Beretta M1934 Army (#509724, dated 1936)

[Alan Smith]

Here is a Beretta M1934 Army that I picked up at a local gunshow last weekend; I just now found time to snap a few photos. I was pleased to find it mixed in with all of the modern arms at the show. Not much history with it: the seller indicated that he bought "about 20" pistols "from an old guy who was selling out his collection"; the M1934 Beretta was in the mix.

As far as I can tell, it is a fairly decent example of the standard WWII Italian Army pistol (may of which ended up back here in the U.S., being brought back as souvenirs from WWII).

Any thoughts/observations you may have are appreciated.

[Alan Smith]

Other side w/ SN's

[Alan Smith]

Slide markings.

[Alan Smith]

Italian Army "RE" marking.

[RGD51]

A wonderful pistol! Great shooter, balanced and compact. My Dad was in 10th Mtn. dv. in Italy during WWII and came back with one in its Army holster. Wish he hadn't sold it. Congrats on your find.

Robt.

[Ronnie Fry]

Nice example Alan. Don''t know why you don't see these very often..
Keeper for sure!!

[mufasa]

Beretta 34 of early production in fantastic conditions! very nice!

[Kris]

Great Beretta

[DECIMA]

BELLISSIMA!!!

[kanister]

Beretta 1934 was accepted by the RE (Royal Army) only on 1936 and serial started with 500.000, so your gun is one of the first issued.

[Alan Smith]

Thanks for the nice comments and information; I had no idea that this example was such an early production piece for the Italian army.

Can anyone post a photo of what would be a correct Italian army issue holster for this pistol? I would like to locate a holster to go with the gun, but at this point I don't know what the correct holster looks like.

[DECIMA]

there are only three types of leather holsters for beretta 34: green for Soldiers, brown for Officers, black for Carabinieri (Military Police)

[Ingsoc75]

Nice find!

I have a M1935 one that is dated 1941 with an Italian Air Force marking.

My grandfather brought it back while serving as a P-38 pilot in Italy.

[Peter C]

This would be the box of ammo for it.

[kanister]

These are for the Model 1934, 9corto or .380, but the gun we are dealing now is a model 1935, 7,65 or .32.
P.B. 1943 stand for "Pirotecnico Bologna 1943"