Following historical resources, gunsmithing has a long tradition in Italy, especially in Brescia. And the company Beretta is based in this tradition too. Gunsmithes of this family already have been working in the early 16th century.
In 1526, Mastro Bartolomeo Beretta (1490-1565/68) of Gardone received 296 ducats as payment for 185 arquebus barrels sold to the Arsenal of Venice because of their excellent quality. As the name Beretta became synonymous with uncompromising quality, design, materials, construction and performance, word spread beyond the Italian borders, establishing a tradition that has carried over, uninterrupted, through fifteen generations of Berettas.
The trade secrets and attention to detail Jacopo (1520/25 - ...) inherited from his father Bartolomeo were passed on to his own son Giovannino (1550 - post 1577), then to his grandson Giovan Antonio (1577 - post 1649) - on and on from one century to the next.
The year 1680 however is regarded officially as foundation-date of the Societa Pietro Beretta. That time about 1700 produced Beretta arms were marked with the letters P. B. (Pietro Beretta). Beretta at that time already was capable to deliver arms in bigger quantities. According to that already around the year 1720 he supplied to the king of Neapel via a trade company.
The founder of the present branch of the family Beretta however is Guiseppe Beretta, born in 1680.
Between 1750 and 1815 the company Beretta was making profits from the political confuseness of that time. Particularly during the era of the Napolean wars, Beretta appearently increased its production significantly. Which is applied of course also to all other gunsmiths in Gardone and Brescia. Beretta by this probably got the basis of its outraging mechanical production and the leading position of its time. At that time in and around Brescia annually approximately 40000 muskets and pistols have been produced. In the archive of the family Beretta documensts are existing, like passports, identifications and certificates from the time of the Roman republic (1802 to 1805) and the kingdom Italy of Napoleon's mercies (1805 to 1815), that give witness about the unsteadines and also of the activities of that era. At that time (1791-1853), Pietro Antonio Beretta traveled, despite the difficulties, through whole Italy , in order to introduce the superiority of his products, and to catch up with orders.
After 1815, during the time of the restoration, an easy decline of the weapon industries was to be observed in Gardone and Brescia. After all, the arms-factories had become already so famous, that several crowned heads, for example the Austrian emperor, the Bavarian king and some dukes were there for inspection. In 1821 the export of arms was prohibited, and the arms-factories were closed completely in 1855. This seemed to be the end. But, together with other gunsmithes, also Beretta passed that bad times.
When Italy became independent, also the arms-manufacture started again in Brescia and Gardone. Especially hunting-arms now became famous at the internal and foreign market. Unfortunately, during centuries and different nature events, many family documents got lost. So, existing arms often must testify the existence of the family Beretta. One of this witnesses, for instance, is a pair of wheellock pistols, manufactured by Claudio Beretta, 1580 to 1640, and Pauolo Cinelle (1580 to 1645).
The Berettas have always been stubbornly solicitous to improve the production and to widen it, also in the worst times. One of the most important persons in the long history of the Berettas probably was Guiseppe Beretta (1840 to 1903). He was told to be an exceptionally active and smart businessman, who travelled all of Italy and the foreign countries unremittingly. Letters are existing, in which he writes: " Since we strongly have improved the production of breechloaders and have widened now to new products, we are able to supply the newest and most approved systemes to your contentment" (1873), and ".. the revolvers will be also from best quality and topmost elegance. Recently I also produce central-fire-models, which are affordable"(1875). It is probably because Guiseppe Beretta and his tirelessness, that the company turned into one of the biggest and best known in Italy already at that time.
The family however also actively took part in the political life of Italy. Affiliated Antonio Beretta, the brother of the Guiseppe Beretta, in 1866 with some workers of the factory joined as volunteers the groups of Garibaldi.
The five children of the Guiseppe Beretta grew up together with the workers in a friendly atmosphere. Under his eldest son Pietro, born April 22th, 1870, the company turned into a modern arms-factory. Under his management, the company went through a fast and steady ascent. Since he took part in frequent sessions of the international gun-commission in Lüttich and Brussels, he had also opportunity to inform himself about new production possibilities. This resulted in a modernization of the factory, which was able to compete with those in other industrial countries.
The modernization was also continued by the sons Giuseppe, 1906 - 1993, and Carlos, 1908 - 1984, who also started with the foundation of distribution- and production- offices to supply to military and executiv formations in foreign countries.
Worls War I again was a renewing milestone in the history of the company. Since 1917 Beretta himself reached out for a contract with the ministry of war, to equip the army with pistols of new design. It was also the company Beretta, who at first entered a new era with the production of the " Villar-Perosa" machine gun. This was about one of the first machine pistols after all.
After World War I the company could grow again. More personnel was employed, and the base was increased. An individual power plant was furnished, and in 1923, Beretta decisively took part in the foundation of the proofing office in Gardone. At any time the principle of Beretta was, that most modern production methods must not mean loss of the quality.
During World War II Pietro Beretta moved the production into extensive galleries, whiche were dug into a nearby located mountain. These subterranean foyers and walks are still used as shooting stands today.
After the war, the company Beretta, which meanwhile employed 1500 people approximately, continued the production. Military arms were produced as well as arms for the civilian market. Most remarkable are the shotguns, which Beretta was able to produce in inreasing quality together with continuous more and more inexpensiv production costs. The company also succeeded in venturing new export markets. Pietro Beretta, who had received many honors and titles during his life, died the 1st of Mai 1957. His sons Guiseppe and Carlo continued the company, following his spirit.
Today, under the leadership of Ugo Gussalli Beretta and his sons Pietro and Franco, Beretta embarks on the 3rd Millennium with the benefit of centuries of experience. That experience, combined with investments in technology, organization and growing product lines, has prepared Beretta for the demands of the global market of the 21st century.