Congratualtions.

Izh 54 is considered by many the finest gun ever made in Izhevsk.

The one you've got, however, is unusual. The date on the water table - 1954 - suggests the first year of production, and the proof marks look for the most part consistent with that - I can't see them very well, though.

The design of the gun, however, is not.

There were three variations of Izh 54. Yours is consistent with the third one, made from about 1962 to about 1968. This variant featured 720 mm (about 28") monoblock barrels, and rebounding hammers with firing pins in housings that are screwed on from the outside. This is just what we can see on your gun.

However, if it was indeed made in 1954, it had to have 750 mm (30") chopperlump barrels, and non-rebounding locks with firing pin housings screwed from the inside. That's definitely not your gun.

My guess is that someone, at some point, deliberately or accidentally (eg when barrel browning) destroyed the original proof marks and attempted to reproduce them using an earlier gun as a pattern. One thing that convinces me in that, is that "Сделано в СССР" ("Made in USSR") mark is misplaced - there ought to be the serial No there.

That, or you've got an impossibly rare experimental gun that blows up all we know about Izhevst gunmaking.

 

Interesting.

If I find time this weekend, I'll try to clean up the barrel flat area and shoot more pictures of the proof marks. It definitely does appear to be marked 1954, though.

FWIW, I didn't notice any brand/model markings on the gun anywhere.

 

The one you've got, however, is unusual. The date on the water table - 1954 - suggests the first year of production, and the proof marks look for the most part consistent with that - I can't see them very well, though . . .

My guess is that someone, at some point, deliberately or accidentally (eg when barrel browning) destroyed the original proof marks and attempted to reproduce them using an earlier gun as a pattern. One thing that convinces me in that, is that "Сделано в СССР" ("Made in USSR") mark is misplaced - there ought to be the serial No there . . .

Humpty Dumpty, I really appreciate your expertise. Thanks for responding. Here's a couple of more photos of the markings. Upon further examination, I now believe the date may read 1964 (hit "ctrl +" repeatedly to blow up the photo in your browser). You have to squint a bit to read it that way, but the later date would certainly address the inconsistencies you noted . . . anyway, see if you can make any more from these photos. Does the serial number tell you anything?

BTW, it's great that Simpson's put their import marking on the water table rather than on the outside of the gun. I'm not sure what the BATFE thinks about this, but I certainly approve of this practice. I wish more importers followed it.

 

Beautiful Russian boxlock. {hs#

 

I shot another round of skeet with it today. I shot as well with this gun as I did my regular skeet gun (maybe better) but I blew two doubles because I forgot to switch triggers. I'm actually surprised how well (for me anyway) I shoot this thing. The peanut gallery was razzing me and saying that I need to give up on my over/unders and stick with this gun. They also got a kick out of the sling swivels.

 

I haven't checked the date table yet, to see if the с date code is consistent with the 1964 date, but since 1963 the factory stopped stamping the mfg year on the water table. Besides, do you notice a sort of a bridge between the two lugs? It doesn't have to be there, the flat between the lugs ought to be level all over. This usually indicated that someone filed off some portion of the flat, which is common when barrels off one gun are filed on another gun. I could be wrong here, but the new barrel theory would explain all inconsistencies about this gun.

I fired my first shots and killed my first duck with an Izh-54 just like yours; it was Grandpa's gun, my Dad still has it. I'm not surprised at all you did so well at Skeet, these guns are a bit on the heavy side but are really well-balanced, with the balance point right where it has to be for Skeet. Hope you'll enjoy it for a long while!

 

That's a real sweetheart of a shotgun! Beautiful! Well done!

Robert

 

IZ 54 is classic gun in Czech Republic.For us, it's classic weapon used by many hunters.

 

I hope this isn't out of line, but would you be willing to sell this gun? I would love a chance to buy it. Please let me know. I hope I'm not breaking any rules by asking. I can be reached at tenaciousbt@gmail.com

 

FWIW, request fielded. I still own the Babushka.

 

Have to correct myself. I wrote:

do you notice a sort of a bridge between the two lugs? It doesn't have to be there, the flat between the lugs ought to be level all over.

I was wrong. The bridge is right where it's supposed to be.

Having researched Izh-54 again for the sake of the book, I'd say this is a very early Export grade. According to my table, the production of the batch marked C started in 1963, so it's not improbable that the gun was actually finished in 1964, especially if assembled by the custom gun department - which it was, judging by the style of proof marks and cocking levers with jewelled finish. This is consistent with the Export grade specification as regular grade assembled to custom grade tolerances and with custom grade parts.

The "Made in USSR" on the rear lump is consitent with the lack of the same inscription on the sides of the action box and "Model Izh-54" on the floorplate. Apparently, the action box was made before the Export grade markings were adopted, and, being case-hardened, the plant couldn't put any additional marks on it. So they put it on the rear lump, which was perhaps the most sensible thing to do.

 

Have to correct myself. I wrote:

do you notice a sort of a bridge between the two lugs? It doesn't have to be there, the flat between the lugs ought to be level all over.

I was wrong. The bridge is right where it's supposed to be.

Having researched Izh-54 again for the sake of the book, I'd say this is a very early Export grade. According to my table, the production of the batch marked C started in 1963, so it's not improbable that the gun was actually finished in 1964, especially if assembled by the custom gun department - which it was, judging by the style of proof marks and cocking levers with jewelled finish. This is consistent with the Export grade specification as regular grade assembled to custom grade tolerances and with custom grade parts.

The "Made in USSR" on the rear lump is consitent with the lack of the same inscription on the sides of the action box and "Model Izh-54" on the floorplate. Apparently, the action box was made before the Export grade markings were adopted, and, being case-hardened, the plant couldn't put any additional marks on it. So they put it on the rear lump, which was perhaps the most sensible thing to do.

Thanks for the update. FWIW, I no longer have the gun.

 

Bueatiful, my IJ58 MAE is finished the same at the mussel with lines.

 

Hello guys, my Gray grandfather gave to my father a Russian shotgun as a present in the middle of 60s.
My father gave me this shotgun and the only information I had was that it is a Russian shotgun. On the gun I couldn't find any brand or manufacturer information,so I search the documents of the gun (I want to mention that I don't have the original manufacturers documents, I have only the local police station documents) and it says only TOZ. So I thought that I have a TOZ weapon .I randomly found this post and I see that the gun I have it has the same marks as the izh-54 you mention. Can u give me any information about my gun? Is it Baikal? Thanks

 

Hello guys, my Gray grandfather gave to my father a Russian shotgun as a present in the middle of 60s.
My father gave me this shotgun and the only information I had was that it is a Russian shotgun. On the gun I couldn't find any brand or manufacturer information,so I search the documents of the gun (I want to mention that I don't have the original manufacturers documents, I have only the local police station documents) and it says only TOZ. So I thought that I have a TOZ weapon .I randomly found this post and I see that the gun I have it has the same marks as the izh-54 you mention. Can u give me any information about my gun? Is it Baikal? Thanks

To give us something to go on, shoot some close ups, detailed, well-lit photos of the markings on the barrel "flats". You'll need to take the barrels off the gun to find these markings. (Side lighting helps show off the markings). Something like this:

A clear photo of the receiver, might also allow somebody to recognize what you have. This is what a IZH-54 looks like:

 

I have a problem with the upload of the photos, I put the photos but nothing happens,can you give me an email to sent you?

 

Here are Savvou's photos. Can anyone offer any guidance . . . Where's Humpty Dumpty when you need him?