Beretta 1951 and Helwan pistols

[gopguy]

With all the rough news out of the Middle East it reminded me I have a few guns in my collection that have played a role in the region so I thought I would post up my Beretta 1951 pistols and older Egyptian Helwans. As most of you know the Israelis and the Egyptians used the Beretta 1951 for many years. Iraqis too for that matter as the Tariq.

Here are a pair of Beretta 1951 pistols I have had for awhile.



Below is a Interarms import Helwan I have had since the 80s. These guns sadly have a rather spotty reputation. This is primarily because of quality control issues with the later commercial guns brought in by Century arms where heat treatment was often lacking. I have seen quite a few of those with bowed slides and broken parts. My experience with Steyr, Interarms and World of Luger imported Helwans has been quite good.





Here is a very rare World of Lugers Helwan with its box. Serial number 7.

 

[gopguy]

Here is a rarely seen early Egyptian Contract 1951E

 

[gopguy]

Another Beretta model that was used in the Middle East, mostly in espionage by Mossad. The Beretta 71 in .22lr. This one from the early 60s.


http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-weapons/israeli-mossad-22-lrs/

 

[Fastcast]

Sweet....That little Jaguar is something....Thanks!

 

[gopguy]

Glad you enjoyed seeing it. She shoots nice too.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Two things I experienced with 1951 pistols: 1) recoil seemed to be much sharper than with the Beretta 92 series, and 2) a 1990's commercial Helwan had a serious flaw in that its locking block had not been heat treated, and was wearing down rapidly. Try finding a locking block. The Beretta commercial model from the 1960's was a beauty, though.

 

[Ash]

I had a military Helwan that was pretty ugly finish-wise (well-worn) and had a rather sloppy safety, but it was reliable.

 

[Nushif]

Love my Helwan. Recoil is sharper for sure, but it *is* a 9mm. In 200 rounds it hasn't failed me, but frankly it is a toy. 8)