MRJ Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 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..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted August 19, 2007 Report Share Posted August 19, 2007 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted August 20, 2007 Report Share Posted August 20, 2007 I have a question ,a little off topic but when were the Berben BM62's imported ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2barearms Posted September 23, 2007 Report Share Posted September 23, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRJ Posted September 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2barearms Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 (edited) 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 September 26, 2007 by 2barearms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 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 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2barearms Posted October 29, 2007 Report Share Posted October 29, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cehlers Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2barearms Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cehlers Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRJ Posted October 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 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 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cehlers Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2barearms Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UK Armourer Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Gentlemen, please see the pictures below from my visit to the Beretta factory back in July. The photographs show serial number # 1280 BM-62 'Sport' which was manufactured for the Italian market. It has a gas cylinder cut for the Bipod but none fitted. In the course of my research for a definitive (hopefully!) history on the Beretta manufactured family of M1 Garands & BM-59's I photographed the BM-62 that is displayed in the factory museum. I will shortly return to the factory to carry on my research but in the course of my last visit there was a vague hint that there is a quantity of BM-59's and BM-62's still stored there.... I am actively looking at finding out if that is true. The story was that they were a final Berben Corp. failed export order! PS a problem with my picture hosting service, I will post them later! Vic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Vic would you mind asking what method that the Beretta employed when they converted M1 garand receivers to BM59's for their customers . Some say precision grinding or machining, we all know how hard a M1 Receiver is , I was wondering how Beretta did this back then ? It would help ,there are a few folks here that would like to modify a M1 receiver to a BM 59 . Thanks ......Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcshot Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 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 ! Request to join the BM-62 Club. I have Berben 215X ANIB. It's my favorite safe queen and I have yet to fire it.Thanks, Mc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokarev57 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 I found this forum when I finally got a Thompson.....BUT who would have known there was a BM62 club??? Well count me in too, as I have #154X It's Berben marked as well as P. Beretta, has the plain compensator and rubber butt plate.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebaker1129 Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Anyone have a BM62 with a red rubber buttpad ?Mine are black. Edited February 23, 2012 by mikebaker1129 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now