Tag Archives: Beretta 38

Italy Selling off 16,000 Vintage SMGs

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The Italian Defense Industries Agency (L’Agenzia Industrie Difesa) recently announced it is accepting bids for 16,165 assorted Moschetti Automatici Beretta, or MAB, submachine guns. Brig. Gen. Massimo Boschetto detailed in a tender announcement that the guns are located at three naval bases, Taranto (7,512), La Spezia (8,404), and Augusta (249), and are being sold as-is/where-is and sans magazines.

The MAB, Beretta’s Model 1938 submachine gun in 9mm Para, was a big hit for the company and can still be found in limited service around the world.

Moschetti Automatici Beretta Model 1938 sub machine gun
The MAB was a staple not only of the Italian military during WWII but also saw widespread use with guerrilla/resistance groups of all stripes and ultimately was in service with over 30 nations. 
Moschetti Automatici Beretta Model 1938 sub machine gun
It was one of the more successful sub-guns of the conflict and was a favorite of Italian marine, mountain troop, and paratrooper units, seen here with “samurai” magazine holders. 

A brainchild of Beretta’s storied chief engineer Tullio Marengoni – who also designed the Beretta M15, M17, M35 and M51 pistols, the latter the basis for the famed Model 92 – the MAB was first fielded in 1938 and remained in production until the early 1960s when it was replaced in the company’s catalog by the M12 SMG.

It is believed over 1 million MAB/Model 1938s were produced in a dozen variants.

Moschetti Automatici Beretta Model 1938 sub machine gun
This case in the Beretta Private Collection is full of assorted Model 38s with early circa 1930s Model 38As to the left and more simplified Model 38/44s and 38/49s to the right. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Moschetti Automatici Beretta Model 1938 sub machine gun
Several MAB variants exist in U.S. museums and in the collection of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, brought back from all over the globe. (Photos: SANHS)
Moschetti Automatici Beretta Model 1938 sub machine gun
Even after the Italian army and national gendarmerie (Carabinieri) hung up the MAB in the 1960s and 70s, it remained in service with the Italian air force, as seen in these images during a NATO exercise in 1985, vibing alongside U.S. Air Force Security Police at Aviano Air Base. (Photos: USAF via the National Archives). 
Moschetti Automatici Beretta Model 1938 sub machine gun
And it endured with the Italian navy for both base and ship defense, seen here aboard the training ship Amerigo Vespucci, which recently took part in the Sail 250 events in Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston. (Photos: Italian Navy).

While current ATF import regulations don’t allow for these beautiful and historic guns to be brought in intact for commercial sale, should a U.S. importer manage the high bid (which is likely), we could soon see some very nice parts kits show up over here.

The Flotsam of History

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In early February 1807, in Prussian Silesia, French Field Marshal Michel Ney’s cavalry clashed with mounted elements of Russian Lt. Gen. Karl Gustav von Baggovut’s column in the snow outside of the small village of Waltersmühl, causing Gen. Pyotr Bagration to send reinforcements to Bagavout’s aid, and a constant running combat was kept up until nightfall when the Russians withdrew in good order.

It was a nightmarish day of cavalry charge and counter-charge, sans the boorish interference of artillery and infantry. A day of lances and sabers. Horses, steel, and leather. Death the old-fashioned way, with lots of elan and honor. 

The indecisive skirmish, which left Baggovut seriously wounded with a French lance splinter in his chest, was one of the opening actions of what would be remembered as the great pyrrhic Battle of Eylau— which itself saw some of the greatest massed cavalry charges in history.

Fast forward to 1945 and the Russians were back during the tail-end of WWII, this time under a Red Banner, and occupied Waltersmühl. Soon after the war, the region became part of Poland and today Waltersmühl is known as Konradowo.

Last week, during the renovation of an old building in the village, workers discovered three firearms and 403 assorted cartridges concealed inside an attic floor. The guns included a bolt-action Mauser 98K, a Beretta 38 submachine gun, and a Sturmgewehr 44, the latter with three magazines.

Cue the “Jesus, I’ve seen what you’ve done for other people” memes:

The guns were likely stashed “just in case” near the tail-end of WWII when the Soviet Red Army was steamrolling through the area on its way to Berlin.

The fact that the guns were never retrieved although Russian troops only left Poland after 1993, may point to the possibility that the individual who created the cache did not survive the initial stages of the occupation, or was deported soon after the change in flags.

Odds are, if you dig in the garden behind the house, you may find a saber or lance points.