IZh-59

The IZh-59 «Sputnik» (ИЖ-59 «Спутник») is a Soviet double-barreled shotgun.

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.

Since January 1961, the price of one standard IZh-59 was 120 roubles.

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.

In total, 21 218 shotguns have been made.

Design
IZh-59 «Sputnik» was the first model of Soviet over and under shotguns.

It is a hammerless shotgun, with chokes at the muzzle end.

It has a walnut or beech stock and fore-end. Some shotguns were equipped with rubber recoil pad on its shoulder stock.

Variants
The shotguns were produced in eight versions, which had minor differences between them.
 * IZh-59-2 «Sputnik-2» (ИЖ-59-2 «Спутник-2») - was equipped with a second pair of 650mm detachable barrels
 * 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
 * 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
 * IZh-59-5 «Sputnik-5» (ИЖ-59-5 «Спутник-5») - was the version of standard IZh-59 hunting shotgun with ejector

Users

 * USSR
 * 🇺🇸 USA - the import was allowed