No. 23

Q. Do you have a picture of the 948 model .22mm? If you do, I would really appreciate it if you could email it to me. I need it for some research I'm doing. (01/28/1999)

A. Here enclosed some pictures of Beretta mod 948 cal. 22 L.R. I hope that the images are useful to you.

Remarks:

948 - first gun :
Manufacturing year : 1955
Serial number : 054899N
Slide marking (left side) : P.BERETTA-Gardone V.T.-Cal.22L.R.-Mod.948
Slide marking (right side) : MADE IN ITALY
Barrel : two original barrels, long barrel (150 mm) and short barrel (85 mm)
Proofmarks : left side of the frame
Grips : second type
Front of the slide : opened around the barrel
Front sight : on the barrel.

948 - second gun :
Manufacturing year : 1952
Serial number : 026322N
Slide marking (left side) : P.BERETTA-Gardone V.T.-CAL.22L.R. (first line)
MOD.948 (second line)
Slide marking (right side) : MADE IN ITALY
Barrel : short barrel (85 mm)
Proofmarks : left side of the frame
Grips : first type
Front of the slide : close around the barrel
Front sight : on the slide.

948 - third gun :
Manufacturing year : 1954
Serial number : 051299N
Slide marking (left side) : P.BERETTA-Gardone V.T.-Cal.22L.R.-Mod.948
Slide marking (right side) : MADE IN ITALY
Barrel : short barrel (85 mm)
Proofmarks : left side of the frame
Grips : first type
Front of the slide : opened around the barrel
Front sight : on the barrel.


No. 61

Q. I need a brake down of the mod.948 22lr because I need to see if I can get or order the parts that I need. Thank you. (06/27/1999)

A. I have not succeeded in finding on the dictionary the word " brake down ".
I think that you intend a picture in which the whole parts of the mod. 948 is brought.
If I have understood well, then, despite my efforts, I have not succeeded in finding a picture of the mod. 948. I have only succeeded in finding a picture of the model 34 - 35. These guns are quite similar to the model 948 (I think that there are really few differences: it probably differs the firing pin, the extractor and few other parts)(obviously they also differ barrel, slide, magazine). I hope that you can use the picture that I send to you for your demands.


No. 68

Q. My dad gave me a pistol mod 948 cal 22lr. It works great. I couldnt find any info in any books on it. Can you give me any history on this great little gun? Thanks. (07/02/1999)

A. The Beretta pistol mod. 948 is the first attempt of the Beretta to build a weapon for the sporting shot. This gun is also the first gun of the Beretta to use a rimfire ammunition (22 L.R.).
It was produced in the first half the years 50 (from 1950 to 1957 around).
This gun directly derives from the models 34 and 35 and is quite similar to these models. The slide partially appears redrawn in comparison to that of the models 34 and 35 and it is a prototype of that that will be the slide of the Beretta pistol series (model) 70.
The anterior part of the slide can be closed around the barrel (in this case it brings the front sight), or it can be opened (in this case the front sight is directly joined to the barrel).
The frame is in light metal.
The barrel can be short (85 mm long) or long (150 mm long). In this last case the anterior part of the slide is always opened around the barrel to allow the disassembly of the weapon.
It can be considered that from this weapon derive the following model 949 (olimpionic type), a weapon this really fit to the sporting competitions.
You can consult my web site, to see some pictures and to know some other informations.


No. 80

Q. Purchased beretta 948 for 200.00 made in 1955 Italy. Is great little gun in 22 lr.
Can you send any more info on this gun.I have been offered 600.00 for it. I dont think I will sell any time soon.Any more information would be appreciated. Are there a lot of these guns still around. (10/05/1999)

A. In FAQ page of my website there are many information related to the Beretta pistol model 1948. However I list here following the most meaningful information. You can also look at Pictures page for some images. You have bought a good gun and the price is OK.

The Beretta pistol mod. 948 is the first attempt of the Beretta to build a weapon for the sporting shot. This gun is also the first gun of the Beretta to use a rimfire ammunition (22 L.R.).
It was produced in the first half the years 50 (from 1950 to 1957 around). This gun directly derives from the models 34 and 35 and is quite similar to these models. The slide partially appears redrawn in comparison to that of the models 34 and 35 and it is a prototype of that that will be the slide of the Beretta pistol series (model) 70. The anterior part of the slide can be closed around the barrel (in this case it brings the front sight), or it can be opened (in this case the front sight is directly joined to the barrel).
The frame is in light metal.
The barrel can be short (85 mm long) or long (150 mm long). In this last case the anterior part of the slide is always opened around the barrel to allow the disassembly of the weapon. It can be considered that from this weapon derive the following model 949 (olimpionic type), a weapon this really fit to the sporting competitions.


No. 82

Q. Hi, I have a Beretta mod. 948 which has a beautiful silver engraved finish with tortoise shell grips with silver Beretta medallions. The gun is in .22 cal and serial no. 94562N, it is complete with a red letherette beretta case , extra magazine and cleaning brush.
Serial Number is not in the range of numbers indicated on your website, also it has the usual PSF proofs and a roman numeral XVII stamped over the year 1958, which seems unusual?
Can you tell me if this is a rare variation of the mod 948, and if you know how many of these engraved 948 were produced? Also I am intrested in knowing what the value of this gun is? Ciao e grazie. (10/25/1999)

A. Guns with special finishes (gilded, silvered, nickeled, engraved) are present among all the models of the Beretta guns exception, probably, of the patent 1915, of the model 1917 and of the model 1922 (the first three models produced by Beretta).
In other words guns with special finishes are present in the whole Beretta production beginning from 1923 until today.
For this reason it is "normal" that there are items with engraved finish also for the model 948.
Obviously a Beretta with engraved finish is always and however a piece of big merit and a item looked for by the collectors.
The serial numbers in my website are only an example.
The serial number of your gun tells that it is one of the last model 1948 produced.
As it regards the year of production, there is a some doubt: in fact the number 1958 would point out how year of production 1958; contrarily the Roman numeral XVII would point out as year of production 1961. The frame was probably punched a first time in 1958 and then it was punched again when the gun really went out of the factory in 1961 (in fact you say: "a roman numeral XVII stamped over the year 1958").
You ask how much of these 1948 engraved was produced. I don't know it, but I think that they were produced few exemplary, perhaps an hundred.
You ask what the value of this weapon is. If the weapon is really under perfect conditions and if the weapon is complete of accessories (you say: "it is complete with a red letherette Beretta case , extra magazine and cleaning brush ") the value of this weapon is from $850 to $1000 (here in Italy, but I think that in USA the prices are enough similar).

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