I believe that the recent imports are police turn-ins. I had to have one too! They are good little pistols.

 

Surely police guns: in 1966 the army did not buy old guns like the '34 but waited new gus like the '92.
Which police only you can say: there is some mark like PS or GF on it?

 

The 1934 in .380 and the 1935 in .32 ACP remained in commercial production into the 1970s and are still carried by smaller municipal police and private security organizations.

My retired Carabinieri contact says that the M1934 remains a popular off duty and plainclothes gun for Federal police who are the only officers authorized off-duty carry. It was also carried by deployed Carabinieri on UN medical or civil affairs missions where more discreet arms were needed to present a "less aggressive" appearance.

 

In the 1960s the Italian Army and Federal Police ware issuing the M1951 in 9x19mm. Solid guns. Here are the markings on mine. PS is Policia di Stato.

 

In the 1960s the Italian Army and Federal Police ware issuing the M1951 in 9x19mm. Solid guns. Here are the markings on mine. PS is Policia di Stato.

Sorry but it's wrong: the 951 was adopted only by the "Polizia di Stato" (right the "PS" ) and by some special branch of the Marina Militare like the "Lagunari". Italian Army never adopted the 951.

 

Most 1934's I have seen on the market are veteran bring backs or pre-68 guns. Right now, my '43 is my only .380, and it's a great shooter.

 

I have several of the recent RTI import 1934 and 1935 Berettas. They are all marked as being imported from Switzerland. So probably from the Swiss police.

 

In 1978 when we did an JCET with the Italian Incursores in Livorno, they still had M1934 pistols for each man, along with a BM59 (Para) and a M12 SMG. John