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A Dynasty for Over Four Centuries...
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.
Already in production in the early 1500s, Beretta products were
chosen by the highly discriminating Republic of Venice because of
their excellence. As the Beretta name 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.
In the early 1800s Pietro Antonio Beretta
(1791 – 1853), in spite of difficulties arising from constant wars
and foreign domination, traveled throughout Italy to demonstrate
the superior quality of his products and collect orders. Pietro
Antonio’s son Giuseppe (1840 – 1903) continued the arduous effort
begun by his father, creating new opportunities for the company
through international distribution.
In the early 1900s Pietro (1870 – 1957) took
the Company reins, introducing modernized manufacturing methods,
many patents for mechanisms and simplified construction, consequently
establishing Beretta, the first Italian firearms maker, as one of
the most modern firearms production facilities in the world. The
modernization process was continued by the sons Giuseppe (1906 –
1993) and Carlo (1908 – 1984), securing the Company’s multinational
character with commercial and production activity in numerous European
countries and the United States. These efforts created successful
ventures in the military, law enforcement and private sectors.
Beretta Today
Today, under the leadership of Cav. Ugo
Gussalli Beretta (center) and his sons, Franco (left)
and Pietro (right), 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.
For more information about the history and
heritage of Beretta, please visit our Beretta International website
at: http://www.beretta.com.
Doing Business with Beretta U.S.A.
Beretta U.S.A. solicits and encourages small
and small disadvantaged businesses to compete for our subcontracts.
Review
our policy online.
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