unknown pistol, possibly a beretta?

[max popenker]

hello

can't remember where did i found these pics, but they do puzzled me alot

It looks much like beretta, and it has Beretta-like markings P.B. mod 70 but it looked rather differently from typical Beretta model 70 pistol... se the images of the pistol in question below:

Any ideas?

 

[jobu07]

Almost looks like a mix between a beretta and a browning?

 

[max popenker]

And just for comparision, the real Beretta model 70:

 

[Onmilo]

For all the world it looks like a Chinese or Dharra copy.
Did one of your countries Afghan vets bring this thing home?
The frame reminds me of a Tokarev.
Where did you find this thing?
Do you know the actual caliber?

 

[mete]

The original 9mm Beretta ,M1951, had a cross bolt safety,butt mounted mag release, single column mag.That then evolved to the M 92. I would have to agree with Onmilo, it's some type of copy.

 

[VARifleman]

Here's a link: http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/detail/PB.htm

 

[jonnyc]

The markings look rather bogus. Your location leads me to the Pakistan theory.

 

[IZinterrogator]

On this particular gun, PB must equal Peshawar Bazaar.

 

[Nick_90]

I just had a look at the link on deactivated guns. How sad to see such lovely guns emasculated. In fact, how exactly do they deactivate them? Does anyone know?

 

[Onmilo]

British usually deactivate by removing the firing pin, welding the pin port closed and drilling two fairly large holes in the guns chamber.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

While this MIGHT be a "Pakistan"-type gun, none of those garage-made guns I've seen ever looked so polished or so professionally done. I've seen a lot of rifles and revolvers of that ilk, but not that many semi-autos.

(This not to say there weren't/aren't competent and talented Pakistani gunsmiths able to make such a gun. I'm sure there are...)

I suspect this is an actual Beretta from an early run -- with other changes made to the model 70, over time, leaving it to look as it does, today. Or, perhaps, one made especially for military or police use. The slides are very similar, for example.

(If someone was trying to "fake" a Beretta, seems to me they'd be even more bold in their use of the Beretta name...)

 

[Onmilo]

If you study the pistol, the frame appears to be a direct copy of the Model 1934 frame albeit with a post 1982 recurve trigger guard and what appears to be a double action trigger mechanism.
Slide contours are more in line with those of an early Beretta Model 92 9mm and do not resemble either the Model 70 or the Model 34.
The double action trigger mechanism may in fact be a direct copy of the 84/92 mechanism if it is indeed a double action mechanism.
Since there is no trigger connector bar in the right side of the frame I believe this is a single action mechanism faked up to give the pistol 'the look.'

It could be a Beretta factory trial pistol but because the recurve trigger guard was never incorporated into a Beretta design until the US Military specifically requested it on the M9 Service handgun and the rest of the pistol pre-dates that decision I am incline to believe this is a non-Italian copy.

Beretta is quite fond of stamping their trade name and city in full capital script on firearms they produce.

The Initialized PB and the lack of Gardone city name are other indicators of non-Italian production.

The Chinese are most certainly capable of producing a copy of any handgun that can closely approach the level of fit and finish of the original product.

It is true that prior to 1980 Dharra gun factories were crude affairs with huge ingenuity and little quality control.
The situation has improved since then and several shops have test facilities and electric machine tools.
Quality and metallurgy are on par with the Chinese factories now and the region is certainly capable of producing a copy such as this.
Production of a weapon such as this would cost many times more than the average Dharra gun but I'm convinced it could have been made there.