1915 – 1922, when it was superseded by the much modified Modello 1915/19
08. Adopted by
The Italian Royal Army. Also used by Italian Police forces. A 7.65mm variant was used by the Italian Navy
09. Production quantities
15,300 (9mm variant only)
10. Mechanism
A straight blow-back semi-automatic with a concealed hammer. Fitted with two safeties. The detachable magazine, released by a heel catch on the butt, holds seven rounds
11. Weight
850g empty
12. Mountings
13. Practicality in action
Compact and reliable. Simple to strip down for cleaning, with a captive recoil spring. Unsafe if loaded in error with 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition. The correct 9×19 Glisenti ammunition was easily identifiable by its 124grain truncated-cone jacketed bullet
14. Comments / Other information
This was the first self-loading pistol manufactured by Beretta. Some remained in service until the mid 1930s. Few, if any, were made for commercial sale