Beautiful two-toned Beretta 1951 bastard

[crowtalks]

A few weeks ago, I was thinking about firearms I used to have and I recalled having an Israeli version of the Beretta Brigadier about thirty years ago and I started missing having one...so the other day, I ran across this mis-matched M951 Beretta and picked it up, and the more I look at it, the more I love it. None of the numbers match...it has a parkerized frame with a Helwan slide...but someone went to great lengths to two-tone this beauty...by adding a chromed slide, trigger, hammer, safety, slide catch, mag release and mag floor. They also replace (I assume) the barrel since the locking lugs look barely used and the bore is nice and shiny...and added walnut Beretta grips to round out the attractiveness of this nice little shooter.

Because it is a frankenstein, I picked it up cheap, but it is one of the most unique looking Berettas I have ever seen.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Neat, but.....it appears to be out of battery? Unless thats due to the mismatched frame and slide. Even so, given the way those pistols lock up, Id be very hesitant to actually shoot it.

Welcome to THR! Interesting first post, for sure.

 

[crowtalks]

Neat, but.....it appears to be out of battery? Unless thats due to the mismatched frame and slide. Even so, given the way those pistols lock up, Id be very hesitant to actually shoot it.

Welcome to THR! Interesting first post, for sure.

Good catch! It was out of battery.

I had just reassembled it before the photos and hadn't fully cycled it. After I brought it home, I disassembled it and inspected it before I fired a mag through it and it and it shoots well.

Jim

 

[crowtalks]

Good catch! It was out of battery.

I had just reassembled it before the photos and hadn't fully cycled it. After I brought it home, I disassembled it and inspected it before I fired a mag through it and it and it shoots well.

Jim

I just posted new pics...

 

[sequins]

The two fine trigger is a great touch

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

There ya go!
The locking blocks are a potential wear/ breakage item on both the M51 and early M92s but they are not interchangeable between the two. The Helwan blocks are known for accelerated wear as well.
For many years, replacement M51 blocks weren't generally available, but since the recent influx of surplus Italian police pistols they have been showing up both as used original and new reproductions. This availability may not last long, so you might want to grab a spare if you plan on keeping the gun.

 

[crowtalks]

There ya go!
The locking blocks are a potential wear/ breakage item on both the M51 and early M92s but they are not interchangeable between the two.
For many years, replacement M51 blocks weren't generally available, but since the recent influx of surplus Italian police pistols they have been showing up both as used original and new reproductions. This availability may not last long, so you might want to grab a spare if you plan on keeping the gun.

Thanks!

Yeah, I recalled that from years ago and I checked the barrel when I 1st got it and the locking block seems barely worn (if at all)...I also have an additional original series barrel and block in great shape in case the block on this one breaks (which they have been known to do).

I have been collecting Broomhandle Mausers for a few decades (remember when you could get them for $99 at gun shows?) and I learned long ago with them if I was planning on keeping and shooting old iron, I better find what wears and/or breaks and stock up when I can.

Jim

 

[FL-NC]

Looks kind of iraqi-ish. They had pistols like this, often adorned in various ways.

 

[crowtalks]

Looks kind of iraqi-ish. They had pistols like this, often adorned in various ways.

You're right, it does...

That is a very interesting viewpoint...I didn't think about that...

 

[bannockburn]

FL-NC

Looks kind of iraqi-ish. They had pistols like this, often adorned in various ways.

When I first looked at it I kind of got the same feeling, that it had spent some time in Iraq before it got here.

Might have something to do with the chrome plated Helwan slide!