Benelli Model B76, Import Marked, Matte Black 4 ¼” DA Semi-Automatic Pistol, Mags & Box, MFD 1980
SOLD FOR: $1,071
LSB#: 160133WM28
Make: Benelli, Italy Imported by Sile Inc.
Model: B76
Serial Number: 003690
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable 8 Round Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “003690 / BENELLI ARMI S.P.A. – URBINO – ITALY / MOD. B76”. The left side of the frame is marked with a “* / Shield” proof, a boxed “AF” date code, a “* / PSF” proof and “003690”, while the front face of the slide is marked with a “* / Shield” proof. The right side of the slide is marked with the import mark “SILE INC. N.Y.-N.Y. / U.S. PAT. NO. 3,893,369”. The top of the barrel at the port is marked “9 PARA / 003690”. The slide release is marked “2”.
Barrel Length: 4 ¼”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the front of the slide with a nearly vertical rear face. The rear face of the sight was made for a white strip up the center. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed into the top of the slide. There is a vertical white strip on either side of the square notch, providing a three “dot” aiming system for quick sight acquisition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with a lacquered finish. The left grip shows a few light marks near its top below the safety. The right grip shows thinning in the finish along its smooth top with a single ding and several tiny marks along with light scratches from aggressive polishing. There is also a compression mark at the front of the grip near the bottom. The checkering shows extremely light wear without mars. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: The slide and frame have a dark black dull blued finish. The trigger, hammer and breechblock have ‘Industrial Hard Chrome’ finish.
Finish Originality: We think the finish is original. The finish on the frame is definitely original, with raised edges on the markings, and the slide finish matches the finish on the frame. There are scratches underneath the finish on the slide, but we think this is from lack of polishing at the factory before the slide was finished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is thinning on the edges of the slide release and safety and on the front bottom corners of the frame. There are scratches under the finish of the slide, but we think these are from lack of polishing at the factory before the finish was applied. The serrations on the right side of the slide are sharp and those on the left side are slightly worn along their top edges under the finish. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety is a little hard to engage but wipes off easily. The single action trigger pull has a small amount of creep. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with two 8 round magazines, its factory box, cleaning rod and paperwork. The magazines have a matte gray color with blued floorplates and black plastic followers. They show little to no wear and are in Excellent condition. However, we tried several different rounds in the magazine and while the ball ammo we tried functioned reliably, a Winchester Ranger 147 gr. factory hollow point was too long to feed through the magazine. The box is white Styrofoam with a blued cardboard sleeve. The sleeve is marked “Benelli / Armi” and with a picture of this pistol. One end panel is correctly marked with the make, model, caliber and serial number of this pistol. The sleeve shows surface loss on its edges, is frayed at the corners and one of the end panels is torn on one of its corners. The Styrofoam box is fitted for this pistol, an extra magazine, a cleaning rod and a bronze brush attachment. The inside of the box shows oil staining where it came into contact the metal. The box is in about Fine overall condition. The cleaning rod is blued steel with a plastic knob at one end, and is threaded for an attachment at the other. There is a bronze bore brush in the box that fits the cleaning rod, and neither appears to have been used. The paperwork consists of an Owner’s Manual, a guarantee and an order sheet for a Benelli pistol. All are in about Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: This is a Benelli Model B76 double action semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9mm Parabellum. It is in about Excellent condition with thinning on the front lower corners of the frame, the safety and the slide release. There are scratches under the finish of the slide, but we think this is from improper polishing at the factory before the slide was finished – the finish on the slide matches that of the frame perfectly and the marking on the frame are sharp with raised edges, so we are positive its finish is original. The grips show s few light marks and the top of the right grip shows thinning in its finish with light scratches from aggressive polishing. The checkering on the grips is sharp to the touch and the bore is bright with sharp rifling. This pistol doesn’t seem to have seen a lot of use. It has an all steel construction, which should stand-up well against the high pressures generated by 9mm rounds. It comes with two 8 round magazines and is perfect for home defense and for informal target shooting out at the range. It can also be used for concealed carry.
