Rare WWII Beretta

MarkC · 09-09-2022, 12:32 PM

I stumbled upon this gun that must have historical significance. Any WWII era Beretta that was fully engraved and gold plated were reserved for kings or people of great influence and power.

This gun, based on the date and inscription, may have been presented to Emilio DeBono who led the invasion of Ethiopia the next day. DeBono had worked on a smaller plan for the invasion and at the same time Mussolini was working on a bigger scale invasion. Eventually both plans were combined and DeBono, as a loyal Fascist, chosen to lead the invasion. He was later executed in 1944 by Mussolini as a traitor and shot in the back, while tied to a chair, as a sign of disrespect.

The engraving is the finest I have ever seen from Beretta and if you look closely you will also see it has brown/black grips, a special color seldom seen.

Everything is engraved including the mag bottom, the lanyard loop is plated as is the mag body and the gun has fire blue grip screws.

09-09-2022, 12:32 PM	#1
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Rare WWII Beretta I stumbled upon this gun that must have historical significance. Any WWII era Beretta that was fully engraved and gold plated were reserved for kings or people of great influence and power. This gun, based on the date and inscription, may have been presented to Emilio DeBono who led the invasion of Ethiopia the next day. DeBono had worked on a smaller plan for the invasion and at the same time Mussolini was working on a bigger scale invasion. Eventually both plans were combined and DeBono, as a loyal Fascist, chosen to lead the invasion. He was later executed in 1944 by Mussolini as a traitor and shot in the back, while tied to a chair, as a sign of disrespect. The engraving is the finest I have ever seen from Beretta and if you look closely you will also see it has brown/black grips, a special color seldom seen. Everything is engraved including the mag bottom, the lanyard loop is plated as is the mag body and the gun has fire blue grip screws. Attached Thumbnails