Italy Selling off 16,000 Vintage SMGs

The Italian Navy has declared its stockpile of Cold War-vintage 9mm Beretta burp guns that are surplus to its needs and is actively seeking to part with them. The Italian Defense Industries Agency (L’Agenzia Industrie Difesa) recently announced it is accepting bids for 16,165 assorted Moschetti Automatici Beretta, or MAB, submachine guns. Brig. Gen. Massimo Boschetto detailed in a tender announcement that the guns are located at three naval bases, Taranto (7,512), La Spezia (8,404), and Augusta (249), and are being sold as-is/where-is and sans magazines. The MAB, Beretta’s Model 1938 submachine gun in 9mm Para, was a big hit for the company and can still be found in limited service around the world. The MAB was a staple not only of the Italian military during WWII but also saw widespread use with guerrilla/resistance groups of all stripes and ultimately was in service with over 30 nations. It was one of the more successful sub-guns of the conflict and was a favorite of Italian marine,…