IZh-59
The IZh-59 «Sputnik» (ИЖ-59 «Спутник») is a Soviet double-barreled shotgun.
| IZh-59 «Sputnik» | |
|---|---|
| Type | double barreled shotgun |
| Place of origin | USSR |
| Production history | |
| Designer | A. A. Klimov[1] |
| Manufacturer | Izhevsk Mechanical Plant[1] |
| Produced | 1960 - 1964[2] |
| No. built | 21 218[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.3 - 3.5 kg[2] |
| Barrel length | 750mm[2] |
| Caliber | 12 gauge[2] |
| Action | Break-action[1] |
| Rate of fire | variable |
| Sights | iron sights |
History
In the mid-1950s in Soviet Union began work on design the first model of double-barreled shotgun in over/under configuration. In 1959, the development of the model was completed and since 1960 Izhevsk Mechanical Plant began its serial production[2].
In early 1960s, work began on creating a new model based on the IZh-59 design. In 1962, first IZh-12 shotguns were made, since 1963 began its serial production. In 1964, production of IZh-59 was discontinued[2].
In total, 21 218 shotguns have been made[1].
Design
IZh-59 «Sputnik» was the first model of Izhevsk over and under shotguns[2][3][4].
It is a hammerless shotgun, with chokes at the muzzle end.[2]
It has a walnut or beech stock and fore-end.[2]
Variants
The shotguns were produced in eight versions, which had minor differences between them[4].
- IZh-59-2 «Sputnik-2» (ИЖ-59-2 «Спутник-2») - was equipped with a second pair of 650mm detachable barrels[4]
- IZh-59-3 «Sputnik-3» (ИЖ-59-3 «Спутник-3») - was the version of standard IZh-59 hunting shotgun with minor differences in trigger mechanism[4]
- IZh-59-4 «Sputnik-4» (ИЖ-59-4 «Спутник-4») - was the sporting version for skeet shooting, also equipped with a second pair of barrels[4]
- IZh-59-5 «Sputnik-5» (ИЖ-59-5 «Спутник-5») - was the version of standard IZh-59 hunting shotgun with ejector[4]
References
- Михаил Драгунов. Анатолий Климов. Неизвестный конструктор известных ружей. К 80-летию со дня рождения // журнал «Калашников. Оружие. Боеприпасы. Снаряжение», № 1, 2001. стр.4-6
- А. В. Кузьминский. Оружие для охотника: практическое пособие / под общ. ред. А. Е. Тараса М., ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2002. стр.175-176
- Л. Е. Михайлов, Н. Л. Изметинский. Ижевские охотничьи ружья. Ижевск, изд-во «Удмуртия», 1976. стр.9
- М. Галась. Первая ижевская вертикалка // журнал «Мастер-ружьё», № 8 (221), август 2015. стр.24-27
Sources
- Л. Е. Михайлов, Н. Л. Изметинский. Ижевские охотничьи ружья. 2-е изд., испр. и доп. Ижевск, изд-во «Удмуртия», 1982.
- Ижевское оружие. Том 1. Ижевские ружья / Н. Л. Изметинский, Л. Е. Михайлов. - Ижевск, издательство Удмуртского университета, 1995. - 247 стр. : ил.