Founded on August 5, 1825, in Prague by French engineers Louis Sellier and Jean Maria Nicolaus Bellot, Sellier & Bellot began its legacy manufacturing percussion caps for Emperor Francis I of Austria. Within a few years, production soared—from 60 million caps in 1830 to a staggering 156 million in 1837 — solidifying its early dominance.

Sellier & Bellot Evolution

By 1836, a subsidiary plant opened in Schönebeck (Prussia), and by 1870, Sellier & Bellot ventured into rimfire and centerfire cartridge production, quickly reaching over 10 million cartridges annually. In 1936, growing beyond Prague’s confines, operations moved to a modern facility in Vlašim, which remains the company’s headquarters today.

Sellier & Bellot has weathered multiple regime shifts—from serving the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through both World Wars (WWI and WWII saw the company pivot to massive military production, establishing itself as a global defense supplier), nationalization in 1945 under the communist era, to re-privatization in the 1990s. 

Global Reach

Post-1992, S&B became a joint-stock company, exporting approximately 70–90% of its products across over 80 countries. The 2009 acquisition by Brazil’s CBC (Magtech) injected new investment and global synergies. More recently, in December 2023, it joined the Colt CZ Group—a move marking its integration into a powerful European defense portfolio. 

Sellier & Bellot 200th Anniversary

To commemorate the 200th anniversary, S&B unveiled a refreshed logo at IWA 2025, preserving heritage while modernizing its visual identity. They also rolled out their expansive 2025 catalog, offering over 43 rifle calibres, 23 handgun types, plus shotgun shells and rimfire ammo.

Cutting-Edge Manufacturing

S&B’s Vlašim plant is among the world’s most automated ammunition factories. Daily, it processes massive volumes of brass, copper, lead, and sources gunpowder externally for final assembly. Its rigorous quality control—optical inspection, weight checks, and ballistic testing—ensures top-tier performance.

Looking Ahead

From humble beginnings crafting percussion caps in 1825 Prague, Sellier & Bellot has evolved into an internationally respected, modern ammunition leader. With sustained innovation—automated production, eco-friendly formulations, and diversified calibers—combined with recent corporate backing by Colt CZ, S&B stands poised to remain a dominant force for the next 200 years.