Beretta 1526 Parallelo side-by-side shotgun: pure elegance in firearm form
A double genesis inspired by fluid elegance: Beretta announces the 1526 Parallelo, a couple of unique side-by-side shotguns built as part of the limited series of one-off for Beretta's 500th anniversary
Beretta 1526 Parallelo side-by-side shotgun: pure elegance in firearm form
In the year of its 500th anniversary, Beretta continues to surprise and redefine the boundaries of fine gunmaking with the unveiling of its next unique commemorative creation: a pair of side-by-side shotguns inspired by the perpetual motion of nature’s purest and most ever-changing elemental force, water.
The 1526 Parallelo shotguns are inspired by the fluid elegance of the 486 by Marc Newson and refined through the technical excellence of the Beretta SO10.
This unique pair of 12-gauge side-by-sides blends traditional sidelock mechanism with a design that evokes the movement of water: seamless, reflective, alive.
For the first time in fine gunmaking, the fleeting movement of liquid has been captured and immortalized in steel.
At the heart of the receiver, a golden Beretta 500th year anniversary logo becomes the source of a series of flowing waves that ripple across the surface before dissolving into a flawless mirror-polished finish, symbolizing five centuries of continuity, evolution and transformation.
Franco Gussalli Beretta, President & CEO of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., says:
The Beretta 486 by Marc Newson has represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to partner with one of the most influential industrial designers in the world. He came from outside the firearm world and contaminated us with its contemporary yet iconic work. For this one-off pair, we didn’t want to lose the groundbreaking design and seamless lines of his side-by-side - but at the same time we wanted to make a tribute to the timeless charm of the traditional long sideplates in a sidelock action. The result is something…never seen before.
The apparent simplicity of the 1526 Parallelo pair conceals extraordinary complexity, where purity of form, precision machining, and flawless execution leave no room for error. Emanuele Cecchel, PB Selection Platform Manager, explains:
The development of 1526 Parallelo demanded a complete re-engineering of Marc Newson’s iconic side-by-side action to accommodate a true sidelock mechanism while preserving its distinctive, streamlined profile and achieving the slimmest possible cross-section. Leveraging state-of-the-art machining technologies, we managed to eliminate the traditional hinge pins and lower plate, creating a seamless round-body receiver and leaving a blank canvas for an unprecedented design.
The pursuit of a perfectly seamless round-body profile extended to every component of the action.
Marco Martelli, Head of Design at Beretta explains how the trigger guard, trigger, single-block sleeve, and opening lever were all refined to eliminate visual interruptions and reinforce the flowing architecture of the action.
Inspired by the elegant palmette of Beretta's own SO10, the opening lever completes the design with a distinctive detail that seamlessly combines technical function and aesthetic refinement.
Crafted from selected grade 5 walnut, the matching stocks of the 1526 Parallelo shotguns are meticulously refined to meet the exacting PB Selection standard of a maximum weight difference of just one gram within the pair.
Enhanced by over 80 hand-applied layers of Tru-Oil finish to reveal the wood's natural figure and warmth, the walnut creates a striking contrast with the mirror-polished surface of receiver and barrels, achieved through countless hours of hand work by Italian master gunsmiths.
Sharing her excitement for these exceptional creations, Irene Ferlito, PB Selection Product Manager, commented:
Beretta's 1526 Parallelo is not a tribute: it is a new platform, a bold statement of innovation and timeless beauty. To house this unique pair, a bespoke lacquered wood motor case was crafted and adorned with laser-engraved wave motifs around the handle and integrated DLC-coated locks. Its French-fitted interior, lined in black Alcantara by the Pietro Beretta Selection Gun Case Atelier, showcases the shotguns with understated sophistication, transforming storage into a ritual and ownership into an expression of refined taste
For further information, visit the official Beretta website.
