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1943 Beretta Model 1935 Markings

36K views 39 replies 14 participants last post by  kanister 
#1 ·
Can anyone tell me what possible markings would be on a Beretta Model 1935 pistol made in 1943? Would it have a blank slide? Would it have 4 UT proofs?

Sure, it may have the year on the slide but 1943 was a tumultuous year in Italy.

Thanks for any help.
 
#2 ·
The 4UT mark was used on the pistols made for the Wehrmacht between 1943 and 1945 in Gardone Val Trompia ( 19968 pistols with two serial numbers series: from 0001AA to 9997AA and from 0001BB to 9971BB).

These guns were also used by the Luftwaffe.


The pistols with the SN between 504865 and 612442 were marked with the WaA162 mark.

The guns with a SN highter that 600000 have a blank slide.



Best regards.
 
#3 ·
In regards to the AA & BB suffix, these were used on the Model 1934 Beretta.
The following information comes from 3 books.

Pietro Beretta Le Automatiche:
In 1943, after the birth of the RSI, the fascist era was deleted from the slide leaving only the year of manufacture, page 324. Weapons of that time, even the ones produced for the Germans have the 4UT stamp, page 326. I could not find a reference in this book for the blank slides. I have a 1944 with slide legend & stamped 4UT.

German Pistols and Holsters, Vol II:
Page 138 Model 1935 serial number range, 500,000 - 507,000 Blank slide
507,000 - 600,000 Year stamp, no fascist stamp
600,000 - 616,000 Blank slide

Page 139 Model 1935, 4UT stamp applied initially near 515,000. From 515,000 - 536,000 both 4UT and Crown/Lion proof

Axis Arms:
Page 276 Model 1935 serial number range, 1943 date 495,000 - 500,000
" " " " " , 1943 " 500,000 - 508,000 RSI era
1944 " 508,000 - 600,000 RSI era
1945 " 600,000 - 620,799 RSI era
Many are 4UT marked, very few bear the Eagle/WaA162 stamp.

Maybe confusing, but I have 548,223 with slide legend dated 1944 & 4UT stamp. Your pistol may fit in there. If you need something else from the books, I'll try and dig it out.
Hope it helps

Don
 
#4 ·
Yes you are right, the AA and BB suffixs were used on the model 1934.
Just forgot to mention it...

I'm sorry.
 
#5 ·
Toddbike, A Model 1935 (7.65 cal.) dated 1943 isn't very common, a Model 1934 (380 cal.) is a lot more common, but neither one of them would be (4UT) marked [4UT is not a German marking, it is an Italian inspection marking on most pistols sold to the Germans by Beretta.]

A Model 1935 (7.65 cal) with a 1943 dated slide would be very hard to find and probably wouldn't have been sold to the German Army. I only have two M1935's with 1943 dated slides reported.

Reported serials of a few pistols in this range are:
493396 dated 1942XXI with a (CM) inspection.
495971 1943XXI with commercial P.S.F. 1943 proof and German Geco marking.
496665 1943XXI "F" marking.
I have a copy of a letter from Beretta on pistol 499707 which states it was sold on 30th October 1943 to the Italian Army, doesn't say how it was marked.
499863 has a blank slide and "CF" inspection marking.

Reported pistols from 499863 to 507957 (which is 1944 dated and Crown over Lion inspection marked) have blank slides and are not dated.
Slides are 1944 dated (on reported pistols) from 507957 to 599269 (599269 is blank and 4UT marked also has Cal. 765 on the right side of the trigger guard)

As you can see not very many 1943 dated M35's were made.
--
alb87, where did you get the info that M35's from 504865 to 612442 are WaA162 marked? Very few are WaA162 marked (the first reported one is 512164 and the last 613568) But the WaA162 is very seldom seen on any Beretta.
--
teiko41, your 548223 is standard for a pistol in this serial range.

David Franchi
 
#29 ·
Looking for information on the 1935, I ran across this old post and am glad I did. I was looking for a reference to the C over M marking on the left tang. I have a 1935 that is marked with the Cardone VT 1942 XX and 487,526 serial number. Your information was really helpful. Thank you.
 
#6 ·
Franchi,
I found these informations in the last Italian book of the Beretta handguns.

I can't confirm the accuracy of these informations.
I found several mistake informations about the SN range for the Beretta m34 in this book.

Please, If someone will found some wrong or different informations about these numbers, let me know....

Thanks.
 
#8 ·
The book is Adriano Simoni's "Pistole Militari Beretta".


Regards.
 
#11 ·
I own a Beretta 1935 marked 1944 (no fascist year) Gardone and showing the 4UT mark on the right tang; all matching serial number 542,049 and original grips known to be part of a shipment to the Wehrmacht/Salo late in war during the Salo period (Group IV military). The gun is in perfect shape but seems uniformly plum all over, not stronger on the slide, markings plumed, and therefore possibly reblued. My question is the frame markings. With the grips off the left undergrip frame as an "A" and the right frame a "4". Are these inspector marks? Second, the butt surface (edge) of the frame between the magazine release and the lanyard clip appears to have had a large "4" that now has an "X" over it. It also has a original looking fainter "V" mark to its extreme right below the backstrap. I want to assume this is evidence of rebluing shortly after the war on capture. I also assume this was not likely a Russian capture but an American one??
 
