (and model 1935) was the official pistol of the Italian army during the second World War. It accompanied the Italian soldiers to Africa, Russia, Greece and in the Liberation's war.
In some cases, during the last phases of the conflict, it became the official pistol of the German Army in Italy.
Model 1934 had many fans among the soldiers of all the world and in particular among the American and English soldiers. The characteristics mainly appreciated were dimensions, weight, simplicity, reliability, cal. Many American soldiers carried, beyond to the Government model of 1911, also the Beretta model 1934. Evidently between these American soldiers there was also your Grandfather.
Today this pistol has value especially for the collectors. On the Italian market the value of this weapon is from 400,000 Lit (about 250 USD) to 900,000 Lit (about 550 USD), for pieces really in nice conditions. I think that the quotations on the American market are quite similar.


No. 37

Q. Caro Signore, Scusi, il mio Italiano e terribile. Io parlo solomente pocci paroli. Grazie tanto per il tuo risposto. Ho visto questi Punzoni del Banco di Prova sulla mia pistola:
1. 1942, sensa rettangolo.
2. Punzone "P.S.F." La scritta e sormontata da una corona.
3. Marchio del Banco di prova di Gardone Val Trompia.
Io credo che la mia pistola, Beretta Mo934, e un modello commerciale. Credo anche, che questa pistola e raro. Sono corretto? (04/13/1999)

A. Sì, tu hai interpretato correttamente quello che la tua pistola "ti dice". Infatti i punzoni che tu mi descrivi dicono chiaramente che l'arma in tuo possesso è una Pistola Beretta, modello 34, prodotta nell'anno 1942 per il mercato civile.
In quel periodo (1942) la quasi totalità della produzione della Beretta era destinata alle esigenze belliche; le armi prodotte per il mercato civile furono una minoranza.
Per questo motivo sono oggi abbastanza rare e ricercate dai collezionisti.


No. 41

Q. Hi, thanks for nice pages (though I do not understand Italian)!
I have a 1934, cal .380. It has no engraving on the woodgrip, but on the "beavertail" is a crown and the letters RN. On the other side are the letters FAC under what looks like a crown. Under the letter are a tiny mark which looks like XO. I know the gun came with german troops to north Norway during WWII - my father got hold of it shortly after the war. Do you know what these letter means? (04/15/1999)

A. Hi, thanks for your words. The text written in Italian it is the exact translation of that English (errors excepted or omissions). For this reason there is not anything on my site that you cannot read.
You tell that you have a model 1934 cal.380 that it was brought in your country by the German troops during WWII.
Keeping in mind this event, I tell you:
The wood grips should not be original: probably they are ancient but not original Beretta.
One of the punches engraved on the back part of the frame should be constituted by a crown that surmounts the characters RE (not RN). RE means: Regio Esercito (Royal Army). The crown was the symbol of the Italian monarchy.
The punch on the other side should be FAG (not FAC); also this punch is surmounted by a crown. FAG means: Fabbrica d'Armi Gardone (Factory of weapons of Gardone). This is the name and the place where the military arsenal that taken on consignment the weapons by the Beretta was. Under the characters FAG should be 40 (not XO); it means 1940, and that is the year when the weapon has been submitted to the military control.
If everything is true on the left side of the slide it should be the writings: " P.BERETTA-CAL.9 CORTO-Mo 1934-BREVETTATO " and " GARDONE V.T. 1940-XVIII". XVIII is "the Fascist era" ( XVIII : it is a Roman number who means 18 and wants to say 18 years from the beginning of the Fascist Government in Italy - 1923).
Serial Number should approximately be 850000.


No. 44

Q. Dear Sir: My Beretta Model "1934," serial number 959800, does not have the customary military markings. It is stamped on the slide with the following:
P. Beretta-Cal.9-Corto-Mo934-Brevettata
GARDONE V.T. 1942 XX
Can you please tell me:
a. The meaning of "Brevettata."
b. Why is it marked Mo934 rather than the common Mo1934?
There are no markings to indicate which branch of the armed forces this pistol was issued to. Can this be one of the rare commercial models? (04/20/1999)

A. The meaning of the word "Brevettata" is " Patented ".
I believe that there is not a particular reason for which the gun is marked Mo934 rather than Mo1934.
During the production of the model 34, from 1934 up to 1991, for a total of around 1,100,000 pieces, the variations of the slide markings are numerous. Some of these variations probably happened without a precise reason, when the new punches (rolls) were used to the place of the consumed ones.
The absence of the military punches points out that this gun is a model 34 produced in the year 1942 for the civil market. In that period (1942) the production of the Beretta was predominantly destined to the war demands; the weapons produced for the civil market were little. For this reason they are enough rare today and required by the collectors.


