Beretta Model 1934 Serial Numbers
The thing about historical guns is that they tend to be present during history’s most significant events. As a result, they often come attached to stories, sometimes fantastic ones. As the world’s oldest firearms company (and the world’s oldest ongoing corporate concern of any kind), our products have many stories to tell about events that shaped the world as we know it.
My Crown/FAG/39 stamped Beretta 1934 with the 1939 XVII slide is serial number 776343. This should extend the upper limit of the range over 1,000. I can post photos if required.
Also see:Four Folks Who Changed History and Chose Beretta
Today we’re going to take a look at the Beretta Model 1934. While the one shown here is not too far from the century mark in age, you’ll note that it shares some of the same features in the Beretta 92-series, like the 92FS and M9 pistols. For example, the M1934 features an open top slide. That generous cutout not only reduces mass to reduce weight movement during recoil of this blowback-action pistol, but it also creates a huge ejection port to help with reliable feeding and ejection even in battlefield conditions.
In fact, the M1934 was created to serve the needs of the Italian armed forces. Released in, you guessed it, 1934, this model was adopted by the army in 1937. The M1934 was also adopted by the Navy and Air Force so you might see any of these acceptance stamps: “RE” (Regio Esercito, Royal Army), 'RM' (Regia Marina, Navy), or 'RA' (Regia Aeronautica, Air Force). This particular 1934 was made as a commercial model, identifiable by the “PSF” mark on the left side of the frame.
The M1934 is chambered in 9mm Corto, otherwise known as .380 ACP. While there are a few other differences, the similar M1935 model is chambered in .32 ACP. The M1934 features 7+1 capacity with box magazines. For improved grip, there’s a generous finger extension as the base of the magazine.
The M1934 is a blowback design, so the barrel is fixed in place. Unlike most other blowback pistols, the recoil spring is below the barrel and guided by a separate rod. Since the spring doesn’t have to circle the barrel, tighter tolerances were obtained with slide to barrel fit. It’s a hammer-fired, single-action pistol with an unusual safety mechanism.
The safety on the M1934 is frame mounted, on the left-hand side. What’s unique is its mode of operation. The lever travels a full 180 degrees to go from safe to fire modes. Intuitively, pulling the lever back engages the safety, while rotating it forward towards the target disengages it.
This particular pistol was manufactured in 1940. That date is stamped on the left side of the frame just above the trigger guard. You’ll also notice the Roman numerals XVIII in the same area. That also indicates the year 1940 - but in terms of the Fascist Era calendar, which started in October 1922. Add 18 (XVIII) to 1922, and you get… 1940.
The Beretta M1934 pictured here has a fascinating story. I ran across it, somewhat by chance, at a family friend’s home. It turns out that the owner’s father served with the U.S. Army in WWII and was part of the Italian campaign. As the story goes, this gun was 'liberated' from Mussolini’s office facility as the Allies advanced north. While this is conjecture on my part, I’m guessing that may have occurred in or around Gargnano in the north-central area of Italy where Mussolini led the Italian Social Republic for the last year and a half of the war. During April of 1945, both the U.S. Fifth Army and Mussolini were in the same neighborhood at the same time, so to speak, so the logistics are certainly feasible. We’ll keep digging to see what we can find about the travels of this gun and report back in a future article. For now, just appreciate its brush with world history. Being a commercial product, was it purchased privately by “Il Duce” himself, or perhaps a staff member or bodyguard?
To close with just a bit of trivia fun, you’ll also spot the Beretta 1934 at the movies and on television. The M1934 makes an appearance in the 1962 Classic Dr. No. Even though James Bond is portrayed as toting a Beretta 418 at the beginning of that flick, the M1934 is actually used as a stand in. You’ll also spot it in Von Ryan’s Express, Thunderbolt (a suppressed model!), the original Casino Royale, and even The Godfather. On the small screen, it’s in a dozen or so episodes of the original Mission Impossible series, Hawaii Five-O (again suppressed), and even makes an appearance in Hogan’s Heroes. How’s that for versatility?
If you want one of your own, scour the local shows and online auction sites. During its 57-year production run, just about 1,080,000 pistols were manufactured, so there are plenty on the used market.
