Of all shotguns made in Russia, for hunting or clay sports, the easiest ones to answer the “What model is that?” question are the Tula TsKIB over/unders. On most markets they were sold as Vostok, but on some as Baikal (and, of course, there will always be gun dealers for whom every Russian gun is a Baikal). The model name is right on the barrel flats; you don’t even have to remove the barrels to see it – just break the gun open, look at the left side next to the upper edge of the fore-end, and there you have it! There will be the Cyrillic letters МЦ (which some transcribe as MTs, and others as MC, and some even as MU) and the number that follows them is the model number. Here, for instance, you have a MTs 6.
MTs-6 from Raznoexport catalogue, showing where to look for model number.
The number that follows the model number after a dash is the submodel code. Knowing it, you may be able to tell whether the gun started out as a hunting, Trap or Skeet gun, had single or double triggers, or came as a two-barrel set. This code varies from model to model; on this gun, MTs 6-12, it coincides with the gun’s gauge – this usually stands for a double trigger hunting version.
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Hello! I’m researching my MTs 6-12 now, but i can’t figure out what chokes i have. The markings on the side of the barrel says 10 and 05. Is this full and half, or something else?
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These markings could relate to 0.5 mm (half) and 1.0 (full). That would be unusual for TsKIB guns, that normally had its own way of marking chokes – with letters ДС (contraction for Russian “muzzle constriction”) and number from 0 to 5, indicating contrictions from 0 to 1.25 mm. E.g. ДС4 – full choke. However, TsKIB’s markings were not always uniform, and a variety of markings were used.
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The cyryllic letters are also present with the numbers 10 and 05, yes.
Do you know anything about CIP-testing? I’m having a hard time finding info about the shotgun, determining what ammo i can use whilst hunting.
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Old Soviet proofs can be seen as equivalent to 850 MPA CIP standard. From the practical point of view, you can use any lead or lead-comparable (in terms of hardness) non-tox that comes in 70 mm shell.
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Hello! I enherited a shotgun from my great uncle resently and wonder how old it is.
It is a Star Baikal, serialnumber M07535. My father said that it was bought in 1980 but had been lying at the dealers for a long time so my uncle bought it sheap.
Can you tell me annything about it?
Best regards Terje Andreas from Norway.
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Hi, Terje Andreas,
before I could tell you anything I’ll have to know what the model is. I don’t know what Izh model sold as “Star” in Norway. Look for markings such as “Model Izh 58 MAE”, “Izh 12”, etc. on the sides or underside of the action. Or, at least, tell me whether it’s an over/under, side-by-side, single shot, etc.
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Rihgt! sorry. It is an o/u on the underside of the action it says “IJ 27” but it¨s hard to see, looks more like “IJ22” under a flashlight. I think all of them was called “Star Baikal” in Norway, as a brand name. I have been korected some times wen I´ve said just “Baikal” people korect me and say “Star Baikal”
Terje Andreas.
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Thank you, Terije Andreas! Every bit of info about Russian gun branding for export is very valuable for me. Be assured that it’s Ij27. The letter M in the serial No could stand for 1980, 1978, or 1975. Does it have automatic ejectors?
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Thank you! It has extraktors, no ejectors.
This is my first gun, don’t know much about guns in general. I’ve been to the firing range and they asked me how old the gun was, because steel shot should not be used in older shotguns and it’s ilegal to use lead shot on the range.
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You’re welcome.
Non-ejector reduces it to ’78 or ’80. Still, they didn’t mean them for steel shot those days. Trap and Skeet loads will probably not damage the under barrel, but if the gun has sentimental value, I guess it’s not worth the risk.
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Hi, I’m trying to find out the age of Baikal IJ-18 single barrel shotgun wilth the serial C11914 , can you assist me with that?
Thank you, Bjarni
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Hi, Bjarni, unfortunately there’s no way to date a pre-1986 single shot by serial number, there were too many made and letters were re-used too often.
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Hi.
I have an old shotgun I don’t Konow anything about. Is it possible to tell me a story about the gun? Look like it is a 1966 model, seriel number A8015.
Symbols:
The arrow in shield, «H» in a squere, «12» in a circle.
Thanks from Norway.
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Hi. Arrow in a shield is the trademark of IzhMech (Izh-## models). Need more info – is it a side-by-side, over/under, single shot? What does it look like?
