~ American Beretta BM59 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Bipod – Deactivated ~
The Beretta BM 59 is an Italian-made rifle based on the M1 Garand rifle, but chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, and modified to use a detachable magazine. Later revisions incorporated other features common to more modern rifles.
After World War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 Springfield (7.62×63mm) and also manufactured it under license. This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm round.
To meet these requirements, Beretta designed the BM 59, which was essentially a rechambered M1 fitted with a removable 20-round magazine, folding bipod and a combined muzzle brake/flash suppressor/rifle grenade launcher. The BM 59 is capable of selective fire.
Our example is fitted with a bipod and has a folding stock.
The stamps on it read:
7.62mm BM 59 T.A. P BERETTA 65
U.S. RIFLE
SPRINGFIELD ARMOURY 1113571
The receiver is marked F-PB BM59
The piece is dated 1965.
~ Condition ~
The magazine can be removed, the bipod deploys and the slide moves back and forth on a spring. The trigger moves but is disconnected from the action.
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