Help ID this pistol? - The Firearms Forum

Zero-2-Sixty · 09-04-2009, 02:00 AM

I just inherited this pistol from a relative and I dont know much about it, perhaps you can help me out.

It came with an extra clip and a box of .380 auto rounds.
it has G14334 stamped on the right side of the slide and an insignia on the grip but thats about it. Im not really interrested in what its worth (has sentimental value). I just want to know what I have, so i can be an informed owner and take proper care of it.

Thanks in advance guys!

ampaterry · 09-04-2009, 05:08 AM

From this webpage HERE, scroll down to the pictures that look like your gun.

I believe that pins it down to a Beretta M 1934 or 1935, which I cannot see the difference in. More precise identification would require knowing the other markings on this piece, I believe. Guessing from the serial number, it seems to be 1941 or 1942 vintage.

OK, enough from the amateur in the peanut gallery -
Let's hear from the REAL experts here.

Hammerslagger · 09-04-2009, 07:02 AM

From your pics and description; a WW II production Beretta of 1930's design.

ampaterry · 09-04-2009, 07:22 AM

Good grief, I was RIGHT?????

Alpo · 09-04-2009, 08:00 AM

Beretta 1934. The 1935 was a 32ACP version.

This place has a couple for sale. One is 300, the other is 350. I think the price difference is because the more expensive one has two magazines. http://www.katsko.net/Firearms/Beretta.html

This guy also has one. His comes with a copy of the owner's manual, in English. Maybe, if you offered to pay for one, he'd scan you a copy of his copy. Just a thought.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/923714543...model_1934.htm

If you can read Italian, here is the original manual in Italian. http://www.berettaweb.com/Munuals/beretta%2034.pdf

Something that I think is kinda cool. 30/06 Springfield is called that because it was chambered in the Springfield rifle. 9mm Luger is called that because it was originally in the Luger pistol. Fiochhi, the Italian ammo maker, headstamps their 380 ammo as 9-34. In Spain they call it 9C (9mm Corto). In Germany they call it 9K (9mm Kurz). But in Italy it is 9-34. 9mm for the 1934 pistol.

Alpo · 09-04-2009, 08:06 AM

This guy makes repros of owner's manuals. He has one. 9 dollars plus shipping.
http://www.rediscovered-shooting-tre...eretta1934.htm

Teejay9 · 09-04-2009, 09:00 PM

If this is a military gun, it would have Roman numerals denoting the year of Mussolini's power, i.e.XIX would be 1941, XX would equal 1942. 1922 plus the "twenty" would equal the year it was made, 1942. Also, they were sometimes marked with the branch of service, "M" equals Navy, "RA" equals Air Force and the other letter equals Army (I can't quite remember what letter Army is). TJ

freehouse · 01-29-2012, 11:26 AM

This is a military pistol, the ones in your serial range have blank slides, it was made after the fall of Mussilini in July 1943. Beretta stopped using the Facist Year markings on the slide required under Italian law and went to blank slides for a few months. Later slides were marked 1944 with no facist year. The pictures are not clear but I think your pistol has a crown RE on the left rear (tang) and an IVU on the right? If s othat means it was acceptedfor service in the Italian Army.

Zero-2-Sixty · 02-07-2012, 01:48 AM

Here are some pictures taken with an ACTUAL camera that are ACTUALLY useful!

I hope these images show up right, let me know if they don't.

Thus far I've gathered it is a Beretta Model 1934 Italian Royal Army sidearm. Thank you all so much for the replies! Everyone in this forum has been great!

Jim K · 02-07-2012, 06:17 PM

"RE" stands for Regio Esercito, or Royal Army. While Mussolini took over as prime minister in 1922 and became effectively dictator, Italy was technially a Monarchy until 1946. The King during most of those years was Vittorio Emanuele III, of the House of Savoy, who had named Mussolini prime minister in the mistaken belief that he could be controlled. Wrong.

