BERETTA 92FS MARKINGS SERIAL
BERETTA 92FS MARKINGS CODE

This is pretty unique, I have no idea why Beretta marked their frame with another company's cage code.

BERETTA 92FS MARKINGS CODE

What's interesting is that the frame has Phrobis' cage code in it (75081), instead of Beretta's cage code (65490). I've never seen another 'USN' marked M9 frame, so I have no idea if this is a one-off or if there are others. The frame is marked 'USN' instead of 'US,' since this was made specifically for Navy testing. The 'Z' suffix indicates that the frame was made in Italy. The 'BER' prefix and 'Z' suffix are common on older civilian M9's.

BERETTA 92FS MARKINGS SERIAL

The Beretta frame was produced in 1990 and has the US military style markings, but with a civilian serial number. The slide also has the Phrobis cage code, 75081. Its has the same assembly number as a regular Beretta M9 slide, 9346487, but has an 'A' suffix to that number in order to distinguish it as a different part. The slide is engraved with 'USN' because it was specifically made for Navy testing. This provided more structure and less points for failure. The Phrobis slide has a closed top on it, as opposed to the open top the Beretta slides have. The government ended up buying the redesigned Beretta slides, but during this time Phrobis had created their own version of the M9 slide. In 1987, 3 Navy SEALs were injured when a few M9 slides failed, so Beretta needed to redesign the M9 in order to make them safer. Some of which have incorporated some very impressive technology.Just picked up this extremely unique pistol, it's a Beretta M9 with a Phrobis slide. While Beretta has been manufacturing semi-automatic pistols for over a century, it was the Model 92 that really brought the company fame.Īlthough Beretta is probably best known for their pistols and shotguns, they have produced more than a few notable rifles.

The M9 was manufactured exclusively in the United States per one of the conditions of the contract with Beretta.

The 9mm Beretta Model 92 was designated as the M9 by the military. In 1985 the Beretta Model 92 was selected by the United States armed forces to replace the M1911 that had been in use for so many years. It is noted that under the German take-over, the exterior finish of weapons suffered though operationally they were as good as ever.Īfter the war, Beretta designed weapons for the Italian armed forces, police, and the civilian market, which continues to the present day. The Germans seized control of Beretta, and they produced weapons until the 1945 surrender of Germany. The situation was different in Northern Italy as the German Wehrmacht was in control in the region. In 1526, the first product the company sold, to the Arsenal of Venice, was 185 barrels for arquebus rifles.īeretta manufactured pistols and rifles for the Italian military until the Armistice in 1943 with the Allies. The company has been in production since the early 1500s.

The company has supplied weaponry for every major European war since 1650. The company is privately held by the Beretta family and has been in business continuously since 1526 the company has always had a family member as owner.

Beretta is the commonly used shortened name for Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., based in Brescia, Italy.

Beretta 92fs markings