In the early 1930s, the Italian army was impressed by the Walther PP pistol. Beretta did not want to lose a big military contract to their German competitor and designed the M1934 for the Italian Army which accepted it in 1937. This model was followed by the M1935, which was similar to the M1934 in most respects, except that it fired a .32 ACP (7.65 mm Browning) cartridge. Pistols made during the Fascist Era are marked with their year of manufacture in two forms: the conventional Julian date in Arabic numerals and the date in the Fascist Era in Roman numerals. The Fascist calendar commenced on 28 October 1922, so a pistol from 1937 May carry either "XV" or "XVI" as its Fascist year. As a footnote in the weapon's long history, an M1934 was used in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi, India on January 30, 1948. The pistol, serial number 606824, was wielded by Nathuram Godse in the assassination. Italian Army RE acceptance stamp on back L of frame
Marks and Stamps: (L side of slider) P. BERETTA_CAL 9 CORTO Md 1934 BREVETTATO GARDONE V.T. 1936-XIV Crown over RE stamp (R side) Serial no in two places (Grips) PB logo| Accession Number: 253 | Period of Use: 1934 onwards |
| Type: Self loading/automatic pistol | War Zones: WW2 |
| Country of Origin: Italy | Type Date: 1934 |
| Manufacturer: Pietro Beretta SpA, Gardone, Val Trompia | Serial Number: 508449 |
| Manufacture Date: 1936 | Calibre/Ammunition: 9mm short |
| Weight: 660g | Length Overall: 152mm |
| Cyclic Rate: semi-auto | Length Barrel: 94mm |
| Deactivation Certificate Number: DA 23934 |