No. 62

Q. I acquired a "P BERETTA-CAL. 9 CORTO-M 1934 BREVET" "GARDONE V.T 1943 XX" automatic pistol that needs parts. Do you know where I can acquire them? (06/28/1999)

A. the Beretta pistol mod. 1934 cal. 9 mm short is today still on the Beretta price list (at least here in Italy). Then, at least theoretically, it should be possible to acquire parts from any Beretta retailer.
Really I believe that it is enough difficult.
You can try to ask the Beretta Usa Corporation. The address of the Beretta USA Corporation can easily be retrieved on the Website of the Beretta USA to the URL http://www.berettausa.com/ . If the Beretta Usa doesn't give a satisfactory answer to you, you can try to ask, here in Italy, to these two addresses.
Remember that here, in Italy, it is not possible to freely acquire, without the necessary permissions, the "essential parts of weapon" as the barrel, the frame or the slide.
1) .........................
2) .........................


No. 65

Q. Hello, I was in the US Air Force stationed at Aviano in 1978-1980. During this time I worked as a Security Policeman and we were frequently working with the Carabinieri and the Aeronautica Militare. This is where I first became familiar with the excellent Beretta 1934 pistol. I was disappointed to find out that I could not purchase the 9mm Corto model because it was a military caliber and that was forbidden in Italy at the time.
I am in the process now of beginning a collection of Model 1934 pistols. Any information that you can find concerning these excellent pistols would be very useful.
Am I to understand that the 1934 is being made by Beretta in Italy still? If so, I would be interested in discussing with you the possibility of obtaining parts, magazines and accessories. Are there legal issues in Italy concerning this? I would not want to get any one in trouble.
Also is there a source for the purchase of used military and Carabinieri holsters for these excellent pistols?
I saw that the M1935 pistol in 7.65mm was stamped Royal Air Force. I never saw a 7.65 model of this pistol in the hands of any of the Italian servicemen that I worked with. Was this caliber dropped? Can you provide me with any idea of when?
If there is anything that I can do for you or any information that I can provide you with, please feel free to write to me. Thanks. (07/06/1999)

A. the Beretta pistol mod. 1934 cal. 9 mm short is today still on the Beretta price list (at least here in Italy).
These are guns assembled in 1991 with spare pieces produced many years ago by Beretta in sight of military supplies and ever sold to the army (production : probably 2000 pistols). They are therefore guns assembled in 1991 but they are guns virtually produced many years ago. For this reason you should have one of these weapons in your collection.
As the Beretta pistol mod. 1934 is still on the Beretta price list, at least theoretically it should be possible to acquire the pistol and spare parts from any Beretta retailer.
Really I believe that it is enough difficult.
You can try to ask the Beretta Usa Corporation. The address of the Beretta USA Corporation can easily be retrieved on the Website of the Beretta USA to the URL http://www.berettausa.com/ . If the Beretta Usa doesn't give a satisfactory answer to you, you can try to ask, here in Italy, to these addresses.

Spare parts:
1) ....................
2) ....................

Gun:
.......................

Remember that here, in Italy, it is not possible to freely acquire, without the necessary permissions, the guns or the "essential parts of guns" as the barrel, the frame or the slide.
But, the true problem, is where the gun goes.
In other words if where you live there are no big problems for the acquisition of the weapons, then, here in Italy, everything becomes easier. It is enough that the reseller makes a permission for the "definitive export of the gun". (Naturally it is necessary to see if the reseller feels like doing this).
For the purchase of used military and Carabinieri holsters the market is more "difficulty". Here, in Italy, I would know what to do, but I think that for you, from America, is enough difficult. You can try to ask the "Gunsmith" above listed, that could look for the holsters for you.
The Beretta pistol model 35 has been set out of use around the years 1970 (I have made some searches, but nobody has known me to give a certain date). (The last military supplies of the pistol model 35 are of 1951-1952).
The Beretta model 34 is still in endowment to some Italian military departments, but the greatest part of these weapons are stored in the military arsenals and they are not used anymore.
I hope for to thoroughly have answered to all of your questions.


