Baikal 1J58: what's it worth

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Hugh Conway

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A really nice old Baikal 1J58M Made in USSR, so it is at least 30 years old
I was given this by an old fellow who's passed on. It's in excellent shape, a 12ga SxS with really tight chokes, Rt barrel is .679" Lt barrel is .671" Etching on the receiver, crosshatched grip, no dings, no rust or corrosion. Still has a bit of grease on the internals. He gave me 2 boxes of shells, one full, another with only one missing. It may have been the only round fired in this shotgun. In any case, it is in excellent shape, very tight.
Anyone have an idea of its worth?
Cheers
Hugh Conway
 
Roughly $300.00--$350.00 give or take on the buyer. While these are fairly reliable guns, they don't bring a high value. If it is like new then you may find a buyer willing to pay more than $350.00.
 
@ Gunsaholic.....I think you posted your reply within 2 minutes of my asking! This is my 1st post at this site, I am impressed at the immediate response!
Cheers
Hugh
 
Hugh Conway said:
@ Gunsaholic.....I think you posted your reply within 2 minutes of my asking! This is my 1st post at this site, I am impressed at the immediate response!
Cheers
Hugh
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I agree with Gunsaholic’s assessment.

And welcome to the forums. Lots of knowledgeable people here...Gunsaholic being one of them. There isnt anything that users here cant figure out
 
I bought one for $325 in the condition you discribed. Its been flawless and well used over the years. Still one of my favorite guns. 300-350 is about what theyre worth
 
Baikal side by sides are worth a lot more than they trade for. The 58 is the work horse of the line but utterly reliable and has decent handling qualities. Most are configured the way I like double guns, double triggers and extractors. The soviet era guns were put together better than the current Russia built guns. The Russia built guns are still good value for money but fit and finish is lacking. For a current day company tasked with building an IJ 58 in North America I think it be upwards of 1500.00 to complete. Now that can be said of a lot of older gun models but the IJ58 was marketed as an affordable gun for the working man. Good luck with the gun Hugh it will give you stellar service. For some really good info on the gun check out a blog called " Russian Hunting Shotguns" by Alexsei Morozov. This guy has made it a life's work on the subject.

Darryl
 
I have over 65000 rounds thru mine. Only issue is the metal lug that holds the forend is wearing and really sharp. Slight play in the forearm. Barrels are still tight. Killed alot of crows with it
 
This model and the open hammer version that preceded it are both solidly built, well balanced Russian copies of expired British patents. They benefit from 200 years of English design developments and the cheap labour costs in the USSR at the time of production.

Provided you don't need removable chokes, they are a bargain at the prices they sell for in Canada. Very little time/effort was put into the final finish, so they aren't much to look at and don't need to be fussed over in the field. However, if you ever want to try your hand at stock or metal refinishing, or you're a budding engraver, these gun are an inexpensive "raw" platform to start from. A seasoned gun restorer/refinisher could turn one of these into a silk purse (but someone with those skills is more likely to focus on classic guns that will appreciate dramatically from the work). The stocks are made from birch, so you'll not find one with great figure, unless it's one of the few that came from the TOZ custom shop.
 
Thanks Darryl I've written to Alexsei Morozov requesting any information regarding dating of this gun.
And thanks too to all of you who have welcomed me and provided additional information.
BTW, I have no intention of selling this Baikal, it will be a keeper, It's selling price is a point of interest
Kind regards to all
Hugh
 
gunsaholic said:
65,000 or 6500?
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65 000.
Flat a week for several years between trap and skeet. Then 100 to 150 rounds a week for skeet for several more years plus living on the best crow flight in ontario for 7 years the round count gets high quick. I still use the gun. Mostly for hunting but it still sees the occassional round or 2 of skeet. Took the high score at the cgn sxs classic with it last year

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brybenn said:
65 000.
Flat a week for several years between trap and skeet. Then 100 to 150 rounds a week for skeet for several more years plus living on the best crow flight in ontario for 7 years the round count gets high quick. I still use the gun. Mostly for hunting but it still sees the occassional round or 2 of skeet. Took the high score at the cgn sxs classic with it last year

View attachment 347908
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Just shows to their reliability. Quite the workhorses for the money.
 
was it built on a monday or a friday?

Hmmm...I’m pretty sure that’s not terribly helpful information, but if it is really relevant, I suggest it would apply to every gun made prior to CNC machining.
 
brybenn said:
65 000.
Flat a week for several years between trap and skeet. Then 100 to 150 rounds a week for skeet for several more years plus living on the best crow flight in ontario for 7 years the round count gets high quick. I still use the gun. Mostly for hunting but it still sees the occassional round or 2 of skeet. Took the high score at the cgn sxs classic with it last year
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That photo looks awfully familiar....if I recall correctly.....you missed 1 bird so the gun must be defective...
 
Yes. My first shot. Thanks for reminding me lol. Switching from a light beretta a400 to the old recycled lotta is quite the change.
Bet i coukd still get most my money back on that gun too.
They work. And they fit me. Mine is choked nearly identically as the op

They did make some in a straight stock as well. The ij58 mae was also an ejector gun
 
sirhuntsalot said:
How does a IZH 54, circa 1963, compare to a 58, in terms of quality and value?
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The IZ54 was one of the best guns Baikal ever built. They feature cocked hammer indicators and a Greener cross bolt locking system. They were built on Sauer tooling taken by the Soviets at the end of WW2 as war spoils. The 58 is a great gun but the 54 is a better gun with some classy features as noted. Quality and overall appeal on the Baikal line rate like this; IZ54, IZ26,IZ58 and finally the IZ43. The thing to remember that ALL of the guns noted are very good some are just a little nicer.

Darryl
 
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