34 berretta

[rice 123]

a friend of mine picked up a 34 berretta or maybe it was a 35 I can't remember what he said.However it has a Norwegian proof mark on it. The guy he got it from said that his father was stationed at the embassy in Norway . Did Norway import the 34 berretta. Could it have been left over from the occupation? does Norway proof guns that are imported or exported out of their country? I just can't figure how the berretta got a proof mark from Norway

Information

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[OldManMontgomery]

The 1934 Berettas were all chambered in 9mm Corto, known in U. S. as .380 ACP.
The 1935 Berettas were all chambered in 7.65 mm, known in U. S. as .32 ACP.

I seem to recall Beretta (and Italy) did sell various items to a number of different European countries, at least prior to WWII. I remember something about selling pistols to some Scandinavian countries - but I don't remember the details and I'm too lazy to go look it up right now. Again, my recollection is they were purchased by either police or some official governmental agency. The proof or acceptance mark probably means the item was in Norway 'officially', not smuggled or personal importation.

No clue what that means to a Beretta collector.

[Bruce McAskill]

It could have been a commercial sale too. Beretta made this model for many years post war.

[OldManMontgomery]

Bruce is correct. The post war pistols had the year of manufacture stamped on the frame. Left side, just forward of the hammer as I recall.

[cwo4uscgret]

I have a Beretta Model 1934 that is a bit different the all the others...Romanian Beretta info: In August 1940 a contract was placed with Beretta for 61,000 Model 1934 (9mm short "Scurt") pistols to be delivered within seven months. Due to Romania not paying for them all, and a shortage of steel the first pistols were not delivered until Feb. 1941, when 10,000 were delivered. 5,000 were delivered per month until 40,000 were shipped by Aug. 1941. The remaining 21,000 were not sold/produced.

[fernleaf]

Finland received around 1400 M34 pistols, and around 4100 M35 pistols from Italy between 1941-44. Perhaps a few 'crossed the border' into Norway?

I have one of 900 M34s bought as part of the 1941 purchase of M35s -the Italians where unable to complete the full order of 3000 M35s and made up the shortfall with M34s.

[majspud]

I love my '34 and '35 Berettas. The '35 was my carry piece until I got the '34 last year. The '35 is an Air Force 1939 with capture papers, and the '34 is a 1936 with the Army Proof. Both are full rigs. They both love FMJ and SD ammo.

T

[rice 123]

ok I purchased the Beretta- cal 9mcorto 1934 BREVET. GARDONE V.T 1942xx it has a crown over RE which I am told is an Italian army proof and below That a light proof I can hardly make out but I am told it is an Norwegian proof so it was used by the Italian army then somehow went to Norway?