Vincenzo Bernardelli S.p.A.
Defunct Italian firearms manufacturer from Gardone Val Trompia, known for sporting guns, pistols, revolvers, rifles, and military production.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Vincenzo Bernardelli S.p.A., commonly known as Bernardelli, was an Italian firearms manufacturer based in Gardone Val Trompia in the province of Brescia, one of Europe’s historic centers of gunmaking. The company’s family background in firearms reached back to the seventeenth century, when members of the Bernardelli family became connected with the Acquisti gunmaking interests in the Val Trompia area. A Bernardelli family presence in the local arms trade is also associated with the acquisition of a large gun factory in 1721. The industrial company identified with Vincenzo Bernardelli, however, was established in 1865 by Vincenzo Bernardelli after he had worked at the Franzini Arms Factory and become a specialist in Damascus-twist shotgun barrels. Bernardelli initially produced Damascus shotgun barrels and then expanded into complete firearms. Vincenzo’s four sons joined the business and divided responsibilities across the manufacturing operation. The company outgrew its original premises and in 1908 acquired a large former textile factory, which became the basis for later expansion. Its manufacturing equipment was historically powered by water, a distinctive feature that reportedly continued into the late twentieth century. After the First World War, the plant was modernized, and the company broadened its commercial and technical capabilities. The business entered the commercial sporting-arms market in a substantial way in 1928. Its early twentieth-century output included shotguns for hunting and sport, and it later developed a broad catalogue of over-and-under, side-by-side, express, pigeon, garden-gun, and luxury sporting models. Between 1928 and 1933, Bernardelli also manufactured more than 25,000 examples of the 10.4 mm Bodeo Model 1889 service revolver, making it the company’s first major handgun production program. During the Second World War, Bernardelli produced artillery fuses in addition to firearms. Fuse production continued after the war until 1986, while postwar investment expanded the factory and introduced newer machinery and manufacturing methods. The company diversified into automatic pistols, revolvers, sporting and target handguns, rifles, and military arms. Its first self-loading pistol was the Vest Pocket, or VP, model, influenced by the Walther Model 9. Bernardelli also produced components for Alfa Romeo aircraft engines during the late 1920s, illustrating the company’s occasional participation in adjacent precision-engineering work. In the 1980s, Bernardelli obtained a license to manufacture versions of the Israeli Military Industries Galil rifle for government use. Its VB-STD and VB-SR designs, including a version adapted to accept NATO STANAG magazines, were submitted during the Italian armed forces’ 1988–1989 search for a successor to the Beretta BM59. The Beretta AR70/90 ultimately won that selection. Bernardelli continued to maintain a recognizable civilian and specialist firearms range, but the company was unable to remain financially viable. In 1997, V. Bernardelli entered bankruptcy, and its assets, brands, and trademarks were acquired by the Turkish Sarsılmaz Arms company. The original company is therefore defunct, although the Bernardelli name remains historically associated with Italian sporting firearms and handguns.
History
The Bernardelli family’s association with firearms in Gardone Val Trompia predates the formal company. In 1631, Bartolino Barnelli married into the Acquisti family, which controlled gun factories in the region; further family ties followed in 1632. The family name is understood to have changed from Barnelli to Bernardelli sometime before the eighteenth century. In 1721, Bernardelli brothers were recorded as having acquired a large gun factory in Gardone Val Trompia. The company later associated with Vincenzo Bernardelli began with Vincenzo’s training at the Franzini Arms Factory, where he became head of the Damascus-twist shotgun-barrel department. In 1865 he established his own business and built a substantial factory using water-powered machinery. The firm first concentrated on Damascus barrels before moving into complete firearms. Vincenzo’s four sons joined the business and took responsibility for different stages of production. After Vincenzo’s death in 1899, his sons assumed full management. In 1908, the brothers purchased a large textile factory to provide additional production space. The facility was modernized after the First World War. Bernardelli became active in commercial sporting firearms in 1928 and also manufactured Bodeo Model 1889 revolvers from 1928 to 1933, producing more than 25,000 examples. During the Second World War, the company diversified into artillery fuses, a line that remained in production until 1986. Postwar expansion brought new machinery and broader product development. Bernardelli produced self-loading pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, and military arms. The VP self-loading pistol was based on the Walther Model 9. In the 1980s, the company manufactured licensed Galil-derived rifles for government use and entered Italian military rifle trials with the VB-STD and VB-SR. These designs were not selected; the Beretta AR70/90 became the Italian Army’s standard rifle. The company ultimately suffered financial difficulties and entered bankruptcy in 1997. Sarsılmaz Arms acquired its assets, brands, and trademarks, ending the independent company’s operations. Bernardelli’s historical visibility also extended beyond firearms circles: a Bernardelli Model 60 appears as the sidearm of Dana Scully in the first season of The X-Files, while the Bernardelli name is referenced by the Bernardelli Insurance Society in Trigun.
