WWI Italian MBT Model 1910 9mm Glisenti Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1910-15 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,825
LSB#: 200123HA01
Make: Metallurgica Bresciana gia Tempini (MBT)
Model: 1910 “Glisenti”
Serial Number: L435
Year of Manufacture: 1910-1915
Caliber: 9mm Glisenti (NOT 9mm luger)
Action Type: Striker-Fired, Short-Recoil Operated, Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The right of the slide at the rear is marked “L / 435”, the front of the frame is marked “435 / L”, the bottom of the barrel is marked “435L”. We did not disassemble the firearm completely, but all numbered parts observed were marked “435” including trigger, sideplate, grip safety, magazine latch, and grip panels. Most small parts also have a small five pointed star marking. The top of the slide is marked with an ovalled “MBT” monogram and “BV” in rectangle. The right-rear of the frame is marked “TM” in oval and crowned “FAB / 1910” in circle. The left of the magazine body at the bottom is marked “TM” in oval, the right is marked “GG” and “74”.
Barrel Length: 3 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base integral to a boss at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the top-rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels. The backstrap has an integral lanyard loop and the grip safety in the frontstrap is checkered. The grips have light-moderate handling wear with scattered thinning finish, discoloration from age and oil, nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The right panel has a crack from the retainer-tab head up to the top edge. The checkering has handling wear but is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in about Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There appears to be some minor erosion in the grooves, but most or all of this may prove to be stubborn fouling after a patient cleaning.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are small spots of very minor surface oxidation scattered throughout with more notable oxidation in the grip straps, a spot of surface erosion at the muzzle on the left, more notable finish wear at the leading corners of the slide and frame, and some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The knurling on the striker-wedge is worn. The grasping serrations on the rear of the bolt and the trigger have some finish loss filled with light surface oxidation. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has manual and grip safeties, the manual safety is located on the rear of the bolt (and still functions properly), the grip safety is located in the frontstrap (also properly functioning). The trigger is a little squishy, but quite smooth for a striker-fired trigger. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 7-round magazine. The magazine has light operational wear and some scattered light surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: Developed to replace the Italian Bodeo Model 1889 service revolver, inventor Bethel Revelli borrowed some design elements of the Mauser C96 as well as the Luger with the result being a short-recoil pistol with a similar mechanism to the Mauser while having a magazine which inserts in the grip like the Luger. Originally developed to fire .30-.32 caliber bottleneck cartridges, following military trials it was requested that the pistol be chambered for a cartridge similar to the 9mm Luger cartridge. The design was not strong enough to use the exact same cartridge, so the 9mm Glisenti was developed with the same exterior dimensions, but with a lighter load. Due to these pistols being more than a century old, ammunition mix-ups, and the somewhat fragile nature of the design, not to mention most seeing use in the Great War, these pistols are not very common today and one with such strong mechanics is even less common. This will make a great addition to a WWI small-arms collection, as well as a collection of early autoloading pistols. For more information on this model, we recommend checking out the C&Rsenal channel on Youtube which has a great episode which goes into wonderful detail about this pistol’s development and service. Please see our photos and good luck!