#12 · (Edited)
I'm looking at a Beretta 35 with a serial number of 674xxx, (about 94% original finish) which has a Beretta logo on the left side of the slide, but no numbers on either the barrel or slide. The seller is contending that it is an early post WWII 35. What I am curious about is a marking on the left rear of the frame, which consists of either "PS" or "RS" in an oval.

"PS" (I think) stands for "Pubblica Siccurezza," but, in case it is actually "RS," what would that indicate?
 
#13 ·
Yes, serial 674xxx is early post war: last war production war around serial 616000
Your marking is perhaps PSF, that means Polvere senza fumo or Smokeless powder.
In every case PS does not mean Pubblica Sicurezza. On model 1915/17 PS in oval was the marking of an inspector of the Proof House.
A photo whould aid.
 
#14 ·
Here is a pic: Yes, I am aware of "psf". This is a marking in an oval on the right rear of the frame. I read (or at least I THINK I read years ago that "PS" indicated a police issue gun (various police agencies or Carabinieri). However, based on the pic, I'm not sure if the stamp is "PS" or "RS".
 
#30 ·
Here is a pic: Yes, I am aware of "psf". This is a marking in an oval on the right rear of the frame. I read (or at least I THINK I read years ago that "PS" indicated a police issue gun (various police agencies or Carabinieri). However, based on the pic, I'm not sure if the stamp is "PS" or "RS". View attachment 841151
*******************
Mine does not have mark here. Why?
 

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#16 ·


Many years ago someone that did not know anything of Italy wrote that the PS marking meant Pubblica Sicurezza or Polizia di Stato and from then the tale is still told.
PS in oval was one of the inspector that accepted the Beretta mod. 1915/17, as you can see on the above photo.
Carabinieri were part of the Royal Army, so they had no dedicated marks, but only the more common Crown RE.
If another armed force had some dedicated marks this is a plain writing (Guardia di Finanza, for example).

Your oval is so big to contain three letters and the S is the third one. But I don't know what it means.
 
#18 ·
As of yet, I don't have physical possession of the pistol. When (and if) I do get it, I will try to take better pictures of it.

BTW: The article in Wikidecia.com states that "PS" stands for Pubblica Securezza. You can edit it and correct the misinformation to help others.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Kanister,

To continue with the questions concerning the inspectors, does the magaine say that the initials found on 1915 Berettas, to include RP and IF in addition to PS, are also inspectors from the Brescia proof house? And on the Model 1917, besides PS, also DR and AB?

The early history of this proof house is very cloudy. The National Proof House published a 100 Years of Proofing Book in 2010 and I have a copy, (thanks Dan!) The book is very vague about what occurred between 1910 and 1920. It states that the proof house existed on paper but was not functional until 1920 when it operated at full capacity. Even then the book states the Gardone location went into operation on 1 Sep 1920, and the Brescia on 1 July 1921. Proofing wasn't compulsory until the end of 1923.

Does the magazine article help explain what occurred between 1910 and 1920?

Thanks,
Bob
 
#26 ·
Kanister,

To continue with the questions concerning the inspectors, does the magaine say that the initials found on 1915 Berettas, to include RP and IS in addition to PS, are also inspectors from the Brescia proof house? And on the Model 1917, besides PS, also AR and AB?

The early history of this proof house is very cloudy. The National Proof House published a 100 Years of Proofing Book in 2010 and I have a copy, (thanks Dan!) The book is very vague about what occurred between 1910 and 1920. It states that the proof house existed on paper but was not functional until 1920 when it operated at full capacity. Even then the book states the Gardone location went into operation on 1 Sep 1920, and the Brescia on 1 July 1921. Proofing wasn't compulsory until the end of 1923.

Does the magazine article help explain what occurred between 1910 and 1920?

Thanks,
Bob
Sorry, but the magazine don't say anything about those years.
The article deal only on Beretta 1915 and 1915/17 and list only some inspectors that were:
IF - tenente Ing, Franco

PS in oval - Pagliarini Silvio

DR - unknow

AB - unknow
 
#31 ·
Hi, Comrades!
Pictures of mine Beretta 35 (7.65mm) below.
Made in 1944. According website (don't remember which one) it's "Acceptance stamp:
none
in serial range 509000 - 515000, weapons were delivered to the German Headqúarter, but didn't get the "4UT"-acceptance
Test proof stamp:
proof of Gardone (crown over lion in circle)".
Pictures included.
Please, Comrades... as more as You can information (for my records)!
1. Pic: 7-Beretta 35 Right NO mark... Why NO mark?
2. Pic: 3-Beretta 35 Left Eagle... What Eagle means?
3. Pic: 4-Beretta 35 Left F mark... What "F" mark means?
I've got this Beretta in 2012 for Total $355.00 with S&H. Delivered to my door.
 

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#32 ·
Your '35 was produced under German control around March 1944 and at that time they used many punchs from previous years (Brescia with lion and crown, Royal Air force, 4UT,....) because the mint that produced them was on the Southern Italy, under Allied control.
So you can see the Royal Air force marking while Northern italy was under a Republican state, but this don't means that the gun was assigned to a pilot.
Not always there were stamps on right side.
The "F" means "fuoco" or fire, it's is the safety mark.
 
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