Help with a Beretta 38/42

[Alan Smith]

Another view of barrel markings re: MP38/43 #4331

[Alan Smith]

Receiver markings re: MP38/43 #4331

[Alan Smith]

Markings on stock of MP38/43 #4331.

I previously reported (above) that the stock is serial numbered to the gun; such is incorrect. The stock is not serial numbered and is unmarked (except for the markings show in this photograph). The vet told me that the stock "is a bit rough" and that he had intended "to sand it down and put some varnish on it" to make it look better, but just never got around to doing so. I'm happy with the stock as-is in its original factory configuration.

[Alan Smith]

Very small markings found on stock of MP38/43 #4331.

[kanister]

Receiver markings re: MP38/43 #4331

The classifications 38/41, 38/42, 38/43,.... are done by the collectors, but for the Beretta they are all 38/42 or also Mod. 2.
Your smg was produced on 1944 (4UT 44) for the German Army: you can read MP 38/42 that stand for Maschinen Pistole 38/42.
For the Italian Army the writing was Moschetto Aut. Beretta....

[Alan Smith]

Thanks for the additional information, Kanister. I Did not realize that the receiver model designation markings were different on the guns produced for the German army vs. guns produced for the Italian army. Thank you very much for pointing out this distinction.


Particularly in that #4331 was produced for the Germans, any ideas why it has the "Cal 9mm" marking? In German, should it not be "Kal 9mm"?

[kanister]

.... any ideas why it has the "Cal 9mm" marking? In German, should it not be "Kal 9mm"?

No idea.... but perhaps they had not the letter K that in Italian language of those times did not exist.