Info on a beretta 409 with no silver hawk - The DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com

Dear All

I would be grateful if you can spare the time to help me with some info on an old SXS. There are numbers engraved on it but nothing in the format that beretta gives normally. From browsing through pictures and info on the web I figured out the model is a 409 series (stamped into the forarm). If you can tell me anything more about this gun I would really appreciate your help.

The only number looking similar to serial is C49346 engraved on several parts.
Markings on the gun:
Pietro Beretta-Gardone V.T. Made in Italy, Cal. 12
Alloy Chromium Electric Steel Special Type Ausonia
Bottom of action says: Monobloc Beretta
and there is a bird engraved looking more like a duck than a hawk. I have compared with other silver hawks. It is a non-ejector gun

http://s4.postimg.org/s10v47vdp/Gun.jpg
http://s7.postimg.org/g5z8hw9rv/4001971.jpg
http://s28.postimg.org/pdspfzxnx/gun2.jpg

Thank you for your time
Best regards
John

The Silver Hawk was basically a 409 tricked out for what Beretta thought Americans wanted in a shotgun back then.

Not all that much to tell you about the 409, other than it was the basic Beretta side by side through the 1950's and into the mid-60's. Decent guns. I can't look at your photos without being told it's a risky website. However, the barrel flats should show a Roman numeral, which is a date code. I = 1945. Just count forward from there and you'll have the year of manufacture.

Originally Posted By: John1983

Dear All

I would be grateful if you can spare the time to help me with some info on an old SXS. There are numbers engraved on it but nothing in the format that beretta gives normally. From browsing through pictures and info on the web I figured out the model is a 409 series (stamped into the forarm). If you can tell me anything more about this gun I would really appreciate your help.FWIWIP- Ausonia signifies austentite-a non-magnetic grade of high chromium content steel-produced mainly in electric melt furnaces, not in BOF process.

The only number looking similar to serial is C49346 engraved on several parts.
Markings on the gun:
Pietro Beretta-Gardone V.T. Made in Italy, Cal. 12
Alloy Chromium Electric Steel Special Type Ausonia
Bottom of action says: Monobloc Beretta
and there is a bird engraved looking more like a duck than a hawk. I have compared with other silver hawks. It is a non-ejector gun

http://s4.postimg.org/s10v47vdp/Gun.jpg
http://s7.postimg.org/g5z8hw9rv/4001971.jpg
http://s28.postimg.org/pdspfzxnx/gun2.jpg

Thank you for your time
Best regards
John

The Silver Hawk was the name that one importer (Galef) wanted their sxs guns from Beretta to be named. That started about 1959 or so.

I think your gun is probably late 1950's and was likely carried here by someone in the military.

If you have questions, post them and I will try to answer. I have quite a few similar Beretta sxs guns. They are great handling guns which seem to hold up well.

John1983
Welcome on your first posting
Pleased to have you here
If you will post pictures of the proof marks we will be able to tell you the year manufactured

From the links above

Dear All

Thank you so much for your warm welcoming to the forums and highly qualified help.

With clues from your answers I figured out that the gun was made in 1962 and it does appear to be related to the silverhawk in spite of the different engraving. I bought it in Denmark and suppose it has never travelled to the US as suggested. I think I will have to live with not knowing specifically what bird is engraved.....I could not resist trying to figure it out - there is something alluring about the history of old guns.

I really appreciate your help. Thank you for your time.

Kind regards
John