Current 08/28/2019
Beretta 1915
7.65mm - 70735
Beretta 1915-1919
Navy Marked - 225567
Beretta 1923
Commercial Model with stock lug - 305002
RE Accepted with stock lug -306746
Beretta 318
1935 Accepted Commercial Marked - 606471
1937 XV Commercial Marked - 610723
Beretta 418
1937 XV Commercial Marked with holster - 614285
1937 XVI Commercial Marked with holster - 616167
1938 XVI Commercial Marked with holster - 616596
1939 XVII Commercial Marked - 624152
1940 XVIII Commercial Marked with holster - 627558
1941 XIX Commercial Marked with Alloy Frame - 634431
1942 XX Commercial Marked - 640878
1943 XXI Brescia Proof with holster - 646694
1943 XXI AF Marked - 646845
Beretta 1931
Navy Marked - 401469
Commercial Marked - 405166
Military Accepted not Navy or Commercial Marked- 407309
Beretta 1934
1935 XIII Army Marked 'rig' slide safety gun VERY RARE - 500327
1935 XIV Army Marked 'rig' - 505204
1935 XIV Commercial Marked 1937 dated - 505495
1936 XIV Commercial Marked - 512528
1936 XIV Army Marked 'rig' - 516363
1936 XIV Brescia proof - 542960S
1936 XV Army Marked - 550370
Blank Slide - Tipo Alleggerito - 571969
Blank Slide GECO Marked Low Frame P. Beretta-Cal.9 Corto marking - 594114
1937 XV Commercial with Mo. 1934 over stamped 7 for Mo. 1937 'rig' - 594175
1937 XV - Tipo Alleggerito 'rig' - 638749
1937 XV Army Marked - 666496
1937 XVI Army Marked - 664478
1938 XVI - Tipo Alleggerito - 685318
1938 XVI Commercial 'rig' 1940 proof - 688197
1938 XVI Army Marked 'rig' - 706980
1938 XVI Army and FAG Marked - 727200
1938 XVII King Alfonso of Spain presentation pistol - Photos from the Rock Island Auction. I do not own this gun.
1939 XVII Commercial Marked - 761402
1939 XVII Army and FAG Marked with RE on right - 739741
1939 XVII Army and FAG Marked with RE on left - 773052
1939 XVII not Marked - 789759
1939 XVII with 'V' prefix 'rig' - V1075
1939 XVII with Mo. 1934 over stamped 7 for Mo. 1937 - 800226
1939 XVII with Mo. 1934 over stamped 7 for Mo. 1937 complete 'rig' with capture docs and vet information - 800830
1940 XVIII No Serial Number
1940 XVIII No Serial Number
1940 XVIII with 'V' prefix - V1212
1940 XVIII with 'V' prefix - V1314
1940 XVIII Commercial Marked 'rig' - 801250
1940 XVIII Army and FAG Marked - 807058
1940 XVIII Commercial Production GeCo Marked with Commercial Holster - 827540
1940 XVIII Army and IVU Marked 'rig' - 835576
1940 XIX Army Marked With BREVETTATO on the slide 'rig' - 845634
1941 XIX Army Marked with BREVETTATO on the slide - 863982
1941 XIX Commercial Production BREVET. marked - 867199
1941 XIX Commercial Production with Mo. 1937 slide BREVETTATO marked - 868265
1940 XIX Commercial Production BREVETTATO marked - 868677
1941 XIX Commercial Production with Mo. 1937 slide BREVETTATO marked - 868779
1939 XVIII Commercial 1941 Marked BREVET. marked - 886541
1941 XIX Army Marked BREVET marked - 887946
1941 XIX Commercial Production GECO marked with holster - 895889
1941 XIX Commercial marked with Finnish Army acceptance (SA) FULL RIG - 902944
1940 XVIII 'R' Marked no serial number on slide. Out of order slide code 'rig' - 918415
1939 XVII Army Marked no serial number on slide. Out of order slide code - 919659
1941 XX Army Marked with Bandoleer and box of original ammo - 920526
1940 XVIII Army Marked no serial number on slide. Out of order slide code - 924556
1941 XX Commercial 1942 Marked - 927836
1941 XX 'P' property Marking - 928310
1941 XX Army Marked - 929793
1942 XX Army Marked with Mo. 934 BREVETTATA slide - 938474
1942 XX Commercial with Mo. 934 BREVETTATA slide and Brown grips - 943522
1942 XX Commercial with Mo. 934 BREVETTATA slide and GECO marked- 945273
1942 XX Commercial with Mo. 934 BREVETTATA slide and Finnish Army Acceptance - 967605
1942 XX Commercial with low frame proofs and AKAH marked - 979520
1942 XX Commercial with low frame proofs and original wood grips - 979576
1942 XX Army Marked - 989189
1942 XX Commercial Marked - 992851
1942 XX Commercial Marked - F01341
1942 XX with non military non commercia 'F' property marking - F05691
1942 XX Army Marked 'F' prefix - F07765
1942 XX with non military non commercial 'P' property marking and holster - F12707
