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In the 1920’s, Holland & Holland introduced a new model of shotgun called the Riviera. Made as a two-barrel set, the gun was conceived for the sportsman who desired only one gun for game and sport shooting. The Riviera was designed to serve as well shooting upland birds as it would shooting boxed pigeons, which was fashionable among the elite who vacationed along France’s Mediterranean coast, making it a clever name for the gun.  

While the gun was based on Holland’s Royal action, it was originally offered as a Badminton grade, which was less expensive grade than Holland’s Royal or Model De Luxe. Both sets of barrels were specified as 28”, but one set was choked relatively open and paired with a splinter forend and the other with tight chokes and paired with a beavertail style forend. Thus, one set of barrels for a day of walk-up shooting and another set ready for the pigeon ring.  

The Riviera model was offered in Holland’s catalogs well into the 1960’s and while it was not advertised after that era, just like the Brevis model, modern versions of the Riviera were made by Holland’s from time to time.  

Ordered in 1984 as a Model De Luxe Self-Opener and completed in 1986, the gun featured here is a modern interpretation of the Riviera taken to new heights. Also based on Holland’s Royal sidelock with hand detachable locks, automatic safety, two triggers, and a rolled guard bow for the righthand shooter.  

The Model De Luxe is a top of the line model by Holland’s with game scene engraving. This gun features flushing rooster pheasants and a pointing dog on the right lock plate, a woodcock in a wooded scene on the bottom of the action, and Mallards flushing off the water on the left lock plate. A Bobwhite quail is engraved whistling atop a fence post on the guard bow. The balance of the gun’s action body and furniture are engraved in a deluxe foliate scroll. The Maker’s name is engraved along the bottom edge of the lock plate with gold lined cocking indicators and the serial number and the word “SAFE” also inlaid in gold. The engraving is signed with the initials: “GLC” hidden in the game scenes. The action body and furniture are brushed bright to highlight the highly detailed engraving.  

The gun is stocked in nicely figured walnut with traditional drop points, a straight grip, a diamond shaped hand, and a 15 1/8” LOP over a checkered butt. Point pattern checkering with Mullered borders and the stock oval engraved with the original owner’s initials, “J.D.G.” and the date, “Nov. 2nd, 1986”. 

One set of 28” chopper lump barrels is paired with a splinter forend and choked .010” in the right barrel and .020” in the left. The other set of barrels are paired with a beavertail forend and are choked .031” in the right barrel and .037" in the left. This barrel is marked with a gold * on the top rib and a dot following each serial number on the bottom of barrel. 

Each set of barrels has a smooth, concave game rib, 2 ¾" chambers and were proofed in London in 1985 and are fitted with Holland’s patented ejectors and Self-Opening mechanism patented in 1922. The Maker’s name and the “33 Bruton St. London” address are engraved on the barrels.  

Each set of barrels also weighs exactly 2 lbs. 12.6 oz. Assembled the gun weighs 6 lbs. 9 oz with the splinter forend and 6 lbs. 12 oz with the beavertail forend; the slightly larger forend adding a few ounces of weight.  

The gun is complete in its original Maker’s lightweight “VC” case for two barrels and remains in excellent overall condition with only a few handling marks on the stock. All metal and bores remain excellent.  

This is a contemporary offering of a classic model from Holland’s and an exceptional gun on so many levels.

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