Description:

IZh-12 BAIKAL OVER/UNDER 12-GAUGE SHOTGUN AND CASE, PRESENTED BY MIKHAIL GORBACHEV TO GENERAL POWELL AT THE MOSCOW SUMMIT, JUNE 1988
gift from Mikhail Gorbachev to Colin Powell in 1988. The Soviet era exhibition grade engraved and gilded model lZh-12 break-action over/under shotgun with blue steel barrel and checkered walnut stock. The blue-ribbed barrel with nicely figured and checkered walnut removable forearm, serialized to the receiver in front of a blued engraved and gilt line decorated receiver with duck and rabbit game engraving over and engraved trigger guard housing a dual trigger. The figured and checkered walnut stock with pistol grip and engraved action release and safety terminating with a rubber Baikal marked and ribbed butt plate. Shotgun markings include, in addition to internal inspector marks, on the underside of the shotgun, serial number Y-00275, CCCP and in Cyrillic "??-12", representing model IZh-12, butt plate marked Baikal with the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant Shield and Arrow logo (3)

The gun was displayed in General Powell's office at the Pentagon, as seen behind General Powell in attached image.

Catalogue note:
On page 380 of General Powell's memoir, 'My American Journey,' he writes about receiving this shotgun: "I had received several presents from Gorbachev during our encounters, but the one I prized most was a shotgun with a beautifully engraved metal breech. Since the gun was no doubt worth more than $180, I had to turn it in to the General Service Administration for appraisal. I could then have first crack at buying it back. Otherwise, it would go on the auction block. The GSA must have had Sotheby's price the gun. I would have been better off with a pawnshop appraisal. Nevertheless, I wanted the weapon. I swallowed hard and wrote out a check, hoping Alma would be none the wiser. But in going over our checking account, she came across the stub, and she confronted me: "Colin Powell, twelve hundred dollars for a silly shotgun!"

Public Domain photo not included in lot.

Note: Buyer will have to fill out Federal Firearm License transfer documents and pay a $30 fee in order to take possession of this lot. Pickup will be from a third party Federal Firearms Licensed business in Northern Virginia.

    Provenance:
  • Estate of General Colin L. Powell, to benefit America's Promise Alliance and the Colin Powell School at City College of New York.
  • Dimensions:
  • Length: 45 in. ( x 114.30 cm.)
  • Condition:
  • a few areas of light wear

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November 16, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Alexandria, VA, US

Potomack Company

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