Jim

09-04-2009, 02:00 AM	#1
Zero-2-Sixty Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 2	Help ID this pistol? I just inherited this pistol from a relative and I dont know much about it, perhaps you can help me out. It came with an extra clip and a box of .380 auto rounds. it has G14334 stamped on the right side of the slide and an insignia on the grip but thats about it. Im not really interrested in what its worth (has sentimental value). I just want to know what I have, so i can be an informed owner and take proper care of it. Thanks in advance guys! Attached Images -->

09-04-2009, 05:08 AM	#2
ampaterry TFF Admin Staff Chaplain Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Tennessee Contributor Posts: 6,283	Re: Help ID this pistol? From this webpage HERE, scroll down to the pictures that look like your gun. I believe that pins it down to a Beretta M 1934 or 1935, which I cannot see the difference in. More precise identification would require knowing the other markings on this piece, I believe. Guessing from the serial number, it seems to be 1941 or 1942 vintage. OK, enough from the amateur in the peanut gallery - Let's hear from the REAL experts here. __________________ A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders. Larry Elder

09-04-2009, 07:02 AM	#3
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Help ID this pistol? From your pics and description; a WW II production Beretta of 1930's design.

09-04-2009, 07:22 AM	#4
ampaterry TFF Admin Staff Chaplain Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Tennessee Contributor Posts: 6,283	Re: Help ID this pistol? Good grief, I was RIGHT????? __________________ A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders. Larry Elder

09-04-2009, 08:00 AM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,657	Re: Help ID this pistol? Beretta 1934. The 1935 was a 32ACP version. This place has a couple for sale. One is 300, the other is 350. I think the price difference is because the more expensive one has two magazines. http://www.katsko.net/Firearms/Beretta.html This guy also has one. His comes with a copy of the owner's manual, in English. Maybe, if you offered to pay for one, he'd scan you a copy of his copy. Just a thought. http://www.gunsamerica.com/923714543...model_1934.htm If you can read Italian, here is the original manual in Italian. http://www.berettaweb.com/Munuals/beretta%2034.pdf Something that I think is kinda cool. 30/06 Springfield is called that because it was chambered in the Springfield rifle. 9mm Luger is called that because it was originally in the Luger pistol. Fiochhi, the Italian ammo maker, headstamps their 380 ammo as 9-34. In Spain they call it 9C (9mm Corto). In Germany they call it 9K (9mm Kurz). But in Italy it is 9-34. 9mm for the 1934 pistol. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-04-2009, 08:06 AM	#6
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,657	Re: Help ID this pistol? This guy makes repros of owner's manuals. He has one. 9 dollars plus shipping. http://www.rediscovered-shooting-tre...eretta1934.htm __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-04-2009, 09:00 PM	#7
Teejay9 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southwest Corner of the US, "Where no stinking fence will stop us!!" Posts: 1,257	Re: Help ID this pistol? If this is a military gun, it would have Roman numerals denoting the year of Mussolini's power, i.e.XIX would be 1941, XX would equal 1942. 1922 plus the "twenty" would equal the year it was made, 1942. Also, they were sometimes marked with the branch of service, "M" equals Navy, "RA" equals Air Force and the other letter equals Army (I can't quite remember what letter Army is). TJ __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have". Thomas Jefferson

01-29-2012, 11:26 AM	#8
freehouse Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1	Re: Help ID this pistol? This is a military pistol, the ones in your serial range have blank slides, it was made after the fall of Mussilini in July 1943. Beretta stopped using the Facist Year markings on the slide required under Italian law and went to blank slides for a few months. Later slides were marked 1944 with no facist year. The pictures are not clear but I think your pistol has a crown RE on the left rear (tang) and an IVU on the right? If s othat means it was acceptedfor service in the Italian Army.

02-07-2012, 01:48 AM	#9
Zero-2-Sixty Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 2	Re: Help ID this pistol? Here are some pictures taken with an ACTUAL camera that are ACTUALLY useful! I hope these images show up right, let me know if they don't. Thus far I've gathered it is a Beretta Model 1934 Italian Royal Army sidearm. Thank you all so much for the replies! Everyone in this forum has been great! Last edited by Zero-2-Sixty; 02-07-2012 at 08:32 PM..

02-07-2012, 06:17 PM	#10
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Help ID this pistol? "RE" stands for Regio Esercito, or Royal Army. While Mussolini took over as prime minister in 1922 and became effectively dictator, Italy was technially a Monarchy until 1946. The King during most of those years was Vittorio Emanuele III, of the House of Savoy, who had named Mussolini prime minister in the mistaken belief that he could be controlled. Wrong. Jim