History:
Immediately after the end of World War II Bernardelli in 1945/1946 surprised the market with a vestpocket pistol, which didn't have to fear the comparision with other vestpockets on the market at that time. In design it was a mixture of "Browning Baby" and "Walther Modell 9"; it was of good quality and therefore got well accepted by the buyers.
As an option an enlarged magazine was available, which was holding 8 shells and worked as grip extension.
It was exported wordlwide, and since 1948 especially the United States of Amerika. Importers of that time were the companies "F.I. Firearms International Co" and "Stoeger Arms Co."
During the era of production the pistol got redesigned to the "Model 68", where the changes were just less significant. It was sold up to 1968, when the "Gun Control Act" stopped the export to the States.
Exact figures of production are not reported, but there are less "VP Models" to find than the follower "Model 68".
Technical Data:
SYSTEM: self cocking pistole with firng pin
CARTRIDGES: 6 (8)
CALIBER : .25 ACP
BARREL LENGTH : 54.5 mm , 6 grooves right hand twisted
WEIGHT EMPTY : 270 g
TOTAL LENGTH : 107.5 mm
TOTAL HEIGHT : 79 mm
GTOTAL WIDTH : 20 mm
TRIGGER : Single Action
SIGHT : groove
SAFETY : lever- and magazine-safety
FINISH : blued
GRIPS : hard rubber