Need a value

[Guest Rugerman]

Have a beretta M1934 made in 1940, with markings pointing to italian army issue and the fascist dating. No rust anywhere, very nice bore. Bluing is worn in the usual places, but gun is in great shape. What kind of money would one expect to get from one of these guns in this shape? Where would be the best place to market such a gun? Thanks!

[KahrMan]

FWIW - Here is what Blue Book says:

MODEL 1934

- 7.65mm or .380 ACP cal., (9mm Corto cal.), 3 3/8 in. barrel, fixed sights, blue, plastic grips, Italy's service weapon in WWII, one of the most common Beretta pistols - over one million manufactured between 1934-80, many of the military pistols have a parkerized finish, usually fit with metal-backed grips, later guns have an alphabetical prefix. Post-war production (1946) serial numbers start with C00001.

Grading 100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%

$550 $425 $325 $275 $200 $175 $150

Add 10% for high polish, unless post-war production.

Add 20% for Italian Air Force.

Add 300% for post-war commercial deluxe pistols which were engraved, gold plated, and cased with a spare mag. and cleaning brush.

[Guest Rugerman]

Thanks Kahr man.

[DaveTN]

Have a beretta M1934 made in 1940, with markings pointing to italian army issue and the fascist dating. No rust anywhere, very nice bore. Bluing is worn in the usual places, but gun is in great shape. What kind of money would one expect to get from one of these guns in this shape?

I looked on GB for ones that actually sold. The only one that came up sold for $500. There is one that was just listed yesterday. You can watch it and see what it sells for.

I don’t pay any attention to what anything lists for; just what they sell for.

Where would be the best place to market such a gun? Thanks!

I would start right here. If it doesn’t move I would go to GoLSN and then to the national boards.

[Guest Rugerman]

Thanks, I have two of these. This one, and one that you can read about in the handgun forum. The other one is NOT for sale. I think I have a buyer for this one.

[Guest jth_3s]

Blue book isnt the place to check gun prices. Id look on gunbroker or gunsamerica at completed auctions

[Warbird]

Does it have machining marks? Does it have a firing pin safety? Go to military collectors sites and when you decide to sell, do so on AuctionArms.com. They specialize in collectors arms and military arms.

There are many variables which make a gun of this sort a highly prized piece (upper end of the value scale) or another run of the mill easily available model (bottom end of the value scale). Collectors of certain guns want every variation. Know your product and then put it out there. The bluing left and such things is not the be all end all of old pieces the way it is determining newer guns. Lots of factors.

Don't potentially leave money on the table offering to people who don't know their product or who don't know the variations and just give you a run of the mill estimate. You could have an easily found model meaning collectors may or may not be interested. On the other hand it could be a variation worth much more than most of its kind.

Old WWII pistols, rifles, Mausers and the like all have examples of prized and run of the mill guns. A Beretta isn't just a Beretta any more than a Luger is just a Luger.

Edited September 23, 2008 by Warbird