BERETTA WW2 - The Firearms Forum

SPHYNX182 · 12-06-2005, 11:46 AM

MY AUNT JUST GAVE ME A NEW PISTOL THAT MY UNCLE JACK HAD "ACQUIRED" OFF OF AN ITALIAN CAPTAIN DURING THE SECOND WAR.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CALIBER IT IS, BUT I DID WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING ON THE PISTOL. THE PISTOL IS ALL METAL, INCLUDING METAL GRIPS. IT IS SIX INCHES LONG WHEN CLOSED, AND 4.5 INCHES TALL. HAS A WORKING SAFETY WITH S WHEN LEVER IS IN SAFE POSITION AND F IN FIRE POSITION. ON THE ONE SIDE IS STAMPED PISTOLA AUT BERETTA, 765 FROM WHAT I CAN TELL AND THE WORD BREV. OR PREV. AND ALSO FOLLOWING WITH THE NUMBERS 1915 SPACE 1945 OR 1915, IT WAS HARD TO MAKE OUT. ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THE PISTOL IS MATCHING SERIAL NUMBERS POSTED ON THE RECIEVER AND A GRIP, THE NUMBER IS 230024. IT HAS THE MARKING OF PB IN CAPITAL LETTERS IN A CIRCLE ON THE GRIP. COMES WITH ORIGINAL HOLSTER AND MAGAZINE. THE MAGAZINE IS RELEASED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GRIP. THE ONLY OTHER THING I FOUND TO BE UNIQUE WAS THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL HAMMER. THE HAMMER IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE PISTOL. IT IS A SEMI AUTO. ANY INFO I COULD GET ON THIS GUN WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANKS,
REX

Xracer · 12-06-2005, 03:26 PM

Hi Sphynx.....welcome to TFF.

OK, your pistol is a Beretta Model 1915 or Model 1915/1919.....they're slightly different inside, otherwise they're identical. They were standard Italian Military Issue during both WWI and WWII.

The "PB" on the grip stands for Pietro Beretta, the manufacturer.

The caliber is 7.65mm....the same as .32 Auto or .32 ACP, and ammunition is available for it at almost any gunshop.

The Model 1915 was manufactured from 1915 to 1922 and about 65,000 were made.

The Model 1915/1919 was made from 1922 to 1931 and about 50,000 were made.

The value, according to the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms is:

Exc. - $350
V.G. - $300
Good - $225
Fair - $150

peterbonovich · 11-23-2010, 02:28 PM

I too have inherited a Pistola Beretta.
The left side of the slide is engraved with the following:
PISTOLA AUT-BERETTA 765 BREV-1915-1919-
There is a small symbol of a crown over a lion in a circle a few millimeters to the right of the engraving.
It contains matching serial number, 204376.
It came with the holster and one clip.

Three questions:
1) With this serial number, how old is this pistol likely to be?
2) From what I've read it will fire .32 Aut or .32 ACP ammunition. Is this correct?
3) Though I know that the condition will play a roll, what is a range of values that this might be worth?

Peter

Jim Hauff · 11-23-2010, 09:08 PM

Peter,
All the info you seek can be found directly above your posting. Info was provided by Xracer.

peterbonovich · 11-24-2010, 03:01 PM

Thanks, I noticed the previous entry right after I hit enter.
Here's a new question though. How hard is it to date this pistol based on the serial number? I see that it's quite a bit lower than others of the same make and model.
Peter

wonderwhippet · 11-25-2010, 06:35 PM

Actually, Beretta is one of the few companies that keep accurate records on all their firearms. If you contact them and give them the serial number and model, they can usually come up with the date of manufacture.

hunt · 01-31-2011, 11:03 AM

hi all
i as well have one of these little .32's
however it has this marking
can anyone tell me what it is?

thanks in advance

Jim K · 01-31-2011, 11:16 AM

Hunt, your pistol is the same as that described and discussed above. The "RM" stands for Regia Marina, or (Italian) Royal Navy. The "F" is not part of that mark; it is the "Fire" (Fuoco) marking for the safety.

Jim

hunt · 01-31-2011, 02:55 PM

thanks jim k
i knew it was the same as the detailed reply above just had not seen the RM indication
i had thought it was navy concidering the anchor in the emblem just wanted to make sure

the F i knew was the fire position of the safty
the only other thing i've seen is NO mfg date as seen on the other's
although it most likely is just worn off
thanks again

keith26 · 01-18-2012, 02:19 AM

dear sir i as the man before me have acquires from my grand parents a beretta pistol and on it has written these . pistola aut beretta 1934 6.35 brev 1919 . the problem that i ahve is that i dont have any amunition and i want to buy some amunition but i want to be exactly what i have to buy because i dont wantto fire it and get hurt many thanks keith

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xracer

Hi Sphynx.....welcome to TFF.

