Over 16,000 Navy Beretta submachine guns are now up for auction. They're out of stock and looking for a buyer.

Over 16,000 Beretta MAB submachine guns, once in service with the Italian Navy, are being auctioned through a public procurement process initiated by the Agenzia Industrie Difesa. The weapons, which have been decommissioned and stored in military depots, are now available for purchase following a tender announced on June 25. The auction will close on July 27, 2026, with bids submitted exclusively via the Asp platform for public acquisitions. Interested parties must provide their offers digitally, using qualified electronic signatures or advanced electronic signatures. The MAB, an acronym for "Moschetto Automatico Beretta," was designed by Tullio Marengoni and produced by the historic firearms manufacturer Beretta starting in 1938. These submachine guns, currently housed in depots in La Spezia (8,404 units), Taranto (7,512 units), and Augusta (249 units), are fully operational but no longer in active service. They were originally intended for elite units within the Royal Army, including paratroopers and the Carabinieri’s "Pastrengo" squad. During World War II, the MAB became one of the most widely used weapons, serving both Axis forces and resistance fighters. After the armistice of September 8, 1943, the weapon continued to be used by the Republic of Salò forces, German troops, and partisan groups. Following the war, the MAB remained in service with the Italian armed forces, including the Air Force's VAM surveillance corps, the State Police, and the Carabinieri, until the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was gradually replaced by more modern models such as the Beretta PM12. Among its variants, the MAB 38 is considered one of the most iconic designs, praised by military experts and historians for its accuracy and reliability during wartime. The current batch of over 16,000 units includes multiple variations of this classic design. Each MAB is chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge, weighs approximately 4.2 kilograms with an empty magazine, measures 95 centimeters in length, and can fire up to 600 rounds per minute. The weapons are sold without ammunition, and there are no provisions for insurance coverage. Only licensed operators, holding a prefectural license under Article 28 of the Unified Text of Public Security Laws, are eligible to bid. Foreign entities must obtain equivalent licenses according to their home country’s regulations. Potential buyers interested in inspecting the weapons may arrange visits to the three storage sites before submitting their offers. The winning bidder will be determined based on the best offer deemed acceptable by the Italian Navy. The sale represents a unique opportunity to acquire historical military equipment, though it is strictly regulated due to the nature of the items. The auction reflects broader efforts to manage surplus military inventory while adhering to legal and security frameworks.