IZh-59
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| IZh-59 «Sputnik» | |
|---|---|
| Type | double barreled shotgun |
| Place of origin | USSR |
| Production history | |
| Designer | A. A. Klimov[1][2] |
| Manufacturer | Izhevsk Mechanical Plant[2] |
| Produced | 1960 - 1964[3] |
| No. built | 21 218[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.3 - 3.5 kg[1][3] |
| Barrel length | 750mm[1][3] |
| Caliber | 12 gauge[3] |
| Action | Break-action[2] |
| Rate of fire | variable |
| Sights | iron sights |
The IZh-59 «Sputnik» (ИЖ-59 «Спутник») is a Soviet double-barreled shotgun.[1]
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.[3]
Since January 1961, the price of one standard IZh-59 was 120 roubles.[1]
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.[3]
In total, 21 218 shotguns have been made.[2]
Design
IZh-59 «Sputnik» was the first model of Soviet over and under shotguns.[4][3][5][6]
It is a hammerless shotgun, with chokes at the muzzle end.[3]
It has a walnut or beech stock and fore-end.[3] Some shotguns were equipped with rubber recoil pad on its shoulder stock.[1]
Variants
The shotguns were produced in eight versions, which had minor differences between them.[6]
- IZh-59-2 «Sputnik-2» (ИЖ-59-2 «Спутник-2») – was equipped with a second pair of 650mm detachable barrels[6]
- 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[6]
- 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[6]
- IZh-59-5 «Sputnik-5» (ИЖ-59-5 «Спутник-5») – was the version of standard IZh-59 hunting shotgun with ejector[6]