- 1997
Bankruptcy and acquisition of assets
[1]Bernardelli entered bankruptcy, after which Sarsılmaz Arms acquired its assets, brands, and trademarks.
- 1986
Artillery-fuse production ends
[1]The company’s artillery-fuse production, begun during the Second World War, continued until 1986.
- 1928
Expansion into commercial sporting arms
[1]Bernardelli entered the commercial sporting-firearms market and began producing Bodeo Model 1889 revolvers during the following years.
- 1908
Factory expansion into a former textile plant
[1]The Bernardelli brothers acquired a large textile factory to provide greater manufacturing capacity.
- 1899
Management passes to Bernardelli’s sons
[1]Following Vincenzo Bernardelli’s death, his four sons took full control of the company.
- 1865
Vincenzo Bernardelli establishes his own firearms business
[1]After working at Franzini and specializing in Damascus-twist barrels, Vincenzo Bernardelli founded the industrial enterprise that carried his name.
- 1721
Bernardelli family acquires a gun factory
[1]Bernardelli brothers were recorded as having purchased a large gun factory in Gardone Val Trompia.
- 1631
Bernardelli family enters the Val Trompia gunmaking network
[1]Bartolino Barnelli married into the Acquisti family, which owned gun factories in Gardone Val Trompia, establishing an early family connection to the regional firearms industry.
Products and positioning
A traditional Italian firearms maker combining Val Trompia craftsmanship with industrial production across sporting guns, civilian handguns, and selected military programs.
Shotguns
Bernardelli sporting shotguns
Bernardelli produced a broad range of sporting and hunting shotguns, including the Model 115 and Model 190, Orione, Brescia, Italia, Italia Extra, S. Uberto, Roma, Elio, Hemingway, Las Palomas, Holland V.B., and Luck lines. These products represented the company’s traditional Val Trompia specialization and ranged from practical sporting arms to higher-grade and luxury-oriented guns.
Pistols and revolvers
Bernardelli handguns
The handgun catalogue included the Vest Pocket, Pocket, Baby, and Sporter pistols, together with Model 60, 68, 80, 90, AMR, 69, PO10, PO18, P. One, and Model USA revolvers and pistols. The range also included Practical VB Target, Custom, and Elite variants for users seeking competition-oriented configurations.
Sporting and military rifles
Bernardelli rifles
Bernardelli manufactured sporting and express rifles such as the Carbina VB Target, Comb 2000, Express 2000, Express VB, Express VB Deluxe, and Minerva. Its military rifle work included the Mod.377 VB-STD, a Galil-derived assault rifle, and the Mod.378 VB-SR, a shorter Galil-derived carbine adapted with a magazine well designed for NATO STANAG magazines.
Service revolver · 1928
Bodeo Model 1889
From 1928 to 1933, Bernardelli manufactured the 10.4 mm Italian Bodeo Model 1889 service revolver. More than 25,000 examples were produced, making the model the company’s first significant handgun manufacturing program.
Ordnance components
Artillery fuses
During the Second World War, Bernardelli diversified into artillery-fuse production. The company continued manufacturing fuses after the war and reportedly maintained this activity until 1986.
Brand decisions
1997
Bankruptcy and transfer of brandsOtherBackground
The company faced financial difficulties and was unable to continue as an independent firearms manufacturer.
Action taken
Bernardelli entered bankruptcy proceedings, and its assets, brands, and trademarks were acquired by Sarsılmaz Arms of Turkey.
Aftermath
The original Vincenzo Bernardelli company ceased operating as an independent business.
1988
Submission of Galil-derived rifles for Italian service trialsStrategyBackground
The Italian armed forces sought a replacement for the Beretta BM59 during trials held in 1988 and 1989.
Action taken
Bernardelli submitted the VB-STD assault rifle and VB-SR carbine, based on licensed Galil production and including a STANAG-compatible configuration.
Aftermath
The Beretta AR70/90 was selected instead, and Bernardelli’s designs did not become Italy’s standard service rifle.
- Beretta — Beretta’s AR70/90 won the selection and became the adopted Italian service rifle.
Sources1 sources
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