No. 69

Q. Could you please tell me what these markings mean?
I am looking at a Beretta marked on the safety side:
PIETRO BERETTA - GARDONE V.T. - Cal 9 Corto
PSF XXII
I assume the serial number is on the non-safety side: E67xxx. The last 4 digits are also stamped on the slide and barel.
I also see the hand grip looks different than any of the photos on your site. The symbol is of three spears crossing the symbol and it is placed at the top of the grip instead of the bottom of the grip as in your photos.
I also need more magazines for it. Any information would be helpful, thanks. (08/11/1999)

A. The gun that you are looking is a Beretta pistol model 34 cal. .380 auto.
It is one of the last pieces produced. It was produced in 1966 as says the punch " PSF XXII " (Gardone Val Trompia proofhouse)(Gardone Val Trompia is a small city next to Brescia, Italy). You have to remember however that in 1991 the Beretta produced around 2000 of these guns with spare pieces produced many years ago in sight of military supplies and ever sold to the army.
The serial number is that punched on the right side of the frame (on the non-safety side) and that is E67xxx.
It is regular that the last 4 digits are also stamped on the slide and barrel.
Also the grips are characteristic of the last production. They are exactly as you have described and in the gun it misses the lanyard ring.
As the Beretta pistol mod. 1934 is still on the Beretta price list (at least here in Italy), at least theoretically it should be possible to acquire extra magazines and spare parts from any Beretta retailer. Really I believe that it is enough difficult. You can try to ask the Beretta Usa Corporation. The address of the Beretta USA Corporation can easily be retrieved on the Website of the Beretta USA to the URL http://www.berettausa.com/ .
If the Beretta Usa doesn't give a satisfactory answer to you, you can try to ask, here in Italy, to these addresses.

1) ..........
This is an enough large company. It is specialized, between the other things, in spare parts of Beretta guns.

2) ..........
He is a very good gunsmith. He is specialized, between the other things, in Beretta guns. Also this person would have to be able to find the spare parts that interest to you.


No. 81

Q. I Have recently acquired a Beretta that my grand father brought back from World War II and I was hoping you could help me get some information regarding its history and possible manufacturer. If not, could you refer me to someone or forward this email on.
The markings on the side are as follows:
Along barrel, first line: "P. Beretta Ja_9 Cort_ Mc 1934-Brevettato"; second line: "Gardone V.T. 1940 XIX".
On the back, same side as the above markings is a crown with an RE next to it. On the other side of the handle of the proof mark (crown with an RE) is another mark. It is IVU with a circle/oval outline. Also, on the right side, along barrel and below there is that appears to be a serial number of 844377. The pistol is black, with a white grip and the initials PB on each side of the handle.
If you could help it would be greatly appreciated. (10/11/1999)

A. The gun that you have described to me is a Beretta pistol model 34 cal. 9 short (380 ACP).
The history of this weapon is written on the gun.
You write: Along barrel: P. Beretta Ja_9 Cort_ Mc 1934-Brevettato The writings are probably consumed a little bit: the writings in reality are: "P.Beretta-Cal. 9 Corto-Mo.1934-Brevettato" : then it is a pistol Pietro Beretta, caliber 9 short (380 ACP) model 1934 - Patented.
You write: Gardone V.T. 1940 XIX : the weapon has been produced to Gardone Val Trompia (Brescia, Italy) in the 1940 year, nineteenth of the Fascist Era. (XIX is a Roman number that means 19 and that is the nineteenth departed year from the year in which the regime Fascist taking the power in Italy).
You write: On the back, same side as the above markings is a crown with an RE next to it : "RE" (Regio Esercito) is the punch of military acceptance of the Royal Army. Then this gun, produced in 1940 by Beretta, it was used by the Royal Army (probably it was the official gun of an Officer of the Italian Royal Army).
You write: Other Side along barrel and below there is that appears to be a serial number of 844377. Yes, that is the serial number of the weapon. Last 4 digits should be also punch on the clog of the barrel.
You write: on the other side of the handle of the proof mark (crown with RE) is another mark. It is IVU circle with / oval outline : this punch means "fourth technical bureau" (IVU = IV U = IV is a Roman number that means 4 and " U " (Ufficio) it is for bureau) and it was the office preceded to the control of the weapons assigned to the soldiers.
You write: The pistol is black, with a white grip and the initials PB on each side of the handle. This is a strange thing as the grips, for a weapon with these characteristics and of that period, they are always black (with a metallic support on the inside part). Therefore, if the grips are white, probably they are non original grips.

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