Make: Benelli Armi S.P.A. Model: M1 Super 90. Serial Number: M259487. Year of Manufacture: 1996, Italian Proof Mark “BH” Caliber: 12 Gauge 3” or 2 ¾” Shells. Action Type: Inertia-Operated Semi-Automatic. Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BENELLI ARMI S.P.A. – URBINO – MADE IN ITALY”. The right side of the barrel is marked “12 GA. 3” – FOR 2 ¾” OR 3” SHELLS / READ OWNER’S MANUAL BEFORE USING GUN”.
Action: Semi-Automatic; Inertia-Operated Caliber(s): 12- or 20-gauge Sights: Standard Iron; Optional Optics. Overall Length: 1,009 mm (39.72 in) Barrel Length: 470 mm (18.50 in) Weight (Unloaded): 7.05 lb (3.20 kg)
Operators: Italy; United States
Benelli Armi S.p.A. of Italy, founded by Giovanni Benelli, began design, development and production of firearms in 1967 out of its headquarters in Urbino, Italy. Originally associated with production of motorcycles since 1911, the concern went on to become one of the most recognized foremost manufacturers of military and law enforcement shotguns anywhere in the world. Key to the success of Benelli shotguns was the in-house inertia-driven recoil system developed by engineer Bruno Civolani. In 2000, the firm was purchased by Italian competitor Beretta, itself founded in 1526, though the Benelli name was allowed to live on in new products such as the 'Benelli M1 Super 90' shotgun. The Benelli M1 Super 90 was developed as a multi-purpose system intended for market to military, law enforcement and security groups as well as targeting the lucrative civilian market. The end-product became a conventional semi-automatic shotgun system available in 12- or 20-gauge forms and further available in 14', 18.5' and 20' barrel lengths. Various models were developed to corner the various facets of every market and this led to variable weights, lengths and magazine counts resulting. Base models were completed with aluminum alloy receivers and a typical over/under- barrel/magazine arrangement. Receivers were largely featureless save for the large ejection port along the right side. A charging handle was affixed to this same area. Loading was through a gate under the receiver, feeding directly into the tubular magazine partially covered by a forend shroud. The M1 Super 90 was further offered with a full stock and integral pistol grip or a full stock with standalone pistol grip. Iron sights were generally used though mounts could be added for using various optics, aimers and accessories as needed. As the M1 Super 90 was based on the proprietary inertia recoil system, it was suggested for using heavier loads for the cycle operation for a more reliable result. This was perhaps one of the few drawbacks of the system. The M1 Super 90 went on to find considerable success in law enforcement circles where it could be used to quell riots through non-lethal ammunition and teargas, breach doorways and neutralize adversaries at close ranges. Additionally, when pressed as such, the shotgun could be wielded as a viable blunt instrument. The M1 Super 90 proved reliable and maintenance-friendly while procurement costs were in line with budgetary constraints when compared to automatic weapons. Beyond these benefits, the shotgun has also proven a decisive psychological factor to all those unfortunate enough to face it. It was these qualities that pushed the M1 to find military suitors as well which, invariably, led to its popularity in the civilian market as well. The M1 Super 90 was initially released in the following forms: the M1 Super 90 Slug Gun with 18.5' barrel, 5-shot magazine and stock with integral grip, the similar M1 Super 90 Defense though with full stock and standalone pistol grip, the M1 Super 90 Slug Gun with 18.5' barrel, 5-shot magazine and ghost rings, the special license M1 Super 90 Entry Gun with 14' barrel, 5-shot magazine, full stock and standalone grip. As with other foreign firearm lines attempting sale in the United States, Benelli has worked through the well-established German concern of Heckler & Koch to bring the Benelli M1 Super 90 to the American market. The Benelli M1 Super 90 has since been followed into market by the M2 Super 90, M3 Super 90 and the M4 Super 90 - the latter which has been adopted by the US military as the 'M1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun'.
Variants / Models
• M1 Super 90 - Base Series Designation • M1 Super 90 'Slug Gun' - 18.5' barrel; 5-shot magazine; stock with integrated grip; optional ghost ring sight variant. • M1 Super 90 'Defense' - 18.5' barrel; 5-shot magazine; full stock with standalone pistol grip. • M1 Super 90 'Entry Gun' - 14' barrel; 5-shot magazine; full stock with standalone pistol grip; special license required for its use.
Page 1 of 1
[ 1 post ]
Print view
Previous topic | Next topic
Author
Message
Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 9:16 pm
Moderator
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:03 pm Posts: 1887 Location: At the trap range or in the field, hunting
From the Benelli usa forum Beretta firearms produced in Italy carry a proof mark for the year of production. The chart below is used to identify the year by this mark. For recent pistols this mark is usually located on the frame near the trigger guard, for older pistols, the mark is on the slide or on the frame behind the grip area. Shotguns have this mark stamped on the barrel near the chamber. You may need to remove the barrel to read the mark. On some older firearms, produced between 1925 to1954, the actual date was stamped instead of a code mark. In this case the date can be located near the test proof marks on the frame. The exception to this occurred during the regime of Benito Mussolini. The Italian Proof House used a roman numeral system marking the year of his reign which began with 'I' in 1922. The first Beretta firearm using this dating system was the Model 1934 pistol (introduced in 1935), thus the year was indicated as XIII (usually marked on the slide) and refering to the 13th year of Mussolini's regime. This practice ended in 1945 with XXIII at the close of World War Two and the chart below takes up from that point. It should be noted that some wartime production firearms were void of any marking to indicate the production date. We have also seen markings where roman and numerical figures are combined, for example XX7 for 1971, XX8 for 1972 and XX9 for 1973. MARK YEAR I or 1 1945 II or 2 1946 III or 3 1947 IV or 4 1948 V or 5 1949 VI or 6 1950 VII or 7 1951 VIII or 8 1952 IX or 9 1953 X 1954 XI 1955 XII 1956 XIII 1957 XIV 1958 XV 1959 XVI 1960 XVII 1961 XVIII 1962 XIX 1963 XX 1964 Date of Manufacture XXI 1965 XXII 1966 XXIII 1967 XXIV 1968 XXV 1969 XXVI 1970 XXVII or XX7 1971 XXIII or XX8 1972 XXIX or XX9 1973 XXX 1974 AA 1975 AB 1976 AC 1977 AD 1978 AE 1979 AF 1980 AH 1981 AI 1982 AL 1983 AM 1984 AN 1985 AP 1986 AS 1987 AT 1988 AU 1989 AZ 1990 BA 1991 BB 1992 BC 1993 BD 1994 BF 1995 BH 1996 BI 1997 BL 1998 BM 1999 BN 2000 BP 2001 BS 2002 Date of Manufacture BT 2003 BU 2004 BZ 2005 CA 2006 CB 2007 CC 2008
_________________ Benelli Nova 12 bore Benelli Super Black Eagle 12 bore with the Comfort Tech System Benelli Montefeltro 12 bore Amassing a stockpile of shotshells