So I did a dumb, renewed my C&R for.. for a 7th go around, and fell into RTI's little trap. For a few months they have been advertising the Beretta M1934 and M1935, well, I like 32acps, and I already have a few 380's, so they kind of fit right in. These were made from the mid 30's thru the '70's. Used during WWII and commonly used as police sidearms, with commercial variants being made.
The examples I received first, just after Thanksgiving was a M1935 32acp marked VT. Gardone, which is a early post war production, the M1934 380 was produced in 1972. My second order, they had a pair of consecutive serialized M1934s in 380, again made in 1972, well I bit the bullet and got them as well. I'm not overly fond of the leather holsters they included, so I found 4 canvas Italian police holsters, and scored some original Beretta marked extra magazines. They all were in pretty decent shape, not much finish wear or mechanical wear, one thing I noted, they are all extremely tight to rack the slide on. Not sure if thats the nature of the beast or they were rebuilt at some point, and have to seat in.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/vffixqg1nuk2jjayurxt9/SAM_4136.JPG?rlkey=izquokjn9kl7j8kzsba2urjt7&st=j4j3bzvc&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/prch91cdrx6qg98rmprcv/SAM_4134.JPG?rlkey=epr4bs3js1bi0iyso1tj9y94s&st=1r2i38uq&dl=0)
They did at least provide the matching barrels for the consecutive serialed pistols, the other M1934, the barrel doesn't match, and the M1935, no clue where the original barrel is, but it's new as well.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/4qiysoorz1h3lq2lr0ppi/SAM_4146.JPG?rlkey=5ud7ikrns6kkfp7i7a2wejlvo&st=sugvlfk6&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/1yd5ysgeni5j748t5nq26/SAM_4147.JPG?rlkey=di3z1doljq9g2or8yjcpdtok9&st=c9p13jsm&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/dtv2ehg33ohjqfspmzkt5/SAM_4148.JPG?rlkey=025688kfdrc5bwmqib0pct8lt&st=e0eesgse&dl=0)
They replaced barrels on the C&R versions because they are all threaded, if you were to purchase a pistol with a threaded barrel, it has to go to an 01 FFL. No clue on why all of these are threaded as such, silencers?? Brakes for the brutal recoil rofl2
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/j1xhqk0lf9q7a657i8bg9/SAM_4130.JPG?rlkey=hkcso90mn1ju1hmgb3ol73ta8&st=vtlev07y&dl=0)
Honestly, the originals were kind of nasty, here is the cleanest one.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/hnpcq3ebuelvtprou11kn/SAM_4129.JPG?rlkey=l06lpz7fv4zcj9pw1lk2muaf1&st=crwa3bk7&dl=0)
Another oddity, along with the threading, they are all import marked..... Switzerland.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/gwhc38s3gomhifs8rlxuk/SAM_4126.JPG?rlkey=7q36gspna932zo70rg7h7h7fx&st=tjcweem3&dl=0)
Slide marking and proofs on the M1935
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/zwxbtvtwswapdkoftv4bg/SAM_4122.JPG?rlkey=nvdss2f9ycwadc377thvo6xeh&st=natsdpnn&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/8xlicu9hev9i5gras6zy8/SAM_4121.JPG?rlkey=s53y3p7jaowdqdenkegwkrv9t&st=ft4d1s48&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/rah5glis3fu983u2dx0ru/SAM_4119.JPG?rlkey=5emzlcpveczrv4kykkkscbhur&st=82mkyp9l&dl=0)
The late production proofs and stamps on the M1934s
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/oo47k4awpu27bj1zp2lup/SAM_4123.JPG?rlkey=ai7nosqoj5jtji5cvmknbhbr8&st=cxaxrk46&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/nl7v7oa9h81e5d5x1hu92/SAM_4124.JPG?rlkey=efb4lhocfpenvf6a71pvhug37&st=6dkhg94i&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/rah5glis3fu983u2dx0ru/SAM_4119.JPG?rlkey=5emzlcpveczrv4kykkkscbhur&st=jsrljl1t&dl=0)
Extra Beretta marked magazines, 32acp magazines must not be that common, cost wise you can pick up 2 380 mags for every 1 32 mag.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/sfrrrn7p1um53qxae4lre/SAM_4141.JPG?rlkey=w7pdchj01jy8vmd84doqnn959&st=xw47i4gy&dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/9r6tlccv97rzrykmufxpr/SAM_4142.JPG?rlkey=1vgl0a9gcscfnx3jbq1qfsabv&st=nialw8nx&dl=0)
Canvas Italian surplus holsters, look much better than the stiff leather ones.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/ga0vsco9xr1h37tnv8xib/SAM_4143.JPG?rlkey=v038u7jc640rnndxyu6qux2tb&st=s2a4c652&dl=0)
Me likey GM thumb1 :)
Nice set GM! thumb1
I'm going to have to decide whether to renew my C&R or not in '27. I've had one continuously since 2002 so this would be my seventh as well i think. Dang, I'm getting old!
Honestly don't know what I'm going to do (will likely renew, it's only $30 and well worth it in case a rare gun pops up and you want to nab it fast).
Beautiful old school firearms GM. They always get the most attention. thumb1 Like The canvus pouches too. Easy to store without any holster wear or scratches. I have a few SkS canvas covers and love em. Bought a couple P64s from RTI. One of the best out there. ;)
The consecutive SNs are super cool. I need one...or four?! rofl
Here's Ian's relative recent video (May 2025) on these pistols. Quite a good description of the mechanics. Also starting around 14:25 into the video he discusses the threaded barrel, which resulted from the importation requirement for the small caliber pistols and the GCA-68 "points system". Apparentlyo US importers had the exporters thread the barrels and add a smooth bore barrel extension in order to get to the requisite 75 point score. That whole points system is as bizarre and pointless as 922(r)
https://youtu.be/WvqKVL7cLX8?si=Gb_yev0Xg1dFlP4B
Thanks.. thumb1 Yeah, I suggest.... think1 4 to start
ooof.. interesting video, and the threaded explanation, just wow, I get it, it kind of probably falls back to the days of cheap "Saturday night specials", Rohm blow apart revolvers and such... but begs the question of what idiocracy comes up with these laws. I know... I know... your preaching to the choir son... rofl