OK, your pistol is a Beretta Model 1915 or Model 1915/1919.....they're slightly different inside, otherwise they're identical. They were standard Italian Military Issue during both WWI and WWII.

The "PB" on the grip stands for Pietro Beretta, the manufacturer.

The caliber is 7.65mm....the same as .32 Auto or .32 ACP, and ammunition is available for it at almost any gunshop.

The Model 1915 was manufactured from 1915 to 1922 and about 65,000 were made.

The Model 1915/1919 was made from 1922 to 1931 and about 50,000 were made.

The value, according to the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms is:

Exc. - $350
V.G. - $300
Good - $225
Fair - $150

jack404 · 01-18-2012, 02:44 AM

G'day and welcome Keith26 !

6.35mm ammo for the baretta is .25 cal ACP and this ammo is available in many loads and from many makers

but if i may suggest do not buy Plus P or +P ammo as this load is for more modern pistols and metals

greetings to you in Malta From Australia

here is a contact for you in Italy ( who cover Malta )

CHEDDITE S.R.I.

Via del Giaggiolo 189
57124 Livorno
Phone: + 39 0586 85 4295
Fax: +39 0586 85 4393
E-mail: cheddite@tin.it

keith26 · 01-18-2012, 04:30 AM

hi sir many thanks for your help and promt reply i even has on it a crown marked and with the words psf [what they mean ] so you suggest normal .25cal ! here i had a talk with a friend of mine and he told me that you can shoot .22 short cal but i think they are not good if you told me that mine takes .25 many thanks keith chetcuti from malta .

jack404 · 01-18-2012, 04:33 AM

.22 short is dangerous in .25 , its loose enough to spin and jam in the barrel ..

NEVER use ammo thats is not meant for your gun.. its a very fast way to have accidents

enjoy your shooting

StoneChimney · 01-18-2012, 06:47 AM

.22 Short should not even stay in the magazine of that pistol and if it were to be single-loaded into the chamber it would be a fluke if it somehow fired.

Use 6.35mm Browning / .25ACP ammunition.

keith26 · 01-18-2012, 09:22 AM

thanks a lot guys for your promt reply and very use ful now i will go to local shops and buy and then how the shooting went many thanks .

Jla17 · 12-02-2012, 11:51 PM

I also inherited a PISTOLA AUT-BERETTA 765 BREV 1915 1919 but it is missing the original grip has been replaced. I'm looking to get an original one if I could but can't seem to find one. This one is also nickel plated, I haven't seen any other ones that are while I've been searching. I'm wondering if anyone can help with any information about it.

Jim K · 12-03-2012, 08:17 AM

Try www.gunpartscorp.com or www.gungrip.com

Jim

12-06-2005, 11:46 AM	#1
SPHYNX182 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2	BERETTA WW2 MY AUNT JUST GAVE ME A NEW PISTOL THAT MY UNCLE JACK HAD "ACQUIRED" OFF OF AN ITALIAN CAPTAIN DURING THE SECOND WAR. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CALIBER IT IS, BUT I DID WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING ON THE PISTOL. THE PISTOL IS ALL METAL, INCLUDING METAL GRIPS. IT IS SIX INCHES LONG WHEN CLOSED, AND 4.5 INCHES TALL. HAS A WORKING SAFETY WITH S WHEN LEVER IS IN SAFE POSITION AND F IN FIRE POSITION. ON THE ONE SIDE IS STAMPED PISTOLA AUT BERETTA, 765 FROM WHAT I CAN TELL AND THE WORD BREV. OR PREV. AND ALSO FOLLOWING WITH THE NUMBERS 1915 SPACE 1945 OR 1915, IT WAS HARD TO MAKE OUT. ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THE PISTOL IS MATCHING SERIAL NUMBERS POSTED ON THE RECIEVER AND A GRIP, THE NUMBER IS 230024. IT HAS THE MARKING OF PB IN CAPITAL LETTERS IN A CIRCLE ON THE GRIP. COMES WITH ORIGINAL HOLSTER AND MAGAZINE. THE MAGAZINE IS RELEASED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GRIP. THE ONLY OTHER THING I FOUND TO BE UNIQUE WAS THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL HAMMER. THE HAMMER IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE PISTOL. IT IS A SEMI AUTO. ANY INFO I COULD GET ON THIS GUN WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS, REX -->

12-06-2005, 03:26 PM	#2
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: BERETTA WW2 Hi Sphynx.....welcome to TFF. OK, your pistol is a Beretta Model 1915 or Model 1915/1919.....they're slightly different inside, otherwise they're identical. They were standard Italian Military Issue during both WWI and WWII. The "PB" on the grip stands for Pietro Beretta, the manufacturer. The caliber is 7.65mm....the same as .32 Auto or .32 ACP, and ammunition is available for it at almost any gunshop. The Model 1915 was manufactured from 1915 to 1922 and about 65,000 were made. The Model 1915/1919 was made from 1922 to 1931 and about 50,000 were made. The value, according to the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms is: Exc. - $350 V.G. - $300 Good - $225 Fair - $150

