The left side of the slide has the two line Beretta legend with the date "1936-XVI", all highlighted in white. The left grip tang has the Italian Army crown over RE marking. Matching serial number on frame and slide. Fitted with standard metal backed black plastic grips with "PB" emblem.

Excellent. The pistol retains 95% plus original high polished blue finish with some scattered minor edge wear, a few patches of gray patina, and a spot minor pitting on right forward side of slide and front gripstrap. The grips are excellent with the exception of a few minor handling marks.

The left side of the slide is marked "P.BERETTA-CAL 6.35 BREVETTATA / GARDONE V.T. 1943-XXI". The left grip tang is stamped with an Italian Air Force spread wing eagle marking. Matching serial number on slide and frame. Fitted with metal backed plastic grips with "PB" emblem. In the book BERETTA AUTOMATIC PISTOLS, author J.B. Wood concludes that 6.35 mm Beretta pistols may have seen some military service but there is no official government purchase and he has not personally seen this pistol with military markings.

Fine. The slide retains 50% faded original blue finish with balance a smooth brown patina with some minor edge wear and some pin point pitting. The frame retains 70% blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The grip straps have a smooth brown patina. There are a couple hairline cracks, otherwise the grips are very fine with some minor scratches.