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LOT 540
Very Scarce Presentation Grade Pietro Beretta Yemeni Contract M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. E06258, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/parkerized finish, walnut stock. Originally equipped with large quantities of American-supplied M1 Garand Rifles, in the 1950s the Italian Government sought a local source for both new rifles and spare parts. Equipped with machinery left over from Winchester’s U.S. contract run, Beretta took on this task with aplomb, with an output every bit as good as you’d expect from one of Europe’s oldest arms makers. While mainly occupied with keeping Italy armed, and later shifting to the upgraded “BM-59” pattern battle rifle, Beretta is known to have filled a limited number of M1 Garand export contracts, including one for Yemen. Only a small quantity of these rifles made it to Yemen (then the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, or North Yemen), estimated at less than 2000. Few have made their way to the States, with most examples believed to have been captured by Egyptian forces during the North Yemen Civil War and later released to American import firms. Blade and peep sights, with a “NI- C” marked elevation drum. The left side of the receiver has the serial number and “PIETRO BERETTA/MADE IN ITALY”, and a pair of Yemeni crests are present on top of the receiver heel. Both the bolt and barrel are unmarked, with a bright high polish blue finish, with an “SA” trigger housing, hammer, and relief cut operating rod, and an “IHC” safety. Smooth fancy walnut pistol grip stock, with a green canvas sling and a checkered steel buttplate. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel and bolt show 95% plus bright high polish finish, with minor handling marks, and the parkerized components are in equally fine condition. The stock is very fine, with mild scratches and dents overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 541
Unique Early Production Beretta/Golden State Arms M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. P0013, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. One of the first M1 Garand rifles to be made expressly for the commercial market, these rifles were manufactured by Beretta for the Santa Fe Division of Golden State Arms. While later Golden State would start making its own copies of the M1 and Beretta’s BM-59 rifle, to mixed results, these first ones were made to the highest standards using original military contract tooling and materials; exactly what one would expect from one of Italy’s oldest arms makers. Blade front and peep rear sights with “PB” windage and “NI- C” elevation drums, “S-A 1-52” barrel, “SA” bolt, trigger housing, hammer, safety, and relief cut operating rod. The stock is unmarked, with glass bedding at the receiver and trigger housing and a green canvas sling. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original parkerized finish, showing bright wear on the high edges and bearing surfaces, along with some light handling marks. The stock is fine, with some light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 542 Exceptional Danish Navy Contract Breda M1/1950 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. BMR310, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in Italy on contract for Denmark, with the “anchor/10450” engraving on the sight cover indicating Navy issue. Blade front and peep rear sights, with “BREDA/MECCANICA ROMANA/ITALIA” on the left side of the receiver and “crown/FKF” and the serial number on top of the heel. A Danish VAR-marked “6-61” barrel is installed, with a mix of Breda and Beretta components. The smooth stock is marked “2479” on the com, with a checkered steel buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the arsenal quality parkerized finish, showing some light edge wear and handling marks overall. The stock is very fine, with scattered light dings and compression dents overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 543 Danish Contract Beretta M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. P.B.411, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in Italy for Denmark. Blade front and adjustable peep sights with “PB” windage drum, the receiver heel marked “crown/FKF” over the serial number. The barrel is “B.Sid” and “1954” marked, with a Breda bolt numbered “9688” and recoil spring guide, Beretta trigger housing, hammer, safety, and an unmarked relief cut operating rod. The stock is numbered to match on the left side, with a checkered steel buttplate. CONDITION: Very fine, with 85% of the original parkerized finish, showing bright wear on the high points and bearing surfaces, along with some scattered light handling marks. Some parts show a coating of storage grease. The stock is fine, with a number of scattered dents and scratches overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
NOTICE THE DANISH NAVY ANCHOR MARKINGS
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