BERETTA MOD.1934, Cal 9×17

The Beretta Model 1934 was designed as a compact military pistol and adopted by the Royal Italian Army in 1934. It represents the final form of a family of Beretta pistols that began with the 1915, 1919 and 1923 models. It is a blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol with a single-action mechanism, an external hammer and the open-top slide characteristic of Beretta. It fires the 9×17 mm Browning Short/.380 ACP cartridge, known in Italy as “9 Corto”, and has a seven-round magazine. Its simple, robust and easily maintained construction gave it a very long military career. The Model 1934 was widely used by the Italian army, police and security forces during the Second World War. After Italy's capitulation, examples captured by Germany were designated Pistole 671(i). Total production exceeded one million units.

THE EXAMPLE SHOWN: THE ROMANIAN CONTRACT

The pistol in the photograph is particularly interesting because it bears the marking “CAL. 9 SCURT Md. 1934” and the date of manufacture 1941. The Romanian designation “9 SCURT” (9 Short), instead of the Italian marking “9 CORTO”, indicates an example made for the Royal Romanian Army contract during the Second World War. Romania purchased both the Beretta Model 1934 in 9 mm Scurt and the Model 1935 in 7.65 mm Browning. Romanian examples are rarer than the standard pistols made for the Italian army and are of greater interest to collectors of Romanian military firearms. The “1941” marking corresponds to the period when Romania and Italy were allies within the Axis. Full confirmation requires checking the serial number, the acceptance proof mark and the matching of numbers between the frame, slide and barrel.

CONDITION OF THE EXAMPLE:

the pistol is in very good to excellent cosmetic condition:

• well-preserved black finish;
• very crisp markings;
• original Beretta grips;
• edges and serrations without significant wear;
• magazine and lanyard ring present;
• minimal handling marks;
• no visible deep corrosion.
• matching serial numbers on slide and frame, including the magazine; original leather holster.