1526 → 2026

Beretta 500 Years

Five Centuries of Excellence

500 Years of Craftsmanship

Beretta's story begins in 1526, in a single workshop in the Val Trompia, where Bartolomeo Beretta first put his name to a barrel. Five centuries and fifteen generations later, that name has become synonymous with precision gunmaking around the world. Through changing eras of industry and innovation, ownership has never left the family, and the standard has never wavered. This anniversary is a chance to look back at the milestones that built that legacy, and forward to the ones still ahead.

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Anniversary Collaborations

BERETTA 500 YEAR EDITION

SL3 Limited Edition

Created to honor five centuries of Beretta excellence, every detail reflects a tradition refined across generations. Rich Grade 4 walnut meets Steelium Pro barrels engineered for exceptional balance and performance, while graceful English scrollwork unfolds into a hand-finished game scene crafted by the master engravers of Pietro Beretta Selection. The gold-inlaid 500 Years emblem is a quiet mark of distinction, and with only 150 individually numbered shotguns produced worldwide, each is destined to become part of Beretta's enduring legacy.

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BERETTA NORMA

Limited Edition Shotshells

Every shot is a tribute to five centuries of Beretta craftsmanship. Designed for exceptional consistency and dependable performance, these commemorative cartridges carry the Beretta 500 Years emblem on a finely finished brass or nickel base and are presented in exclusive collector's packaging worthy of the occasion. Available in 12, 20, and 28 gauge.

BERETTA OAKLEY

Collector’s Edition Sunglasses

Designed to honor five centuries of Beretta excellence, these exclusive sunglasses blend modern performance with refined craftsmanship. A titanium frame and Oakley Black Prizm lenses are elevated by thoughtful details, including an engraved Beretta 500 Years monogram, etched Beretta signature, and Gun Blue accents that reflect Beretta's storied heritage. Finished with an individual serial number and presented in a polished metal clamshell case inspired by holster design, each pair is a true collector's piece.

BERETTA 500 YEAR EDITION

687 Silver Pigeon

Created to commemorate Beretta's 500th anniversary, this exclusive edition unites timeless craftsmanship with the proven performance of the legendary 680 platform. Hand-selected Grade 3 walnut is complemented by hand-polished side plates, intricate floral engraving, and subtle gold accents, culminating in a gold-inlaid 500 Years emblem on the receiver. Individually serial numbered and limited to 1,526 hunting guns and 1,526 sporting guns, each piece is a celebration of heritage, precision, and rarity.

Celebrating 500 Years of Beretta

1526

THE FIRST SPARK

Bartolomeo Beretta sold 185 arquebus barrels to the Arsenal of the Republic of Venice. The intuition of a small artisan workshop marked the beginning of five centuries of history and of a globally trusted name.

1571

A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY.

The support for the Republic of Venice in Lepanto halted the Ottoman advance and marked the beginning of the positioning as a leader in firearms excellence.

1790

TWO SIDES OF HISTORY.

Beretta supplied 40,000 muskets to the French army. The guns were used by both the revolutionaries and the Empire's forces, transcending sides as they saw action under different banners.

1830

THE PIONEERING TWIST.

Perfecting the Damascus steel method has allowed to revolutionise industrial barrel production, making Beretta a true pioneer in the field.

1850

RESILIENCE FORGED IN CRISIS.

When the Mella River flooded, Beretta didn't just recover; they rebuilt and established their current production site, turning a crisis into a new beginning.

1880

FIRST FIREARM SHOWROOM.

Giuseppe Antonio Beretta started the world's first firearms showroom, known today as the Beretta Private Collection (or Beretta Museum) holding more than 1200 historical fireams.

1903

MASTER PRODUCTION AND QUALITY.

Under the guidance of Pietro Beretta, a historic leap: from artisanal tradition to modern industrial production, which made the company a trusted supplier for governments and foreign markets.

1913

SUSTAINABLE BEFORE SUSTAINABILITY.

At a time when energy came mainly from fossil fuels, Beretta built one of the first hydroelectric power plants in Italy.

1915

THE DAWN OF THE MODERN SHOT.

The creation of the first semi-automatic pistol, the Model 1915, marked the company’s transformation into a global brand.

1933

CRAFTING LUXURY.

The SO1 was born, a handcrafted luxury shotgun and precursor to the modern SO10, opening the global market for premium over-under shotguns.

1945

A NEW BRAVE ADVENTURE.

The BBC car: Beretta’s adventure in the automotive industry. The company produced automobiles for a short period, but this clearly demonstrated its capability to innovate and venture into new areas.

1947

INDUSTRIAL MASTERY BEGINS.

The ASE field shotgun was born: the first over-and-under employing machining and industrial technology. Combining experience and boldness, the ASE is the forefather of the legendary DT11.

1949

A TURNING POINT.

In the post-war scenario Beretta became Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. (the equivalent of a Public Limited Company or a Corporation ).

1950

THE BRIDGE TO AMERICA.

Driven by the desire to establish a presence far from its roots, Beretta crossed the ocean for the first time and set its sights on the United States.

1953

THE MARK OF A GENIUS.

Gabriele D'Annunzio's artistic genius saw the significance of Beretta and gifted what has become the company's historic logo.

1956

LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

A winning decision led Beretta to participate in its first Olympic Games in Melbourne, where Galliano Rossini won a gold medal using a Beretta shotgun.

1977

THE AMERICAN BREAKTHROUGH.

Beretta USA was founded, establishing a direct presence in the United States to better serve both private customers and institutional partners.

1981

A LEGACY OF HOPE.

With human and ethical motivations at its core, the Beretta Foundation was created to advance cancer study and treatment, benefiting the local community.

1985

THE M9 ERA BEGINS.

A precision weapon that combines durability and reliability in all conditions, adopted by the U.S. military with an order of 457,454 units.

1990

A NEW THREAD OF EXCELLENCE.

Beretta's clothing line was launched to fuse functional hunting apparel with sophisticated lifestyle design.

1995

THE DIGITAL GATEWAY.

When digital did not yet dominate the world, Beretta was ahead of its time by registering the first web domain: beretta.com.

1995

THE DOORS OPEN.

The first Beretta Gallery opened in New York, taking a pioneering step in the industry: engaging directly with end users for the first time, moving beyond the traditional focus on retailers and specialists.

1995

ONE VISION, MANY PATHS.

Beretta Holding expanded global opportunities through the integration of companies producing and distributing complementary products to Beretta.

2011

THE VALUE OF DEFENSE.

The founding of Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) has enabled Beretta to quickly adapt to the evolving global defense market.

2023

CRAFTING EXCELLENCE.

A new collection was born to preserve artisanal craftsmanship, combining elegance, attention to detail, excellence, and passion: the Pietro Beretta Selection.

2023

THE FIRST GREEN SHOT.

As a symbol of Beretta’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the company chose to certify the carbon footprint of its products for the first time.

2024

THE CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS.

At the Paris Olympic Games, 14 out of 15 clay shooting medals were won by athletes shooting with a Beretta. This unprecedented victory marked a historic record for the brand.

2024

500 YEARS IN EVERY INVENTION.

The invention of the Steelium Pro X barrel completed the Steelium range, bringing in centuries of craftsmanship and the best of Beretta technology, for superior ballistic performance and a legacy built shot by shot.

2026

A TIMELESS STORY.

With the gaze fixed on the future, Beretta celebrates the first five centuries of a timeless story, built on insights, values, innovation, and a shared purpose.

AND NOW, WE'LL FORGE
THE NEXT 500 YEARS,
TOGETHER