Episode Details
Back to EpisodesBeretta at 500: Sixteen Generations, One Extraordinary Legacy
Description
In 1526, Bartolomeo Beretta supplied 185 arquebus barrels to the Republic of Venice. Five centuries later, the Beretta family still makes firearms in the same Italian valley—and celebrates a milestone virtually unmatched in the history of gunmaking.
In this special episode of A Break in the Action, host Ryan Doughty sits down with two guests who offer very different perspectives on what it means to carry that legacy forward.
First, Carlo Gussalli Beretta, representing the 16th generation of the Beretta family, discusses the responsibilities of inheriting a 500-year-old family business, the lessons passed down through generations, and the challenge of balancing tradition with innovation.
Then, Irene Ferlito, Product Manager for P. Beretta Selection, takes listeners inside the fascinating world of bespoke Beretta gunmaking. From selecting wood and commissioning engraving to meeting the craftsmen in Gardone Val Trompia, Irene walks Ryan through the process of creating a truly personal shotgun—and explains why centuries-old craftsmanship remains essential in an age of modern manufacturing.
Together, these conversations explore something far more interesting than how Beretta survived for five centuries: how each generation builds on the knowledge of those who came before, and what it takes to keep that legacy going.
Special thanks to Travis Haglin and the Beretta Galleries for helping make this episode possible.
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