On May 29, Beretta introduced the second of ten One-Off firearms that will be manufactured in 2026 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the Italian gunmaker, the oldest firearms manufacturer to still be active today.

If the first of these unique guns – the Beretta Titan semi-automatic rifle – was a homage to modern sporting firearms with an eye to the future, the second Beretta one-off celebratory creation is definitely more classic in nature.

The Beretta SO10 EELL 20-gauge over-and-under shotgun represents an extraordinary homage to the origins, history, and heritage of Beretta's craftsmen through a timeless vision of strength and art, translating into a classic and sumptuous interpretation of the events that led to the establishment of the Beretta company.

An engineering masterpiece designed with millimetric precision, the SO10 is built around a receiver machined from a solid block of special high-resistance tri-alloy steel, with no casting or welding. The Beretta's SO10 over-and-under shotgun's iconic sidelock system, based on two detachable side plates, provides direct access to the working mechanism and a unique insight to the perfection of its overall setup.

The flawless operation of the SO10 EELL History shotgun is ensured by a rear longitudinal bolt aligned with the hinge pins, complemented by two additional lower lugs for enhanced locking strength and efficiency, and the classic trapezoidal barrel shoulders working in opposition with those of the receiver.

The state-of-the-art design of this one-of-a-kind piece is exquisitely enhanced by Tru-Oil finished, select Grade V walnut wood stock and forend, and a set of mirror-polished 76mm / 30" barrels.

The receiver of the SO10 EELL History shotgun is the heart of this unique creation, and portrays one of the key moments of Italy's history: the 1525 battle of Pavia, when the imperial troops of Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria Charles V defeated the armies led by Francis I, King of France.

The battle of Pavia was one of the first ever large-scale battles where the use of firearms surpassed and overwhelmed pikes, swords, spears, and other bladed and edged weapons that had historically been a mainstay of warfare up until then.

Only one year later, in 1526, the first receipt signed by Bartolomeo Beretta for the delivery of 185 arquebus barrels to the arsenals of the Republic of Venice marked the start of a history that lives on to this day, five centuries later.

Over 1,000 hours of hand engraving in multiple techniques – including hammer and chisel and burin, with extensive gold and copper inlays – enrich the backgrounds and amplifying the grandeur of the scene.

Set within a rich deep-scroll framework, the engraved architecture of the city of Pavia becomes the stage for a powerful historical narrative. On the left, Spanish soldiers wielding arquebuses engage the French cavalry depicted on the right sideplate.

At the bottom of the receiver, the story reaches its climax as victors and vanquished converge in the aftermath of the battle, illuminated by the golden Beretta 500 Years logo: a seal marking this defining historical moment. The fretworked opening lever and trigger guard serve as refined tributes to the Company’s 500-year milestone.

A pinnacle of craftsmanship from master gunsmiths and engravers who work on the Pietro Beretta Selection projects, the one-off SO10 EELL History shotgun brings the Battle of Pavia of 1525 to life by capturing not only the intensity, but the human drama and defining power of one of the Renaissance’s most pivotal clashes, with every single line.

For additional information, visit the official Beretta website.