Beretta Offers the SO Sparviere Marco Polo at Auction
In a remarkable tribute to the legendary Venetian explorer Marco Polo, Beretta has unveiled the SO Sparviere Marco Polo, a bespoke over-and-under shotgun that exemplifies the pinnacle of Italian craftsmanship and artistry.
This unique firearm, part of Beretta’s esteemed Pietro Beretta Selection, commemorates the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s passing, celebrating his monumental contributions to exploration and cultural exchange.
The SO Sparviere Marco Polo is built upon the renowned SO6 EELL platform, a testament to Beretta’s legacy of producing exceptional firearms.
The creation of this masterpiece demanded over 2,000 hours of meticulous labor, with 1,500 hours dedicated solely to hand engraving by Master Luca Casari’s team, and an additional 500 hours invested by expert gunsmiths, stock makers, and case artisans.
The receiver’s body is meticulously hammered and punched to form a seamless tapestry inspired by a medieval Rutter (Portolano or Periplus), an essential guide for Italian sailors navigating the Mediterranean before the advent of nautical charts.
The hinge pins and screws are adorned with copper-inlaid, enameled compass roses—polar diagrams elegantly displaying cardinal and intermediate directions, the tools that guided countless explorers into the unknown.
Two breathtaking engraved scenes capture the essence of Marco Polo’s life:
• Left Sideplate: Portrays Venice, Marco Polo’s hometown, where his journey began and ended.
• Right Sideplate: Transports us to the Mongolian steppes, where Marco Polo ventured into the grandeur of Asian landscapes, architecture, and culture.
The forend release button bears a Chinese inscription that translates to “Uniting Europe and Asia as two parts of a single gem.” This poetic sentiment reflects Marco Polo’s role in bridging two worlds, celebrating the unity of cultures and the shared beauty of our global heritage.
The pistol grip stock and forend are crafted from exquisite Grade 5 walnut, finished with approximately 80 layers of Tru-Oil, achieving a luminous finish that enhances durability while preserving the wood’s grain. The Scottish checkering on the pistol grip and forend harmoniously echoes the intricate diamond patterns found on the firearm’s metallic components.
Complementing the firearm is a bespoke case, handcrafted by Italian master leather-workers in the Pietro Beretta Selection Gun Case Atelier.
The case features bright yellow leather with a digital print of a map depicting Europe, Asia, and Africa—the known world during Marco Polo’s time. Blue leather details adorn the edges and handle, while the interior boasts Venetian red silk fabric with a golden roses design, elegantly matching the exterior.
The display case for the SO Sparviere Marco Polo was made in Murano, Venice, by the craftsmen of Arte Veneziana. It is a matt-lacquered cabinet with a wood frame and galvanized steel metal elements.
The fronts and doors are made of extra-clear 8mm tempered glass, with hand-engraved decoration on the front and back, mirrored and painted copper with a semi-transparent effect.
The decoration on the glass is based on the original miniatures from the book Il Milione, depicting the departure of Marco Polo and his uncles from Venice to the East. The scene reproduces San Marco’s Square in Venice in the 13th century.
This extraordinary firearm will be displayed in the USA for a limited time at Beretta’s flagship gallery store on Madison Avenue in New York City.
Collectors and enthusiasts have the exclusive opportunity to acquire this masterpiece through a private auction, which concludes on January 31 at 11:59 PM EST. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Beretta Gallery USA for further details. For more information, visit Beretta Gallery USA’s official website.
To explore the intricate details of this masterpiece, watch the official presentation video:
