The Italian Garand: Beretta BM59
The Italian army adopted the Beretta BM59, basically an M1 Garand chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO capable of select fire. It was about as successful as all the other select fire battle rifles adopted around the world (not very). From Wikipedia:
After World War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 (7.62×63mm) and also manufactured it under license. This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during WWII, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete. The Italian military wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62×51mm.
Beretta designed the BM59, which was essentially a rechambered M1 fitted with a removable 20-round magazine, folding bipod and flash suppressor/grenade launcher. The BM59 is capable of selective fire.
I came across this Class III, full auto, Beretta BM59 on Gunbroker (The auction has since close). Click to expand the photos:
Col. Cooper had one of these. I thought it was some kinda M-14 prototype like a T-22 or something at the time. Only one I’ve ever seen in person.
you do not believe the rifle was still in use by the end of past decade.
I remember, when I was a complement first-lieutenant in Italy, preferring the stock-less BM59 (para version) for armed services and range exercises. very difficult to manage in full auto.
It’s pretty interesting to consider the BM-59 had detachable box magazines when John Garand himself scrapped development of the T20. Then ten years or so down the road Beretta does more or less the same thing, only with their own proprietary magazines.
I’ve seen some professionally converted Garands that use magazines (typically in .308) and they’re pretty interesting. Sometime in the future I’ll have to do a bit of research into how to do it and give it a shot.
My friend has thought about building up a M1 Garand similar to that, but still chambered for the .30-06 round. I really like the idea, but I am attached to the .30-06 round as one of my calibers.
What’s purpose of such strange iron sights?
The rifle is sexy.
padalec,
if you mean the funny front sight, it’s for the grenade launcher.
An interesting anecdote I forgot to add to my comment earlier…
You can occasionally come across Beretta receivers on parts guns. Beretta did in fact manufacture a number of M1 Garand rifles between the end of the war and the development of the BM-59. I recently came across one at a public auction in Gettysburg, PA, and watched the rifle soar to well over $1500.
I was hoping to get my hands on it just because it’s an oddity, but not for that price I wasn’t! I walked away from the auction with two other Garands for about that much combined.
I was less thinking “Italian Garand” and more thinking “Italian M-14″
We have one of these in the gun shop where I work but not full auto, just semi-auto. I post guns for the shop on gunbroker but they haven’t let me post the Beretta M1/M14 so far. Owner says they ain’t tired of looking at it yet. Priced at $2,500 and so far lots of lookers and feelers, but no buyers.
Village Pawn and Gun Shop, Wadesboro, NC 704-694-6266.
I bought this really cool item for the Garand. I will also fit the M1A. It fits in the receiver and holds the bolt open, but let’s me use my chamber brushes while it’s stuck in the receiver. Pretty Cool item. I thought I would share.
Steve
http://www.m1buddy.com
Seems like a M14 to me. Got a Garand and love it but the M14 is probably the most perfect refinement. I will own one some day.
Both the BM-59 and the M-14 are used today and for sometime in the future. By both the US military (M-14) and the Italian military (BM-59) Both are the best rifle ever made in my opion multishot good round it fires 7.62 NATO and are utterly relighable.
i belive i’ve seen a italian version M1 with a BAR 20rd. mag. adapted to it…anyone know any more on this? have also looked at a 223 converted grand with i belive a ar mag. done by a local shop thanks.
Having fired both M-14 (before going to Nam in 67) and the BM 59 (After I retired from USMC in 77) I believe I like the BM 59 more. In fact, I carried the M 1 for 5 years in the Corps. Have you ever seen the results of firing the M 14 after the Compensator has been bent ? Not pretty. Just an old jarhead’s opinion.