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Hi Aleksei, Can you help me with an over under shotgun that I have on my hands. It´s marked as Baikal, but has model T03-34E marked below the trigger guard referring to Tula. On the barrels the model is T03-34EP and the serial is n85 N4027. It´12/70 with full and imp mod chokes. Best Regards, Heikki Rossinen
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Hi, Hekki, you’ve got a TOZ-34, made by Tula Arms Works, with ejectors (“E” in the model index). It was probably made in 1985. In the USSR “Baikal” was a brand for export of hunting shotguns, cartridges, etc., and not a maker. TOZ-34 is a nice, shallow frame, light and quick-handling gun, but it has a few design elements that are a bit out of the ordinary and require special care. For example, never ever force the gun open.
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Hi Aleksei, And thanks for reverting back. The part that interests me is that it has quite a lot of engrawings on the irons, engrawings and silverline ornaments on the stock. So I would presume that this is somekind of gift model. Are these rare as most of the TOZ shotguns that I have seen before are quite plain and crude build. BR, Heikki
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Yes, TOZ-34 were made not only as standard grade workhorse guns, but also in higher levels of quality and decoration, all the way up to “souvenir” and “exhibition” grade. They are rare, although not so rare as Mts guns, and they mostly stay in the Soviet Union, so yes, for a Western customer it’s a rare find.
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OK, thanks for your help Aleksei! Intresting page you have here. I will follow.
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Good Afternoon, I am having a lot of trouble trying to find info and ballpark value of a MTs-109-12 S/N# N790097. Can you help tell me more about it? Is this a rare gun and/or do you know what it may be worth? I’m getting mixed appraisals coming back. Its in perfect condition new in the box never fired with original accessories still in factory plastic. Thank you in advance from the USA!
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I have pictures I can send as well! The detail and engraving is absolutely stunning!
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Hi Edward, MTs 109 was the “presentation” model, made to impress. It’s quite rare, there were less than 100 guns made per year, although not quite as rare as some other TSKiB guns. Click on the TSKIB tag and you’ll find more info. And your gun, made in 1979 or a bit later, was one probably of the last to enter the USA after trade embargo related to the Afghan war
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Hi Alexei! I have a ’66 MTs-6-04 and am trying to find out whether the bores were factory chrome-plated on this year-model. As far as I know that could only be the case if the original owner had specifically ordered them so, but this was an imported O/U and I’m curious if there is a way to find out. Thank you!
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Are they chrome-lined on your gun?
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Hi, Aleksei. I had an impulsive buy a week ago where a bought a gun that fitted med extremely well. The gun was a МЦ 6-0 in good condition. The lower barrel has an improved Cylinder opening (0,25 mm) and the top barrel has an improved modified (0,65 mm). After i bought the weapon, the weaponsmith in the store recommended me not to use steel skeet ammunition. In Norway it is not allowed to use lead on the shooting ranges and other options are a little to expensive and hard to come by.
Do you think a “МЦ 6-0 in good condition” can handle standard steel skeet ammunition, both regarding pressure, and if the steel will damage the barrels?
And do you know if there exists any official information about pressure testing on the МЦ 6-0?
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Hi, Milan. Congratulations on the purchase. I can’t give an official comment on use of steel shot in non-steel proof guns. It is your gun and your decision to use it or not. All I can say is that a lot of people in Europe seem to be using similar gun & ammo combinations without any negative effects.
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Hello Aleksei
Do you know where I can find the identification of the chokes of a Baikal shotgun? The writing is erased and only a few notches remain on the outer edge of the choke, 3 in one case and 4 in the other.
Thanks a lot
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Hi. What model is that?
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Hi sorry for this “little” detail.
It is a MP27 EM 1C. The chokes are interchangeable
Thanks
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Interesting!
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I have an ij27e 12 ga. Auto eject I was wondering how do I tell if it has 3in chambers the markings on the barrels by the hinge block just say 12 and there’s is no 70mm or 76mm on it … the chambers look long like it would be able to take 3inch … but just want to know for sure ok thank you in advance tyler
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Hi Aleksei, does the MTs 110-12 Side By Side considered a good quality Shotgun and how it stands comparing to the MTs109-12!
what’s the two bulky pistons on the Forearm are for!
Thank you
Ned From the US
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