MBT Glisenti Model 1910 9mm Luger Semi-Auto Pistol, MFD 1910-1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1175
LSB#: 210506MW47
Make: Metallurgica Brescia gia Tempini (MBT)
Model: Glisenti Model 1910
Serial Number: Q1259
Year of Manufacture: 1910-1914 (The original run of pistols was 32000, consisting of 16 lots of 2000 each, each lot preceded by a letter of the alphabet, excluding “J” and “K”.)
Caliber: 9mm Glisenti (Although the same size as a 9mm Parabellum, it uses a reduced charge. 9mm Para. rounds must NOT be used in this pistol.)
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked with a scripted “MBT” in a circle and with “RV” inside a small shield. The right side of the receiver is marked “Q / 1259”. The right side of the frame is marked with “TM” in an oval and a “Crown / FAB / 1910” in a circle (FAB stands for Fabbrica d’Armi di Brescia and 1910 stands for the year of adoption of the weapon. The front face of the frame is marked “1259 / Q” and the left side of the grip safety behind the trigger is marked “892”. The underside rear of the slide is marked “Q”, with a “TM” in an oval and “1259”. The grips are marked with a Savoy Crest of a crowned Eagle with a cross on a shield.
Barrel Length: 3 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade fixed to a barrel band at the front of the barrel. The sight resembles an inverted “V” when viewed from the rear. The rear sight is “V” groove in a raised boss at the back of the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered ebonite with a large Savoy Crest in the center of the grips. The left panel is has a large chip missing from the heel and half the panel appears to have been patched. This panel is currently held to the grip frame with tape. There are several areas on both panels where the checkering is worn and in some spots is nicked away. The checkering is otherwise well-defined. Overall, the grips are in Poor-to-Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly dark with poorly defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 89% of its current metal finish. Both sides of the barrel have light surface oxidation under the finish and the muzzle has a scrape on the bottom, outside the crown. The receiver and frame have light surface oxidation under the finish throughout. The slide has light operational wear and scattered light surface oxidation. The markings are generally clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good condition, as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a grip safety, but not a manual safety. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one eight round nickel plated magazine. The lower left side is marked with “TM” in an oval. The magazine is in Very Good-plus condition
Our Assessment: From Wikipedia: “The creation of a service pistol to supplant the Bodeo Model 1889 began to be rumored in late 1903. The pistol was designed by Italian inventor Bethel Abiel Revelli. Revelli spent multiple years developing a prototype before patenting his design to Societa Siderugica Glisenti of Turin. The Glisenti company acquired the machinery to begin production from the United Kingdom in 1906 but sold the manufacturing rights to Metallurgica Brescia gia Tempini. The Model 1906 pistol was designed to fire a 7.65x22mm bottle-neck cartridge, but this didn’t impress the Italian Army, who wanted a round similar to the 9mm Parabellum. The 9mm Glisenti cartridge was developed as a reduced loading of the 9mm Parabellum, firing a 123 grain bullet at about 1000 fps, short of what a 9mm Parabellum would do, but more powerful than a .380 ACP.”. This example is refinished and as such looks good overall. This pistol will serve as a fine introduction to WWI pistol collecting. Good luck and happy bidding!