Maadi Helwan

Semi-Automatic Service Pistol

Egypt | 1955

"The Maadi Helwan became a local, license-produced Egyptian version of the well-liked Italian Beretta Modello 1951 semi-automatic pistol."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/01/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Egyptian Armed Forces contracted with Beretta for a version of its Model 1951 semi-automatic pistol. This was the first locked-breech pistol design by the company and favored by many of its shooters for its power and accuracy when firing the 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge. Beretta agreed and sold the Model 1951 through a "second series" production run complete with Egyptian national markings. It gave good enough service, particularly in the conditions encountered across Egypt, that a "third series" run followed with a lengthened slide for improved accuracy and revised sights. The model emerged from Beretta in 1955.

In time, Maadi of Egypt was granted local licensed production of the design and this led to the "Helwan" form. It retained much of the form and function of the Italian model including the short-recoil, recoil-operated internal system with locked breech. Eight rounds were pulled from a spring-loaded detachable box magazine inserted into the grip's base and these consisted of 9x19mm Parabellum cartridges. Sights were identified fore and aft over the slide for accurized ranged fire.

Original forms incorporated light alloys in their construction but this was superseded by steel when it was found that the alloys were not robust enough under military abuse.

The Helwan is no longer in frontline service.

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Maadi Helwan. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

165 ft
50.3 m | 55.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

1,200 ft/sec
366 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the Maadi Helwan. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

203 mm
7.99 in
O/A Length

115 mm
4.53 in
Barrel Length

1.96 lb
0.89 kg
Weight

Semi-Automatic; Recoil-Operated; Short-Recoil
Action

9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber(s)

8-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron Front and Rear.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Maadi Helwan Semi-Automatic Service Pistol family line.

Helwan - Base Series Name

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Maadi Helwan. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Maadi - Egypt

[ Egypt ]

Going Further...
The Maadi Helwan Semi-Automatic Service Pistol appears in the following collections:

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