Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is a privately held Italian firearms manufacturing company operating in several countries. Its firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. Sporting arms account for three-quarters of sales; Beretta is also known for marketing shooting clothes and accessories. Founded in the 16th century, Beretta is the oldest active manufacturer in the world. Its inaugural product, in 1526, was the arquebus barrel; by all accounts Beretta-made barrels equipped the Venetian fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Beretta has supplied weapons for every major European war since 1650.
Venetian State Archive building
Receipt for the supply of arquebus barrels to the Republic of Venice
Beretta M9
Beretta APX
The Type I rifle was produced during the early years of World War II for the Japanese Empire by the Kingdom of Italy.
Type I rifle