1942 XX Commercial Marked - Finnish Army HQ-Sk.Y 0184 Property Marked with Sk.Y marked holster - F22074
1942 XXI Army Marked 'F' prefix - F40840
1942 XXI Commercial Marked - Finnish Army HQ-Sk.Y 0494 Property Marked 'rig' with 'very rare' Sk.Y marked holster - F42405
1942 XXI Airforce - F48918
1943 XXI Army Marked 'F' prefix 'rig' - F88982
Blank Slide 'F' prefix Army Accepted - F91379
Blank Slide 'F' prefix full rig with capture papers - F98470
Blank Slide 'F' prefix Airforce Accepted - F99713
Blank Slide with non military non commercial 'F' marking 'rig' - G04118
Blank Slide with non military non commercial 's' marking 'rig' - G04175
Blank Slide with non military non commercial 's' marking 'rig' with rare WWII lanyard - G04733
1943 XXI Air Force marked Slide 'G' prefix - G06605
Blank Slide 'G' prefix Air Force accepted - Eagle on Left - G07390
Blank Slide 'G' prefix Air Force accepted - Eagle on Right - G08691
Blank Slide 'G' prefix Army 'rig' - G20746
Blank Slide 'G' prefix Army marked with MR inspection stamp - G24596
Blank Slide 'G' prefix unmarked 'rig' - G25904
Blank Slide 'G' prefix 'CAL. 9' Marked with Airforce acceptance - G28088
Blank Slide 'G' prefix 'CAL. 9' Marked with Brescia proof - G29954
Blank Slide 'G' prefix 'CAL. 9' Marked with Army acceptance 'rig' - G33757
Blank Slide 'G' prefix 'CAL. 9' Marked with Airforce and Brescia acceptance - G40231
1943 XXI 'G' prefix with Brescia proof - G50329
1943 XX 'AA' Series - 1578AA
1944 Marked 'AA' Series - 4424AA
1944 Marked 'AA' Series - 7262AA
1944 Marked 'AA' Series with Airforce acceptance - 7799AA
1944 Marked 'BB' Series with Brescia proof - 1071BB
1944 Marked 'BB' Series with Airforce acceptance 'rig' - 2655BB
1944 Marked 'BB' Series Mo. 1934 slide 4UT accepted - 6673BB
1944 Marked 'BB' Series Mod. 1934 slide 4UT and Phosphated- 7683BB
Blank Slide 'BB' series 1945 over stamped 1944 acceptance post war with British acceptance stamps - 9585BB
1944 Marked - Post war assembled Mod. 1934 slide, no serial number no proofs or acceptance stamps, very rare.
1944 Marked - Another post war assembled gun with Mod. 1934 slide, no serial number, proof or acceptance
Beretta 1935
1934 XII Commercial marked 1934 with 1915-1919 Mo 1934 slide - 408991
1935 XIII Airforce marked with 1915-1919 Mo 1934 slide - 410519
1935 XIII Commercial marked 1935 - 412334
1935 XIV Airforce marked with Mod. 1935 slide - 413739 --- Consecutive serial number
1935 XIV Airforce marked with Mod. 1935 slide - 413740 --- Consecutive serial number
1936 XIV Airforce marked 1st Contract 'rig' (TP) - 416882
1936 XIV Airforce marked (MR) - 421659
1936 XV Airforce marked (MR) - 422095
1936 XIV Airforce marked 2nd Contract (TP) - 422678
1936 XV Navy marked - Anchor (MR) - 422896
1936 XV Airforce marked - (TP) - 423291
1937 XV Airforce marked - 424271
1937 XV Commercial 1937 accepted - 425100
1937 XV Commercial 1938 accepted Dural frame - 426108
1937 XV Navy marked Contract from March 8, 1938 - 431040
1938 XVI Commercial 1938 proof - 433300
1938 XVI Commercial 1938 proof - 433402
1938 XVI Commercial 1939 proof - 433853
1939 XVII Navy marked 'rig' - 435287
1939 XVII Commercial - 436425
1939 XVII 'GECO' marked with Dural frame, capture papers, shoulder holster - 440568
1940 XVIIIFactory Engraved VERY VERY RARE - 441943
1940 XVIII Navy marked 'rig' - 442177
1940 XVIII Commercial marked 'GECO' - 446577
1940 XVIII No markings - 449715
1940 XVIII Commercial marked with Finnish Army acceptance (SA) FULL RIG - 452930
1940 XVIII Commercial 1940 accepted - 457756
1940 XVIII Airforce marked - 457863
1940 XIX Airforce marked - 463143
1942 XX Navy marked with stylized CM (should be 485536 possible stamp mistake) - 465536
1937 XV Commercial 1941 accepted - 466320
1941 XIX Commercial - GECO marked - 470654
1941 XIX Navy marked - 471145
1941 XIX Navy marked CM - 473627
1941 XIX Commercial marked with Finnish Army acceptance (SA) FULL RIG - 479423
1941 XIX Airforce marked - 479990
1941 XIX Army marked - 477564
1941 XIX Army marked - 480624
1941 XX Commercial 1941 Marked - 482072
1942 XX Airforce marked with capture papers, full 'rig' - 483914
