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Is my BM59 an authentic, desirable Reese rifle?


Navy Brat
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Would it be possible for someone to help me determine what kind of rifle I have inherited? It was purchased in the mid 1980s and came in a green and white cardboard box with "Springfield Armory" printed on it. It came with an owners manual with a drawing on the cover of a soldier lying on the ground. The wood is a dark chocolate brown with a matte finish. The grain of the wood runs parallel lengthwise, not diagonal. It has a folding bi-pod, winter trigger, and an attached fabric sling. Here is a list of three markings on the gun:

 

1. On the metal part that faces you when you're firing it:

 

7.62 mm BM59

Springfield

Armory

0000946

 

2. On the left face of that same metal part:

 

P B BM59

 

3. On the right face, on a movable piece of metal between the trigger and the magazine:

 

P B - BM59 IAP

 

Thanks in advance for any help offered. It will be greatly appreciated!

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It is, of course a BM59 by Springfield Armory Inc of IL ( not the govt arsenal in Massachusetts) . This co was/is owned by the Reese family.

They imported many "new old stock" Italian parts in the 80's and assembled very nice rifles out of them. Hence they had to add their name as a manufacturer to the existing Beretta name on the parts.

 

Only more desirable, are the actual Italian made BM59 ( or BM62) from Beretta before 1984.

 

I have not been following the market on these. Be aware that the market might be slow on these as there has been a huge volume of Italian army surplus BM59 parts

onto the market in the past year and many people are building these rifles from parts. This might be eroding demand for Springfield built guns.

 

Good luck.

 

JR

Edited by John Ryan
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Only more desirable, are the actual Italian made BM59 ( or BM62) from Beretta before 1984.

 

The receiver on the OP's rifle was made by Beretta. That's what the PB on the side rail means. PB: Pietro Beretta, the world's oldest gun maker. The receiver was forged, rather than cast.

Edited by TSMGguy
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Only more desirable, are the actual Italian made BM59 ( or BM62) from Beretta before 1984.

 

The receiver on the OP's rifle was made by Beretta. That's what the PB on the side rail means. PB: Pietro Beretta, the world's oldest gun maker. The receiver was forged, rather than cast.

 

 

 

What do you mean by "the OP's rifle," TSMGguy?

Edited by Navy Brat
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Navy Brat,

OP = Original Poster.

Go on www.gunbroker.com

Do a search by typing in your rifle info. This will give you an idea what they are selling for.

Do a gun show search for your state.

When you have determined an acceptable selling price attend a gun show and walk around with your rifle.

You may want to attend a few shows without the rifle to get a feel for things. Also you can buy a "Blue Book" at the show.

Jim C

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Navy Brat,

OP = Original Poster.

Go on www.gunbroker.com

Do a search by typing in your rifle info. This will give you an idea what they are selling for.

Do a gun show search for your state.

When you have determined an acceptable selling price attend a gun show and walk around with your rifle.

You may want to attend a few shows without the rifle to get a feel for things. Also you can buy a "Blue Book" at the show.

Jim C

 

 

Thank you, Jim! I appreciate your response.

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It is, of course a BM59 by Springfield Armory Inc of IL ( not the govt arsenal in Massachusetts) . This co was/is owned by the Reese family.

They imported many "new old stock" Italian parts in the 80's and assembled very nice rifles out of them. Hence they had to add their name as a manufacturer to the existing Beretta name on the parts.

 

Only more desirable, are the actual Italian made BM59 ( or BM62) from Beretta before 1984.

 

I have not been following the market on these. Be aware that the market might be slow on these as there has been a huge volume of Italian army surplus BM59 parts

onto the market in the past year and many people are building these rifles from parts. This might be eroding demand for Springfield built guns.

 

Good luck.

 

JR

 

 

 

Thank you very much for your response, John. This is great information!

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Only more desirable, are the actual Italian made BM59 ( or BM62) from Beretta before 1984.

 

The receiver on the OP's rifle was made by Beretta. That's what the PB on the side rail means. PB: Pietro Beretta, the world's oldest gun maker. The receiver was forged, rather than cast.

 

Yes the receiver was made by Beretta ( and is not welded) but not assembled into a rifle by them. Reese /Springfield Inc imported the parts, including finished new receivers and assembled many of them into finished rifles. Hence the Springfield Inc ser # as well as the Beretta marking.

 

There were Beretta made guns ( imported before 1984) that have higher desirability due to the fact that they are Beretta factory assembled and serialized as opposed to the Reese /Springfield Inc built guns. ( which are still great guns).

 

JR

 

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Only more desirable, are the actual Italian made BM59 ( or BM62) from Beretta before 1984.

 

The receiver on the OP's rifle was made by Beretta. That's what the PB on the side rail means. PB: Pietro Beretta, the world's oldest gun maker. The receiver was forged, rather than cast.

 

Yes the receiver was made by Beretta ( and is not welded) but not assembled into a rifle by them. Reese /Springfield Inc imported the parts, including finished new receivers and assembled many of them into finished rifles. Hence the Springfield Inc ser # as well as the Beretta marking.

 

There were Beretta made guns ( imported before 1984) that have higher desirability due to the fact that they are Beretta factory assembled and serialized as opposed to the Reese /Springfield Inc built guns. ( which are still great guns).

 

JR

 

 

 

 

Thank you very much for clearing everything up, John!

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