2nd Beretta Model 1934 Serial "AA" Suffix Nazi Contract added

[lkgmadmax]

Well guys I was not looking for it this piece, it found me

This is a 1943 German Contract pistol earlier that the 40XXAA I added a week ago, this one is a serial 10XXAA with the slide dated 1943 Vs 1944. I picked this one up for 595.00 USD so I think I did OK, I will know more about the finish of the pistol once I have it in hand. Pictures don't always do justice. According to the books I've read the German contract "AA" & "BB" serial numbered pistols are considered on the rare side. Pistol comes with a 3 day inspection period.

[kanister]

This is one of the 19803 Beretta produced UNDER German control, non for German contract.
When in September 1943 the Germans toke control of the Beretta factory established that the Model 1934 had to be discontinued, but production continued with left over parts: so we can explain the mix of date 1943-XX, 1943-XXI and 1944.
These guns, like the Model 1935, were delivered to Germans, and then they decided to whom these had to be consigned, mainly Italian troops.

[lkgmadmax]

This is one of the 19803 Beretta produced UNDER German control, non for German contract.
When in September 1943 the Germans toke control of the Beretta factory established that the Model 1934 had to be discontinued, but production continued with left over parts: so we can explain the mix of date 1943-XX, 1943-XXI and 1944.
These guns, like the Model 1935, were delivered to Germans, and then they decided to whom these had to be consigned, mainly Italian troops.

Kanister thank you for your comments. If you don't mind me asking what source are you referencing regarding the M1934 & M1935 Berettas?

I have read several books that specifically say that the Beretta company had a contract with the German Army to produce 10K pieces on the serial suffix AA and 10K on the suffix BB. The source I'm looking at at this moment is: "German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945 Volume II" written by Lt. Col. Robert D. Whittengton III, U.S. Army (Ret)

There is a letter copy in the book dated 31st Jan 1979 from "Pietro Beretta" outlining the contract information I'm referring to. If you would like to provide me your email address I will be glad to take a snap shot of the information. There is also a mention that some of the pistols produced under the German control were stamped with the German acceptance stamp.

Page 139 & 140 Quantity 18,903 Serial Numbers 0001AA to 10000AA Period April- July 1944
0001BB to 8903BB After July 1944

Total production quantity: 18,903

[lkgmadmax]

OK I've re-read the article in the book, we will drop the term "contract". The book and letter from Beretta clearly states that the AA & BB pieces were specifically made for and sold to "The German Headquarters in Italy during WWII"

[kanister]

18903 or 19803: it' only a typewriting mistake.

I know the book you are speaking about, but it's only a problem of words: in the Whittington's letter the Beretta Company uses the expression "production", not "commercial order". If you know a little of Italian history you can understand that the Beretta could not refuse that "order": Germans have taken control of the whole factory.