Is This the Prettiest Baikal SXS You Have seen?

[Vikram]

For me yes. I have seen very interesting and some beautifully made Russian guns on the net. None in this configuration.

However, I do not know if the $15K tag is low, reasonable or too high.

Check it out.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... 574548#PIC

Listing for your consideration is this beautiful Baikal side by side 12 ga. shotgun with true sidelocks and double triggers. This piece is highly engraved with beautiful wood. Barrels are 29.5" long and the inside diameter of the muzzle measures (to the best of my ability) RIGHT = 0.720" and LEFT = 0.687". The shotgun was acquired by the present owner in 1988 and was reportedly imported from RUSSIA for a US Embassy official. Unfortunately we have no papers to verify this.

Best-
Vikram

[Mark]

Beautiful engraving, but for 15K one would hope to have a case made for the gun, instead of a case from a different brand.

[inplainsight]

Very nice. Shouldn't the value go down considerably, given that its without a box and papers?

[BowMan]

Now who says the Russians are only utilitarian!!!

[brihacharan]

Beautiful engraving, but for 15K one would hope to have a case made for the gun, instead of a case from a different brand.

Thanks Vikram for sharing
What a beautiful work of art - the engravings especially & the sleek woodwork.
From the dimensions given of the barrels - it appears that the left is a cylinder for shooting slugs & the right a choke primarily meant for birds & small game.
Briha

[Pradyumna]

I don't think so.Left is choke & right is cylindrical.

[brihacharan]

I don't think so.Left is choke & right is cylindrical.

> May be - But the DBBL 12 gauge made by Midland (UK) which I owned had the left as cylindrical & the right one choked
> Hence my inference
Briha

[TwoRivers]

> May be - But the DBBL 12 gauge made by Midland (UK) which I owned had the left as cylindrical & the right one choked
> Hence my inference
Briha

That may have been the case, but the typical (standard) arrangement is for the left, or second, barrel of a SxS to be more tightly chocked. With a bespoke gun, you can, of course, have it arranged any way you please.

[Grumpy]

Yes, it`s the prettiest Baikal I`ve ever seen. It`s also the only Baikal sidelock I`ve ever seen.
Value ? Well, one thing that`s for certain is that in the UK it wouldn`t make the equivalent of $15,000 ( which is roughly £10,000 ) because of Baikal`s reputation for cheap, utilitarian guns. It might ( MIGHT ! ) make £2,500 ...... but would take a VERY long time to sell.
By the way, this gun is very tastefully and conservatively engraved compared to the usual, grotesquely blingy, output of the Baikal and Tula custom shops.

[winnie_the_pooh]

Compared to this,the run of the mill Baikals re-define ugliness.That top lever looks like it would snap in two if manhandled. Vikram,thanks for posting it.

[Mark]

I do have to say that I'd prefer to spend the $15K on this drilling made for president Theodore Roosevelt:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/183 ... ed-gun-set

[Bespoke]

I can't see the pictures since the listing has expired but there was a very fine Biakal for sale sometime ago presented by a Russian General to his Indian counterpart.I might have to dig up for the pictures.

Best,
Bespoke

[Vikram]

I can't see the pictures since the listing has expired but there was a very fine Biakal for sale sometime ago presented by a Russian General to his Indian counterpart.I might have to dig up for the pictures.

Best,
Bespoke

I posted the photos I saved from that listing.Thanks for pointing out.Will be good to see the photos you have.


Best-
Vikram

[Ramandeep]

A beautiful SXS indeed one of the finest Baikal I have seen actually I never have seen a baikal in person. Engraving is just outstanding very few weapons are there with such thick engraving it's just towards the thinner in majority of the weapons, recently i came across a Mauser 0.25 pistol with such thick engravings. The stock is also looking nice beautiful gun indeed. I agree for 15k the gun should atleast have a custom box for it rather than other brand.

Regards

Raman

[Baljit]

A beautiful SXS indeed one of the finest Baikal I have seen actually I never have seen a baikal in person. Engraving is just outstanding very few weapons are there with such thick engraving it's just towards the thinner in majority of the weapons, recently i came across a Mauser 0.25 pistol with such thick engravings. The stock is also looking nice beautiful gun indeed. I agree for 15k the gun should atleast have a custom box for it rather than other brand.

Regards

Raman

+1

with you Ramandeep.

Baljit