1942 XX Commercial 1942 marked in the orginal box with firing proof tag - 487763
1942 XX Navy Marked CM Inspector Initial - 492454
1942 XXI Navy Marked CM Inspector Initial - 493182
1943 XXI Commercial - GECO marked - 497151
1943 XXI Navy Marked CM Inspector Initial - 497249
Blank Slide (1943) Navy Marked GF Inspector Initial - 497793
Blank Slide (1943) Navy Marked GF Inspector Initial - 500000
Blank Slide (1943) Commercial Proof - 500738
Blank Slide (1943) with non military non commercial 'M' property marking - 500748
Blank Slide (1943) Air Force Marking - 503439
Blank Slide (1943) Brescia Proof, Brescia Marked Barrel, 7.65 added - 503831
Blank Slide (1943) Air Force Marking with CAL 7.65 added - 505814
1944 Marked High Polish BresciaProof on the left - 507957
1944 Marked High Polish Brescia Proof on the left in MINT condition - 508771
1944 Marked Air Force Eagle - 515707
1944 Marked High Polish Brescia on the left AND 4UT on the right UNISSUED WITH HOLSTER - 518364
1944 Marked High Polish Brescia on the left AND 4UT on the right - 518959
1944 Marked with Brescia on the left and AF Eagle on the right - 523090
1944 Marked Stick Eagle 162 on Frame 'rig' - 539933
1944 Marked High Polish with 4UT on the right- 541143
1944 Marked High Polish with WaA162 on the frame, full rig with rare lanyard - 545775
1944 Marked High Polish with 4UT on left - 547683
1944 Marked with German test proof on the barrel, small letter slide - 565992
1944 Marked Phosphated 'rig' - 567023
1944 Marked Phosphated - 568029
1944 Marked Phosphated 'rig' - 570625
1944 Marked Phosphated Finish with WaA162 on Frame, small letter slide- 572362
1944 Marked Phosphated Finish, small letter slide - 579978
Blank Slide Blank Slide full 'rig' with lanyard - 605698
Blank Slide missing the 4UT acceptance and no caliber designation - 610388
Blank Slide - 613191Dora carnival game gape.
Blank Slide with German test proof on the barrel - 613588
Blank Slide Phosphated near end of German production - 615789 (The last gun sold to the Germans was serial number 615969)
Blank Slide Phosphated and left over in the factory as original from the German contract but not paid for - 616116
Blank Slide Phosphated and left over in the factory as original from the German contract but not paid for, full 'rig' - 616125
Blank Slide Phosphated with no serial number, no proofs or acceptance stamps, GI bringback after the factory was captured.
Blank Slide High Polish post war rework of a 4UT accepted pistol - 616471
Blank Slide High Polish post war rework of a 4UT accepted pistol - 616477
Blank Slide High Polish post war rework of a 4UT accepted pistol - 617283
Romanian Contract
1st Romanian Contract - 06850
1st Romanian Contract mint condition - 09969
2nd Romanian Contract - 39490
Romanian contract pistol with commercial proof/acceptance - 12441
Romanian contract pistol with commercial proof/acceptance and German importer stamp - 17325
Romanian contract pistol with commercial proof/acceptance vet bring back 'rig' with Certfication of Miltary Service from the vet estate - 22478
Romanian contract pistol with commercial proof/acceptance 'rig' with Dog Tags and Service Record- 25254
Romanian contract pistol with commercial proof/acceptance - 30513
Cremona Beretta 1935
S.A.Armaguerra-Cremona 1944 Early Serial number style - G00074
S.A.Armaguerra-Cremona 1944 Late Serial number style - G00392
Holsters
Post War Holster and Belt
Post War
WWII parts from 1946 - 640899
Commercial gun single line code 644542
Commercial gun (bring back from GI stationed in Italy) 2 line slide code - 647622
Police single line code - 662448
Commercial Gun 1948 Proof Date c/psf - 665038
Police Very rare FAG 51 rework marking on frame star/psf - 686288
Police single line slide code 'rework' star/psf - 709098
Commecial Gun 1951 Proof Date star/psf - 770609
Commecial Gun 1952 Proof Date star/psf - 784697
Commercial Gun 1953 Proof Date - 815308
Odd rework with FAG 51 marking on frame, police marking removed and unusual serial number applied c/lion - 90895
WWII Beretta with 'Sweet Heart' trench art grips.
Unknown Belgium rework with holster - 1422
Shooters
Post war 1935