Need help on price of handgun. Wanting to know what it's worth.?

Question

It is a .380 caliber, semi automatic, double action, seven round magazine. In above average but not excellent condition. Here is the problem. I do not know what brand of gun it is, doesn't say anywhere on the gun. Only thing on the gun is the number G35539 on the action and the frame, but not the barrel. Story I heard is that it came off of a dead Italian soldier in WW2 and was brought back to the U.S. Don't know if that's true or not, it's what my ex step dad told me. Also has PB on the grip, but might not be original. Sorry that's all I know. Anyone know A.What make of gun it is and B.How much it might be worth. Any feedback is appreciated.

Answer 1

Look the Pistol over again completely, there has to be more information on it somewhere, than what you have given us.*

Answer 2

probably an old Smith and Wesson or Ruger would be my guess on the make, if the stainless is showing on the barrel of the gun it is a good gauge of the age of it also. Usually the older the gun the more of the blueing has come off. As for the price I personally would not give over 300 for it. Usually these guns can be picked up in the local pawn shops anywhere from 50 to 250 dollars, more times than not around the 100 dollar range. Go by a couple of your local pawn shops and see what they are getting for them, that would give you more of an idea of what they are worth.

Answer 3

H gave a pretty good answer, But I would add the Beretta did offer psitols in 9mm short (what we call .380) as early as 1934. I have documentation for that date, but they may have offered it a little earlier as well. Many early ones were also in .25acp (6mm in europe) and as H noted .32 auto as well. Also, Beretta made contract weapons for other countries like rumania etc and most important, during the german occupation, they made them for the German army. Some of these may not have had much on them for markings, but there should still be some type of cartouche or other small stamped markings on them, they may just be hard to find. If all else fails, contact Beretta direct to obtain more info from their historian.

sometimes tracking down these things is a lot of fun, and sometimes they have a ton of interesting info on the firearm.

shoot safe

Answer 4

The best clue is the "PB."  Sounds like it could be:  Fabbrica D'Armi Pietro Beretta, currently known only as:  Beretta.

Two problems:  One, you say the "PB" grips may not be original.  Plus side, if they fit they may not be original but your gun most likely is a Beretta.  If it looks like they were modified to fit your gun than it probably is a copy of a Beretta.

Next problem:  WW2 vintage?  Hmmm, most handguns that size were issued in .32 Auto rather than .380 acp during the second war.

My best guess?  It is a Beretta Model 34 (single-stack magazine) of more recent manufacture than WWII due to its calibration.  It is possible that your Beretta was of WWII vintage, just unusual since it is not a .32 acp and therefore even more desirable.  You have a nice handgun whether or not it is from WWII.

H