For most American firearm enthusiasts, the name Breda is associated with a series of light and heavy machine guns used by the Italian military during World War II. While military firearms are certainly a big part of the company’s history, these days, its production focuses on defense, sporting, competition and hunting shotguns. Long elusive in this country, the brand's U.S. subsidiary, Breda America, was established in 2023 to bring the company's production models to North America. This year, Breda America is adding to its lineup of shotguns with the Victoria family of over-unders.
According to the company, “each Victoria shotgun is handcrafted and hand-fitted in limited editions by a single Italian master craftsman from start to finish”. Every part is serialized and documented. Barrels are made of a special “tri-alloy” steel that is precision bored that “enhances barrel harmonics, minimizes expansion during intense shooting, and delivers flat-shooting accuracy with improved shot velocity and dense, consistent patterns.”
Breda America is currently offering the Victoria in three configurations. The Upland is a lightweight shotgun designed for all-day carry with its CNC-machined Ergal 7075 T6 aluminum alloy receiver. Barrels are available in either 26- or 28-inch lengths and have a top rib, but are only attached at the muzzle and monobloc, and use extended Crio-pattern choke tubes.
Stocks are made of AA-grade, hand-rubbed, oiled Turkish walnut with a Prince of Wales grip with a Schnabel fore-end. Steel parts are given a salt bluing, with a nickel finish on the receiver with hand-chased floral scroll and gold inlay. The Upland is available chambered in 12 or 20 gauge and has an MSRP of $6,299.
The Cover is a hunting shotgun and uses 4140 steel for its receiver. Barrels are available in either 26- or 28-inch lengths, have a mid and top rib, and use extended Crio-pattern choke tubes. Stocks are made of AA-grade, hand-rubbed, oiled Turkish walnut with a traditional full pistol grip and rounded fore-end. Steel parts are salt blued with the receiver having a heat-hardened case-colored finish with hand-chased floral scroll and gold inlay. The Cover is available chambered in 12 or 20 gauge and has an MSRP of $6,499.
The Sport is designed for recreational and competitive sporting clays. Using a steel receiver, barrel lengths are 30 or 32 inches with a tapered, ventilated top rib, ventilated mid rib, and use extended Crio-pattern choke tubes. The furniture finish is hand-rubbed, oiled Turkish walnut with a weighted mercury recoil-and-balance system in the buttstock, and adjustable comb, and a palm swell pistol grip.
Steel parts are salt blued with the receiver having a heat-hardened case-colored finish. Available in two grades, Grade 1 has AA-grade walnut furniture with a light floral-scroll on the receiver. Grade 2, uses semi-fancy-grade walnut with full-coverage hand-chased rose-and-scroll engraving. The Sport is chambered in 12 gauge and has an MSRP that starts at $6,799.
Breda America plans to release models chambered in 28 gauge and .410 bore in the future. For more information, see the company’s website.
