Few names in the world of field sports carry the same weight as Beretta. In 2026, the Italian maker marks an extraordinary milestone — 500 years of continuous operation, making it one of the oldest industrial dynasties in the world.
Founded in 1526 in the small town of Gardone Val Trompia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Beretta began as a specialist maker of gun barrels. An early invoice from Bartolomeo Beretta records the supply of 185 arquebus barrels to the Venetian Republic — a document that not only marks the company’s beginning, but also establishes a standard of quality that would define the centuries to follow.
From the outset, Beretta’s success was rooted in precision. The valleys of Gardone Val Trompia became synonymous with metalworking, and the Beretta family’s ability to refine raw materials into reliable, finely balanced components quickly set them apart. Over time, this reputation grew beyond regional demand, placing Beretta at the centre of European arms-making tradition.
A Craft Passed Through Generations
What sets Beretta apart is not simply its longevity, but its continuity. Across fifteen generations, the company has remained in the hands of the Beretta family — an unbroken lineage that has allowed knowledge, techniques, and standards to be passed directly from one generation to the next.
Through periods of upheaval — political change, industrial revolutions, and global conflict — the business adapted without losing its identity. By the 19th century, Beretta had moved beyond producing individual components and into the manufacture of complete firearms, combining traditional craftsmanship with emerging industrial processes.
Yet even as production evolved, the underlying philosophy remained consistent: products should be built to perform, to last, and to earn their place through use. It is this balance between heritage and adaptation that has allowed Beretta to endure where others have not.
From Military to Field
Like many long-standing gunmakers, Beretta’s history includes significant military production. Firearms such as the Model 34 and later the Beretta 92 series played important roles in 20th-century conflicts, further establishing the brand’s reputation for reliability and precision engineering.
However, it is within the world of field sports that Beretta’s identity feels most closely aligned with its origins. Shotguns designed for game shooting, clay shooting, and sporting use reflect a different kind of craftsmanship — one that balances performance with handling, and engineering with instinct.
These are tools shaped not only by technical requirement, but by experience in the field — by an understanding of movement, timing, and the environments in which they are used.
Beyond the Gun
In more recent decades, Beretta has expanded its focus beyond firearms into clothing and accessories, applying the same principles to what is worn as to what is carried.
Designed for practical use outdoors, Beretta apparel reflects the realities of the field: changing weather, varied terrain, and the need for freedom of movement. Materials are chosen for durability and comfort, while details are shaped by function rather than excess.
This extension into clothing is not a departure from the brand’s heritage, but a natural progression — an acknowledgment that performance in the field is influenced as much by what you wear as by the tools you carry.
A Timeline of Beretta
- 1526 — Bartolomeo Beretta supplies 185 arquebus barrels to the Venetian Republic
- 1600s — The Beretta family continues barrel-making in Gardone Val Trompia
- 1800s — Transition from barrel production to complete firearm manufacturing
- 1918 — Production of the Model 1918 submachine gun during World War I
- 1934 — Introduction of the Model 34 pistol, adopted by the Italian military
- 1976 — Pietro Beretta S.p.A. becomes a modern industrial group
- 1985 — Beretta 92FS adopted by the U.S. Armed Forces
- 2000s — Expansion into technical clothing and accessories for field sports
- 2026 — Celebrating 500 years of continuous family ownership and craftsmanship
An Enduring Standard
Five centuries on, Beretta stands as more than a brand. It represents a way of working — one built on patience, refinement, and a long-term view that prioritises quality over immediacy.
In an era defined by speed and constant change, there is something quietly significant about a company that measures its history not in years, but in centuries. The continuity of Beretta is not simply about survival, but about maintaining relevance without losing identity.
From the first forged barrels of the 16th century to the technical garments worn in the field today, the thread remains the same: a commitment to craftsmanship, and to making products that are defined not by appearance alone, but by how they perform over time.
Looking Ahead
As Beretta marks its 500th year, the focus remains much as it always has been — on the next generation, and on continuing to refine what has come before.
The tools may evolve, materials may improve, and expectations may shift, but the principle endures: to make things properly, and to make them last.
Explore our Beretta Clothing and Accessories range here: Beretta Range