BERETTA MOD. 1951, Cal 9×19

The Beretta Model 1951, also known as the M1951, Mod. 951 or Brigadier, was developed in the late 1940s by Pietro Beretta of Gardone Val Trompia. It marked a key stage in the evolution of Beretta pistols, being the company's first large-scale production model with a locked breech, chambered in 9×19 mm Parabellum. Unlike the Beretta 1934 and 1935 pistols, which were blowback-operated, the M1951 uses short barrel recoil and a tilting locking block. This system was later refined and used in the famous Beretta 92 family. Initial production began in limited numbers in the early 1950s, while series manufacture ran from roughly 1955 to 1980. The first pistols had light-alloy frames; stronger steel frames were introduced later. The model never became the standard sidearm of the entire Italian armed forces, but it was used by the Italian Navy, the Carabinieri and the Traffic Police. It was exported to many countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Nigeria and Tunisia. In Egypt it was built under licence as the Helwan, and in Iraq under the name Tariq.

• calibre: 9×19 mm Parabellum;
• action: single-action;
• operation: short recoil, tilting locking block;
• magazine: 8 rounds;
• overall length: approx. 203 mm;
• barrel length: approx. 114 mm;
• fixed sights;
• cross-bolt safety located at the top of the grip;
• magazine release button located at the base of the grip.

The pistol pictured is an original Italian Beretta, not a Helwan or Tariq, and is marked: “PB – MOD 1951 – MADE in ITALY”.

Cosmetically, the pistol is in good condition, with the typical characteristics of a service arm:

• original finish, with patina and handling marks;
• visible wear on the edges of the slide and frame;
• original grips, with no major cracks;
• the factory markings are still legible;
• the controls, magazine base plate and lanyard ring are present;
• no deep corrosion is visible.