45 replies to this topic

[MRJ]

Question For The Board -

It seems rather well established that 150 is the total number of Benet BM69's imported. Does anyone have any information as to the number of Berben BM62's imported? I don't believe I've ever seen anything more specific than "several thousand". For years, I've been observing and recording serial numbers on Berben '62's. The lowest I've encountered is 1728 and the highest is 3048 which would be 1320 rifles assuming sequential numbering. Does anyone have a Berben serialed below 1728 or above 3048?

MRJ

PS - It's nice to have some activity on the board. Now if only Boe Boe would return.....................

[mikebaker1129]

MRJ,
I recently handled a BM62 at a gunshow .It was a Berben import BM62 serial #001615.
I hope this aids in your research . I will continue to log Beretta made BM 's that I find . I like you have heard the "Less than 3,000 imported " rumor for years .

[RDS]

MRJ
Everything I have read says 2000 units. At the same time Beretta was exporting the BM62 they were selling the" BM59 project" to Springfield Armory. I can not find it now but I read some where that the BM62 serial numbers started where the BM69 serial numbers stopped.
BM69 serial numbers stopped in the low 1300s. Maybe you can get a survey going as there seems to be variations to Berben imported BM62s.

[mikebaker1129]

I have a question ,a little off topic but when were the Berben BM62's imported ?

[RDS]

Mike
1980. American Rifleman published a review of the BM62 in the Feb. 1981 issue pages 62, 63 and 64. The Nov 1981 issue of Shooter's Survival Guide did a 5 page article on the "Springfield BM59". Springfield Armory also placed a full page ad in the issue. It shows Springfield M1 Garands. M1A and BM59. No prices are listed.

[2barearms]

I have a copy of a letter from a member on a another forum that was emailed to me from a scan,
it at the office, the letter clearly states that Beretta only imported 2000 BM62s. The letter was in
response to his request for accessories for the BM62.

Mike if you'll call me next week I'll drop you a copy of it.

[MRJ]

RDS et all -
Well we've made a bit of progress with 1615 now being our lowest known Berben '62 serial number. As for variations, I would ask what differences have been observed from the following BM62 features:

Finger groove stock with black rubber butttplate (possibly some with BM69 style cushioned buttplate?)
Plain unvented muzzle device
Solid 8mm pin in front mag catch
No machining of gas cylinder for bipod
800M rear sight

Of course some Beben BM62's have been modified with folding stocks, tricompensators, bipods, and other BM59 parts by their owners.

Does anyone have (or know of) a Berben '62 with delivered with different features? Also is anyone aware of any factory paperwork shipped with the Berben '62's when new?

MRJ

[mikebaker1129]

MRJ,
Mine are both finger-grooved stocks with what kinda looks like a black shotgun looking rubber buttpad. Neither of mine are cut for the bipod on the gas cylinder . Both had unvented muzzle devices . I believe the pins on mine are solid (8mm) I guess , I never measured them . 1 came with a 20 rd mag and the other had a 10 rd mag.
1 is in the 00235X , and the other is 00246X
Hope this helps in the research !
Mike

[2barearms]

MRJ,
Mine are both finger-grooved stocks with what kinda looks like a black shotgun looking rubber buttpad. Neither of mine are cut for the bipod on the gas cylinder . Both had unvented muzzle devices . I believe the pins on mine are solid (8mm) I guess , I never measured them . 1 came with a 20 rd mag and the other had a 10 rd mag.
1 is in the 00235X , and the other is 00246X
Hope this helps in the research !
Mike

MRJ

My BM62 has the plain muzzle cap, stock is finger groove and black rubber pad. SN is 306X. 800 m rear sight.
Has a large pin in mag catch and the gas cylinder in uncut.

I just picked up some parts from Reece for a build later, the stock I received is finger grooved but is cut for a winter
trigger, the FA selector switch, bipod leg holes and the rear sling swivel is cut for left and right side use.

Out of all my Battle Rifles the 62 has to be the best all around.

Edited by 2barearms, 25 September 2007 - 09:52 PM.

