Rare Beretta M1918/30 Semi Automatic Rifle 9mm Police Carbine WWI C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,751.00
WOA#: WY240707DW001
Make: Beretta Pietro
Model: M1918/30
Serial Number: 4832
Year of Manufacture: 1930’s-1950’s
Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: Semi Automatic / Closed Bolt
Markings:The top of the receiver is marked “PIETRO BERETTA – GARDONE VALLE TROMPIA – ITALIA – CAL. 9” lengthwise, with “MADE IN ITALY/BREVETTO 1918-1930/A /4832” at the rear.
Barrel Length: 12.5 “ round barrel with folding spike bayonet
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a standard blade front sight with a tangent rear sight graduated from 1-5 (100-500)
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is walnut. The LOP measures 14 ?” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about very fine overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: One 25 Round 9mm Magazine is included with this rifle. The mag is in excellent shape only showing wear in the right places. As we would expect to see from a C&R Piece of this age, the wear is from use and not from damage.
Type of Finish: Blued turned to Patina
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and reflective and the rifling is very strong. There is no erosion in the bore. There is some fouling however.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 89% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some scattered blue left behind but a nice gray patina with hardly any wear. The wear we do see is operational wear. The screw heads are sharp, serviceable, and functional with strong slots. The pins are serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about very fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions flawlessly. The magazine fit is very tight and in this writer’s opinion there should be no malfunction with this firearm. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The butt-trap compartment contains an original two piece cleaning rod; One 25 Round 9mm Magazine is included with this rifle
Our Assessment: This is a fine example of a rare Beretta Model 1918/30 semi-automatic carbine. This series of carbines were actually a modified copy of the Villar Perosa produced submachine gun as designed by Tullio Marengoni, who was the primary designer of all Beretta submachine guns until the late 1950s. This model can be found in both a full automatic and a semi-automatic version, such as this one and also there were two feed versions; one that fed from the top of the receiver via 25 round magazine and this one which is a later version that feeds from the bottom also using a 25 round clip. This carbine functions as a blow-back operated, closed bolt weapon that has a floating firing pin. This unique weapon is cocked by pulling a small ring on the rear of the receiver, with a small bolt release on the right side of the receiver. The top of the receiver is marked “PIETRO BERETTA – GARDONE VALLE TROMPIA – ITALIA – CAL. 9” lengthwise, with “MADE IN ITALY/BREVETTO 1918-1930/A /4832” at the rear.
In the 1930s the semi automatic Mod.1918/30 model was developed; It completely revamped the action of the gun, replacing the delayed-blowback Villar Perosa action with a new closed-bolt system with a loose firing pin that was cocked by a guided rod protruding from the rear of the receiver, with a ring-shaped cocking piece. This earned the gun the nickname “Il Siringone” (“The Syringe”). The magazine feed was also revamped, now taking straight box magazines from the underside of the receiver. The folding bayonet was retained on most models. Few examples of the Model 1918 survive, since the Mod.1918/30 was produced by converting existing Mod.1918s.
The weapon has a standard 25 round magazine capacity (which is included with this gun). The underside of the stock has a sliding dust cover over the magazine well with a cross-sliding safety mounted ahead of the trigger. It has a standard blade front sight with a tangent rear sight graduated from 1-5 (100-500) with a barrel mounted folding bayonet. It is fitted with a one-piece walnut stock with a side mounted sling swivel, leather sling and a steel buttplate. The butt-trap compartment contains an original two piece cleaning rod.
The Model 1918/30 is a semi auto-only carbine made by Beretta in between the early Model 1918 submachine guns and the excellent Model 38 family. It was marketed and sold primarily to security and police forces, for whom the semiautomatic limitation was not a particular hindrance. It is chambered for the 9mm Glisenti cartridge, which is dimensionally identical to 9×19 Parabellum but more lightly loaded.
Mechanically the carbine is a simple blowback design, and very light and handy. It has a rather short barrel (12.5 inches), but has been exempted from the NFA regulations on short-barreled rifles. Magazines were made in 12- and 25-round capacities (the one seen here is a 25-rounder).
For a history buff or WWI Collector it is hard to find just the right item to scratch an itch sometimes. As far as this writer is concerned it doesn’t get much more rare than this. It is a 12.5 inch barreled carbine that is C&R but not on the NFA prohibited list. The rifle is in Fine shape and deserves to be in a museum. Please take a look at our high quality photos and enjoy th auction.-K.F.
