Italian by way of Egypt...

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

A lot of people know about the Helwan- a Beretta m1951 Brigadier made under license by Maadi in Egypt. They can be a good gun, but quality control has varied wildly over the years and problems with locking blocks are frequent due to poor metallurgy/heat treatment.

But before the Helwan Egypt ordered 50,000 modified M1951s from Beretta. These have a straight grip, larger sights and a heel-release for the magazine. These guns have an EC prefix on their serial numbers for 'Egyptian Contract.' Interestingly none of these modifications were included when Maadi began indigenous production.

These EC guns are largely unknown in the US; I do not believe they were ever officially imported, which begs the question of how the one Linda bought for me off of Gunbroker got here.


The gun is cosmetically rough- it's seen hard service and more than a little neglect. However there's nothing wrong with the internals; it functions perfectly and is a hell of a shooter. Unlike a lot of guns of it's vintage it has not issues shooting hollow points. Linda originally bought it with the thought that I would clean it up and refinish it, but after researching it I've decided to leave it as is.
This pictures shows the EC Beretta next to a Helwan to show the differences-

The Helwan's magazines have a 1/32" tab at the bottom-rear of the magazine; grind that off and they work just fine in the Beretta, but its magazine does not have a mag-release cut-out so it will not work in the Helwan.

I'm pretty happy with this Beretta- good shooter, interesting history and a present from my sweety. What more could I ask for?

 

[Riomouse911]

I bought a Helwan off GB several years ago. It came with one mag, and I bought three more from an aftermarket retailer (Mec-Gar maybe?).

Like yours this Helwan isn't a thing of beauty, but it has been very reliable with 115-124 fmj through all the mags.

I take it out once in a blue moon to fire a few through it. It doesn't have the feel of a more modern design, but it is a different item on the range from the 'plastic fantastics' that I often associate range time with.

It looks like you got a cool little piece of martial history with your new EC gun!

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Nice acquisition by your even nicer wife! I also like that you're not going to refinish it.

 

[FL-NC]

Guns of that type were/are frequently encountered in iraq and other mideast "hot spots". It may have hitched a ride here in a kit bag. I saw an early Taurus 9 92 (round trigger guard, heel mag release) from iraq- a common sight in Latin America, but not so much in the desert. If they could only tell stories.....

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Had a standard Model 51, what a great pistol! If it hadn't been stolen I probably never would have got the urge to get a 92........

 

[Bbra]

I had both a Beretta 951 and a Helwan. The Italian gun was pure quality; a previous owner had fashioned wooden grips - three piece with the backstrap glued to the right panel and it was a handsome piece. I was leery of the Egyptian gun and eventually sold it rather cheaply to a friend who was glad to take it off my hands. I have an inordinate affection for slim, SA, 9mm pistols. Eventually, friend broke one of the grips at it's heel and had to pay dearly for replacements.