Lot: A Unique and Historic Soviet Shotgun, IZh-27, 1978
A museum-caliber artefact of Soviet gunmaking excellence, presented in an opportunity that defies repetition. This is serial number 00001 of the legendary Baikal IZh-27 over-under shotgun – the absolute first of its kind, the birth of a design that would go on to become the world’s most recognizable Russian smoothbore. This is not merely a firearm; it is the Genesis model.
The Gun: An Exhibition of ‘Shtuchnoe’ Mastery
Executed in the rare, highest factory grade of ‘Shtuchnoe’ (“ШТУЧНОЕ”, meaning ‘exclusive bespoke’), this gun was hand-selected and crafted by the masters of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant for a purpose of supreme prestige. It is a celebration of traditional artisanship:
- Stock: Exhibition-grade Circassian walnut, hand-oiled to a deep, lustrous finish and featuring meticulous, hand-cut checkering.
- Embellishment: The deep, silvery canvas of the action is transformed by extensive, hand-chased engraving, alive with classic hunting motifs. Sterling silver inlays highlight the flora and fauna, catching the light with a reserved opulence.
- The Hallmark of Primacy: Unlike standard production guns, the serial number “00001” is not simply stamped; it is proudly and artfully engraved on the metal, an unmistakable signature of its position as the firstborn.
The gun remains in excellent condition, carrying the gentle, honest wear of a cherished tool used by a true sportsman, not simply locked away.
The Provenance: The Soul of the Wild East
This is where the gun’s story transcends the workbench and enters legend. From the moment it left Izhevsk, the Baikal 00001 was destined for the vast, untamed wilderness of Bashkiria, Russia. Here, in the shadow of the Ural Mountains, it was the trusted companion of a dedicated hunter on a breathtaking litany of expeditions.
It has spoken with authority against the charging wild boar, swung gracefully on pheasant, and delivered precision on the fleet-footed roe deer. However, it is one exploit that seals its mythical status: with this very gun, a Bashkirian brown bear was taken. As a profound and tangible piece of this narrative, the original, recovered, mushroomed bullet extracted from that bear is presented alongside the shotgun. It is a physical testament to the rifle’s moment of ultimate truth, a relic that binds the object to the earth, the hunt, and a life-and-death drama of the taiga.
The Offering
We are not asking for a price; we are inviting a conversation. The Baikal 00001 is a singularity. It is the sacred intersection of absolute numerical primacy, preeminent Soviet gunmaking art, and iron-clad, documented hunting provenance that places it in a category of one.
For the sophisticated collector of Wunderkammer objects, a custodian of hunting heritage, or an institution seeking the definitive, unrivaled centerpiece—this is your moment.
Price Upon Request – By Private Treaty
This exceptional ensemble, comprising the IZh-27 No. 00001 and its accompanying historical artefact (the recovered bear bullet), is offered for acquisition by sealed bid or private negotiation. Discerning collectors, foundations, and museums are invited to submit their offer of purchase.
To register your interest and propose a value worthy of this irreplaceable piece of history, please direct all correspondence to the email below. We welcome a dialogue with serious principals and their appointed agents.
Submit Your Offer To: izh27.00001@gmail.com
An exclusive, once-in-a-civilization opportunity to own the first breath of a legend.