In 2026, Beretta will mark an extraordinary milestone: 500 years of continuous activity. To commemorate the anniversary, Beretta has planned a year-long programme of global events, product launches and cultural initiatives.
For those who will have the opportunity to visit the company’s historic headquarters in Gardone Val Trompia during the anniversary year, the experience is intended to offer a rare and lasting insight into Beretta’s past, present and future.
ORIGINS: 1526 AND THE BIRTH OF A DYNASTY
Beretta’s documented history begins on October 3, 1526, when Bartolomeo Beretta supplied 185 arquebus barrels to the Arsenal of the Republic of Venice in exchange for 296 ducats. That transaction, recorded in a single archival document preserved in the Venetian State Archives, marks the official beginning of the company.
The fact that Bartolomeo already held the title of “Master” and was selected by the Serenissima strongly suggests that the Beretta workshop had been active for at least two generations prior. What began as a small artisan enterprise would go on to become the longest-running family-owned dynasty in the history of firearms manufacturing.
A LEGACY BUILT ACROSS GENERATIONS
Over the centuries, Beretta’s expertise was passed down continuously from one generation to the next. Knowledge, craftsmanship and an uncompromising attention to detail moved from Bartolomeo to his descendants — Jacopo, Giovannino, Giovan Antonio and many others — ensuring continuity while adapting to changing times.
A decisive chapter came in the early 19th century with Pietro Antonio Beretta (1791–1853). Despite the political and economic challenges of foreign domination in Italy, he travelled extensively to promote Beretta products, refined the manufacturing of smoothbore barrels for pistols and long guns and formalised the company name as Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta.
His son Giuseppe Beretta (1840–1903) expanded the company’s international outlook, strengthened exports, modernised machinery and repositioned Beretta firmly in the premium firearms segment. He also oversaw the construction of the headquarters that still serves as the company’s operational centre today.
FROM FAMILY WORKSHOP TO GLOBAL GROUP
In the 20th century, Beretta’s growth accelerated under the leadership of Ugo Gussalli Beretta, the fourteenth generation. One of his most influential decisions was to establish a direct presence in the United States, the world’s largest firearms market.
Alongside firearms, the company pursued diversification, developing technical apparel, lifestyle collections and accessories to build a broader product ecosystem. In 1995, Beretta launched its direct-to-consumer strategy with its first flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York. This was followed by the opening of Beretta Gallery locations in major international cities including Paris, London, Milan and Buenos Aires.
Today, Beretta Holding operates more than 50 subsidiaries worldwide and is a global leader across hunting, sport shooting, defence and law enforcement, offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality products.
LEADERSHIP TODAY AND A BUSINESS MODEL FOR THE FUTURE
Beretta is currently guided by the fifteenth generation of the family, including Pietro Gussalli Beretta, chairman and CEO of Beretta Holding, and Franco Gussalli Beretta, chairman and CEO of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. Under their leadership, the company has strengthened its managerial and industrial structure while remaining deeply connected to its heritage and its roots in Gardone Val Trompia.
The company’s strategic direction emphasises advanced manufacturing, sustained investment in research and innovation and selective collaboration with the worlds of art, design and luxury. This approach has positioned Beretta as a modern, technology-driven industrial group while preserving the core values established five centuries ago.
As Franco Gussalli Beretta has noted, quality without compromise remains the company’s defining principle — an idea first established by Bartolomeo Beretta and still central to the brand’s identity today.
THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY: A YEAR OF CELEBRATION AND INNOVATION
The 500th anniversary will extend far beyond a retrospective celebration. Throughout 2026, Beretta will open its doors to reveal key moments from its history, its manufacturing processes and the projects shaping its future in research, technology and industrial design.
A CENTRAL ELEMENT OF THE ANNIVERSARY WILL BE NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES, INCLUDING:
• 10 one-of-a-kind firearms, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, design and innovation
• 7 limited and special editions, celebrating historic Beretta icons while introducing new ones
• Entirely new product platforms, developed to define the Beretta range for the coming years
The anniversary programme will also expand beyond firearms, with exclusive apparel, commemorative accessories and unexpected collaborations with leading brands from other industries. These initiatives aim to connect a broader audience with Beretta’s cultural significance and its role in shaping five centuries of industrial history.
LOOKING AHEAD
As Beretta enters its sixth century, the anniversary serves not only as a reflection on the past but as a statement of intent. It is a window into the next 500 years — one shaped by innovation, global vision and the same commitment to excellence that has defined the company since 1526.
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