Beretta 38A

[ChrisCook]

Interested in info and pictures on the use of the Beretta 38a by German troops during the war? I assume they are fairly prevalent on the Italian theatre and possibly in the African theatre? What about other uses of the Beretta by German troops? Thanks, Chris...

[TopGuns]

Beretta M34

I have a Beretta M34, that I bought this summer for my collection.

The local story surrounding this gun is exciting. It belonged to the first German Gestapo Commander of the city of Aalborg in occupied Denmark, Obersturmführer Behrend, who was appointed in october of '43. The M34 was his personal sidearm.

Apparently this high ranking officer was fond of the company of young Danish girls, and had at one time a date with a local young lady. Sometime during their date, she stole his pistol and the loaded magazine. She gave the pistol to her brother who was fighting in the resistance for him to use fighting the Germans.

Unfortunately the theft was discovered. I don’t know the faith of the young lady, but the brother had to flee to an other city, where he continued his work in the local resistance carrying the Beretta M34.

Following the war he registered the pistol, and by his recent death his son took possesion of it, selling it to me.

I will post some pictures of the gun, so you can see it. It's a really nice looking gun in good condition, and it shoots well.

It is the story though, that facinates me about this particular gun !

Kind regards

Kris

[Johnnie]

Facinating story, and a great aquisition on your part. I look forward to seeing the pics, but I think he is talking about the Beretta M38a submachine gun, as you are describing the Beretta M34 pistol.

Best regards,
Johnnie

I have a Beretta M34, that I bought this summer for my collection.

The local story surrounding this gun is exciting. It belonged to the first German Gestapo Commander of the city of Aalborg in occupied Denmark, Obersturmführer Behrend, who was appointed in october of '43. The M34 was his personal sidearm.

Apparently this high ranking officer was fond of the company of young Danish girls, and had at one time a date with a local young lady. Sometime during their date, she stole his pistol and the loaded magazine. She gave the pistol to her brother who was fighting in the resistance for him to use fighting the Germans.

Unfortunately the theft was discovered. I don’t know the faith of the young lady, but the brother had to flee to an other city, where he continued his work in the local resistance carrying the Beretta M34.

Following the war he registered the pistol, and by his recent death his son took possesion of it, selling it to me.

I will post some pictures of the gun, so you can see it. It's a really nice looking gun in good condition, and it shoots well.

It is the story though, that facinates me about this particular gun !

Kind regards

Kris

[Bill Grist]

Chris, There are some great picts of Germans paras. with Beretta Sub Guns in use during the raid on the hotel at Gran Sasso to rescuse Mussolini.. The most interesting picts. are the ground group capturing the gondola lift station.. Where many are armed with the Beretta M38A.. This story and many picts, is in the great British quarterly magazine AFTER THE BATTLE...BILL