Old Beretta Model 951

[CAB]

I'm trying to help out my Dad by trying to find out about his hand gun. If anybody can help I would really appreciate it.
It is a Model 951 and is stamped made in Italy with a very low serial number and has these markings:

PISTOLA s.a. BERETTA Cal. 9m/m PARABELLUM
GARDONE V.T. 1971
GARCIA SPORTING ARMS WASH., D.C.

It also has some markings and symbols stamped on the "beaver tail" that are hard to make out without visual assistance( I don't see as good as I used to and don't have glasses yet).

The gun is in good condition and shows only a small amount of wear from being holstered. There is also a slight amount of bluing wear that shows on the barrell due to the slide.

Thanks in advance,

CAB

 

[radom]

That is a nice one for a older gun. The safteys are a pain as they are a crossbolt but mostly the same as a M-9 army model except for single stack and mag and single action. The frame is steel and a well made gun, Issue army and police gun till the M-9 or 92 type came out in Italy. They are not that common also. It is to the 92 like the FN 49 is to the FAL. I would not at all mind having one,it would make my day

 

[mept]

I have a clone of the 951. They have been produced by Beretta and Maadi and Helwan for numerous countries military and police in very high quantities. It seems that for the period they came out (designed 1951) almost every country that didn't have a high power or 1911 had these, may be a slight over exageration. Mine is in rough shape from purchase but after being returned cleaned up well enough for the price. The thing that I find funny is that the successor the 92 is perfect in my hands, accurate and ergonomically perfect. the 951 is just the opposite, difficult slide release, safety, mag channel, poor sights, etc etc, but I like it anyway. Try Barnes and noble to look up a book I believe is titled modern Beretta handguns, or the complete book of modern Berettas. I found much info regarding the 951 and its clones and other Berettas. a very good book on beretta firearms. good luck and safe shooting.