Marc Newson targets sharpshooters with a shotgun for Beretta

Shotgun design
Marc Newson's shotgun design for Beretta is one of the better executed, if unexpected, collaborations of the year
(Image credit: press)

When we look at design, versatility is key for us, so we're rather alert to designers branching out from the product world into untapped territory.

Marc Newson designing a gun for Beretta is one of the better executed, if unexpected, collaborations of the year, reaffirming both the designer's creative flexibility and the Italian gunmaker's ability to adapt to modernity while maintaining its 500-year identity.

The new '486 Parallelo' is a contemporary update of a traditional side-by-side hunting shotgun, with a new walnut bridge making the design and user experience more seamless than ever. It is certainly an elite item few will appreciate – least of all the subtle but revolutionary design of the safety catch, which makes Newson's design unique and groundbreaking in its simplicity. Recently unveiled in London, the firearm made its debut alongside a short film by Ancarani Studio, 'Human Technology', celebrating the genesis of a Beretta shotgun.

As with every Beretta firearm, the 486 includes an intricate engraving, inspired by Japanese scrollmakers. Newson, who wanted to pay tribute to hunts in the Scottish highlands with this shotgun, uses his engraving to explain how pheasants were introduced into Europe from the Far East.

Although gunmaking might sound like a bold departure from his now-iconic product design, Newson says he is most enthusiastic when he immersed in a variety of disciplines, fields and industries. 'I am interested in the way things work - it's a technical obsession,' he says, adding that his versatility has found him recently in the luxury fashion world, designing a piece for Louis Vuitton's Iconoclasts collection, and collaborating earlier this year with tech giant Apple as part of Jonathan Ive's design team.

The 486 Parallelo

The '486 Parallelo' is a contemporary update of a traditional side-by-side hunting shotgun, with a new walnut bridge and guard fixing

(Image credit: press)

The welding lines

The designer eliminated the welding lines in the barrel and gave it a refined finish

(Image credit: press)

Newson's working sketch

Newson's working sketch of the shotgun, which pays tribute to hunts in the Scottish highlands

(Image credit: press)

The designer

The designer engraves his signature on the 486 during the launch in London

(Image credit: press)

The gun

The gun includes an intricate engraving, inspired by Japanese scrollmakers

(Image credit: press)

The safety catch

Newson also gave it a new opening lever and a subtle but revolutionary makeover of the safety catch

(Image credit: press)

ADDRESS

Beretta Gallery
36 St James's St
London SW1A 1JD

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Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.