Description
This Beretta 9mm Parabellum, serial number B47817Z, featured a 4.9” barrel and was manufactured in 1980, bearing the “AF” date code on the trigger guard. The pistol’s right side shows the Berben import mark, Beretta’s first U.S. importer before Garcia. What truly sets this pistol apart are the unique markings. The right side of the dust cover displays a laser-engraved “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” marking, a rare find, in contrast to the stamped serial number on the opposite side.
The left side of the slide also features the laser-engraved inscription “U.S. ARMY TEST WEAPON” under the Beretta logo. However, there is no proof that this pistol was used in U.S. Army testing. Notably, genuine Army test weapons from that era would have been stamped, not laser engraved.
The early design includes a right-handed, slide-mounted safety/de-cocker with a button-topped lever instead of the later, more familiar elongated pad. The back strap has a lanyard loop, and the magazine release is positioned on the left side in the European style. The smooth walnut grips are adorned with gold-colored U.S. Army medallions, adding to its unique appearance. These unique features, though the overall configuration suggests a possible spurious heritage, make this pistol a rare and exciting find.
The pistol comes with two factory 15-round magazines, one with a flat steel base and the other with a cast alloy base. It is in impeccable condition, with light wear, mainly on the slide’s high edges and minor dents on the grips. This distinctive piece, in such excellent condition, combines historical intrigue with a well-preserved original finish, making it a fascinating collector’s item.