11-23-2010, 02:28 PM	#3
peterbonovich Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2	Re: BERETTA WW2 I too have inherited a Pistola Beretta. The left side of the slide is engraved with the following: PISTOLA AUT-BERETTA 765 BREV-1915-1919- There is a small symbol of a crown over a lion in a circle a few millimeters to the right of the engraving. It contains matching serial number, 204376. It came with the holster and one clip. Three questions: 1) With this serial number, how old is this pistol likely to be? 2) From what I've read it will fire .32 Aut or .32 ACP ammunition. Is this correct? 3) Though I know that the condition will play a roll, what is a range of values that this might be worth? Peter

11-23-2010, 09:08 PM	#4
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: BERETTA WW2 Peter, All the info you seek can be found directly above your posting. Info was provided by Xracer. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

11-24-2010, 03:01 PM	#5
peterbonovich Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2	Re: BERETTA WW2 Thanks, I noticed the previous entry right after I hit enter. Here's a new question though. How hard is it to date this pistol based on the serial number? I see that it's quite a bit lower than others of the same make and model. Peter

11-25-2010, 06:35 PM	#6
wonderwhippet Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,599	Re: BERETTA WW2 Actually, Beretta is one of the few companies that keep accurate records on all their firearms. If you contact them and give them the serial number and model, they can usually come up with the date of manufacture.

01-31-2011, 11:03 AM	#7
hunt Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 4	Re: BERETTA WW2 hi all i as well have one of these little .32's however it has this marking can anyone tell me what it is? thanks in advance Attached Images

01-31-2011, 11:16 AM	#8
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: BERETTA WW2 Hunt, your pistol is the same as that described and discussed above. The "RM" stands for Regia Marina, or (Italian) Royal Navy. The "F" is not part of that mark; it is the "Fire" (Fuoco) marking for the safety. Jim

01-31-2011, 02:55 PM	#9
hunt Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 4	Re: BERETTA WW2 thanks jim k i knew it was the same as the detailed reply above just had not seen the RM indication i had thought it was navy concidering the anchor in the emblem just wanted to make sure the F i knew was the fire position of the safty the only other thing i've seen is NO mfg date as seen on the other's although it most likely is just worn off thanks again Last edited by hunt; 01-31-2011 at 02:57 PM..

01-18-2012, 02:44 AM	#11
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: BERETTA WW2 G'day and welcome Keith26 ! 6.35mm ammo for the baretta is .25 cal ACP and this ammo is available in many loads and from many makers but if i may suggest do not buy Plus P or +P ammo as this load is for more modern pistols and metals greetings to you in Malta From Australia here is a contact for you in Italy ( who cover Malta ) CHEDDITE S.R.I. Via del Giaggiolo 189 57124 Livorno Phone: + 39 0586 85 4295 Fax: +39 0586 85 4393 E-mail: cheddite@tin.it Last edited by jack404; 01-18-2012 at 03:22 AM..

01-18-2012, 04:30 AM	#12
keith26 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	Re: BERETTA WW2 hi sir many thanks for your help and promt reply i even has on it a crown marked and with the words psf [what they mean ] so you suggest normal .25cal ! here i had a talk with a friend of mine and he told me that you can shoot .22 short cal but i think they are not good if you told me that mine takes .25 many thanks keith chetcuti from malta .

01-18-2012, 04:33 AM	#13
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: BERETTA WW2 .22 short is dangerous in .25 , its loose enough to spin and jam in the barrel .. NEVER use ammo thats is not meant for your gun.. its a very fast way to have accidents enjoy your shooting

01-18-2012, 06:47 AM	#14
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: BERETTA WW2 .22 Short should not even stay in the magazine of that pistol and if it were to be single-loaded into the chamber it would be a fluke if it somehow fired. Use 6.35mm Browning / .25ACP ammunition. __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

01-18-2012, 09:22 AM	#15
keith26 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	Re: BERETTA WW2 thanks a lot guys for your promt reply and very use ful now i will go to local shops and buy and then how the shooting went many thanks .

12-02-2012, 11:51 PM	#16
Jla17 Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 1	Re: BERETTA WW2 I also inherited a PISTOLA AUT-BERETTA 765 BREV 1915 1919 but it is missing the original grip has been replaced. I'm looking to get an original one if I could but can't seem to find one. This one is also nickel plated, I haven't seen any other ones that are while I've been searching. I'm wondering if anyone can help with any information about it.

12-03-2012, 08:17 AM	#17
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: BERETTA WW2 Try www.gunpartscorp.com or www.gungrip.com Jim