[RDS]

Early BM62 had a brown shotgun style ventilated recoil pad. This is the same pad as used on the BM69. There was a picture of a BM62 with this type of recoil pad in the American Rifleman Feb. 1981 page 62. Later BM62 used a solid black rubber pad. The BM62 pictured in the American Rifleman article appears to have a gas cylinder milled to accept a bipod. The stock does not have cuts for the bipod legs. The serial number appears to be 001728. All BM62 I have observed have a short solid flash hider the same as the BM69. Bm 69 stocks do differ from BM62 stocks. BM69 stocks are thinner thru the wrist.

[mikebaker1129]

Ben welcome to the BM62 club ! The Bm59 is a small group of folks but those of us that have 'em sure do love 'em .
I had no idea that you had picked one up . Congratulations !

[mikebaker1129]

I have another serial # to add to the list .
BM62 marked P Beretta made in Italy with a serial # 002695 .It did not have the original stock or buttpad . Sorry I did not see whether it was a Berben or Benet or SA import .

[2barearms]

I have another serial # to add to the list .
BM62 marked P Beretta made in Italy with a serial # 002695 .It did not have the original stock or buttpad . Sorry I did not see whether it was a Berben or Benet or SA import .

I went over to have a look at it, it was a Berben Import marked rifle. Really crumby looking attempt at the buttplate too.

[cehlers]

My BM62 is 002047. I was under the impression that none of these were supposed to have bayonet lugs, but mine does. Is this an aberration?
It is clearly marked on the top of the receiver P. Beretta Made in Italy and the SN and on the left side Mod. 62 308 W Berben Corp. N.Y.N.Y. How might I find out when it was produced?

[2barearms]

I ran across another at a friendly local gunseller, Like new SN 2029. I must be losing
my mind as I'm tempted to buy it.

[cehlers]

I ran across another at a friendly local gunseller, Like new SN 2029. I must be losing
my mind as I'm tempted to buy it.

Check to make sure it doesn't have a welded receiver. Otherwise it is dependent upon the price they are asking and its condition. I saw one in at best fair condition with a folding stock sell last month at auction for $2500 plus. If you can get one in good condition near that number you'll be doing well.

[MRJ]

Cehlers - Does your rifle have a muzzle device with no holes or slots cut into it? All the Berben '62's I've seen originally had these "dummy" compensators without holes and/or slots and no bayonet lug. I'm sure that many of the original devices have been replaced by surplus Tricompensators which RSI (Reese) has sold for years.

Thanks for the additional rifle serial numbers.

2barearms - What's the dealer's asking price on rifle 2029?

MRJ

[mikebaker1129]

Well Ben , I have been tempted several times ,but only bought 2 . The '62's seem to be a little more difficult for me to pass on when I see one for a decent price . I guess the going price has went up now that Reese is out of the rifles ?
If reasonably priced I can't see why you shouldn't buy it .........Then there is the wife ...........
Let us know how it turns out ?

[cehlers]

Cehlers - Does your rifle have a muzzle device with no holes or slots cut into it? All the Berben '62's I've seen originally had these "dummy" compensators without holes and/or slots and no bayonet lug. I'm sure that many of the original devices have been replaced by surplus Tricompensators which RSI (Reese) has sold for years.

Thanks for the additional rifle serial numbers.

2barearms - What's the dealer's asking price on rifle 2029?

MRJ

Mine came that way. It has the slotted and holed compensator and a bayonet lug underneath just forward of the front sight. I know it came like this because I bought it from the original owner who kept the original sales receipt, paperwork, and box. As I think I said this rifle has never been fired by the first owner or by me. The irony is that I really didn't want the rifle, but put in the first bid on it at auction and no one else bid. I just thought it looked cool and thought I'ld have some fun bidding on it. The hard part was getting my wife to believe that I bought it by "accident". I'll sell it before to long to help finance another purchase.

[2barearms]

The Rifle is a Berben Import and it's definitely not a reweld. The hang tag says $2295.00 which is
close to what I paid for the other one. One mag as usual.

Looks like mine has the highest sn at 3060.