Beretta handgun

Question
I have inherited a beretta handgun...it has Pietro Beretta-Gardone VT Cal 765-pat(the 65 is underlined) on the slide, and some kind of "shield" stamped along with psf with a stamped star over that and 1955 over the trigger on the frame....made in Italy on the other side of the slide...any thing you can tell me will be appreciated! What is the calibur? Can I shoot it/ should I shoot it? A guess on the value would be appreciated...

Answer
Hello Bobby. Sounds like you have a Beretta Model 1935. There were 525,000 of these manufactured from 1935- 1967. You should take it to a competent gunsmith to have it checked over before shooting it. The 7.65 caliber was the original cartridge for this gun, however, it will also shoot the modern equivalent .32acp. You do not mention the serial number in your description, which, by the way, would make it easier to put a date on it. Serial numbers ran from 411000 in 1935 to 923048 in 1959. 1960 and 61 are not listed? Then it picks up in 1962 at A10001 to 1963 A14130. 1964 and 65 are not listed either? 1966 H14131 to 1967 H14673. I hope this answers your question and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage