IZh-59

The IZh-59 "Sputnik" (ИЖ-59 "Спутник") is a Soviet over-and-under shotgun. It was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (IZhMASH) in Izhevsk, Russia. The IZh-59 was chambered for the 12-gauge cartridge and featured a novel, for the time, vertically stacked barrel design intended to improve balance and recoil management. Its production run was relatively limited compared to other IZh shotguns, making it somewhat rare and sought after by collectors. Key features included a selective single trigger, ejectors, and typically, a well-figured walnut stock. Its design aimed to be a higher-quality sporting shotgun, reflecting the increased emphasis on recreational shooting within the Soviet Union during that period. The "Sputnik" name referenced the Soviet Union's early successes in space exploration.