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Joined: Jun 2020
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Boxlock
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OP
Boxlock
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As I read the marks, this is between 1923 and 1945 (based on known production start, and proof mark change). I don't see either a stamped year, or a Latin numeral for Mussolini's time, which their site says it should have. Anyone have any additional information?   
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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If I were dating Vittoria, I'd try to keep it a Secret!! RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Boxlock
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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Italy got to the proof game a bit late. All those marks were beaten into that gun by hand, probably by some poor SOB who had a boss that was on him constantly.
Maybe it didnt get that mark, or, it was hurriedly stamped somewhere it really didnt belong.
Have you checked further, looking at both sides of the lug, under the extractor, or perhaps further up the under rib, keeping an eye out for a partially polished off mark? How about both sides of the forend iron? Internally on the action, paying attention to flat surfaces where the wood meets the metal?
Not trying to be too critical, but, those photos lack detail. If I try to expand them, they go soft immediately. Im not looking with a phone, either.
Good luck.
Best,
Ted
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Boxlock
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I'll try for better pics. The light was terrible, and the metal is stained.
I see a single mark that may be an I front center of the left lug, which would mean 1922, except AFAIK this gun wasn't made before 1923.
Further up the barrel are chamber marks and pressure test marks. I'll get photos of everything.
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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Ted's correct about Italy being late to adopt compulsory proof. 1925. And the Roman numeral date codes weren't used until 1945. The original proofmarks under the 1925 law lasted until 1950. So you're not likely to get much specific help dating a gun made before 1945.
Have you tried asking Beretta??
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Boxlock
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The information I have came from the Beretta website. https://berettausa.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/101It says they used the Roman numeral dates starting in 1922, and used a different sequence of them after the war. Notable exceptions occurred during the reign of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. The Italian Proof House utilized a Roman Numeral system marking representing in which year of his reign the firearm was manufactured. This began with "I" in 1922. The first Beretta firearm using this dating system was the Model 1934 pistol (introduced in 1935), thus the year was indicated as XIII (usually marked on the slide) and thus referring to the 13th year of Mussolini's reign. This practice ended in 1945 with XXIII at the close of WWII, and the chart below resets the Roman Numeral marking to "I". It should be noted that some wartime production firearms were void of any marking to indicate the production date. It is believed that this was omitted in an effort to produce as many pistols as possible for the war effort.
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Boxlock
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So it may be 1945 production, based on the loose I and the production range of the gun.
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Sidelock
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Sidelock
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The people at Beretta have told you, in cryptic fashion, that they did not use the year marking system until 1935.
I would expect there was a reason for that. I dont know what it was.
Best,
Ted
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