SOLD - Romanian Contract 1941 Beretta Model 1914 - Jan Still Collection

Description

1/6/25 - From the collection of Jan Still, well-known author of collector resource books such as "Axis Pistols", "Third Reich Lugers", and more. Comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity from the Sill family. This is an Italian Beretta manufactured in 1941 under contract with Romania. All matching, but it is import marked on the top of the barrel. In August 1940, Romania placed a contract with Beretta for 61,000 Model 1934s. However only 40,000 could be delivered on account of the acute shortage of materials. The first guns 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 never delivered. There are some reports that the delivered amount was as high as 41,500. It's probable that the relationship with Romania ended with the consignment of a further small batch of 1,000 or 1,500 pistols model 1934 supplied to the Ministry of Navy and Air Force (MAM) before the end of 1941. The Romanian Berettas are identified by the slide legend which states “Cal.9 Scurt” rather than “cal.9 Corto” as well as having their own serial number range. 00001 thru 40,000. Most Romanian Berettas will have (CM) on the right frame tang and initials of an Italian inspector. Most Romanian Berettas seen today are import marked and have replaced barrels. This pistol does have the (CM) inspector mark on the right rear tang. There is almost no actual finish loss, just a few tiny handling marks here and there. Fitted with period-correct grips and comes with one proper magazine. Nice bore with good rifling.