TOZ-55

The TOZ-55 «Zubr» (ТОЗ-55 «Зубр») is a Soviet double-barreled combination gun for big-game hunting.[2][1]

TOZ-55 «Zubr»
Typedouble barreled shotgun
Place of originUSSR
Production history
DesignerN. I. Korovyakov
ManufacturerTulsky Oruzheiny Zavod[1]
Producedsince 1975[2]
Specifications
Mass3.8 kg[2][1]
Barrel length600mm, 675mm[2][1]
Caliber12 gauge[2][1]
9×53mmR[1]
ActionBreak action[2]
Rate of firevariable
Sightsiron sights[2][1]
optical sight[2][1]

History

In the mid-1970s N. I. Korovyakov began work on design the new model of double-barreled combination gun based on design of his TOZ-34 shotgun. In 1975, first TOZ-55 «Zubr» shotguns were made.[2][1][3]

In April 1987, it was announced that Tula Arms Plant would begin mass production of new TOZ-84 shotgun and this gun will replace in production TOZ-34, TOZ-55 and TOZ-57.[4] After this, production of TOZ-55 was discontinued.[3]

However, even in December 1988 TOZ-55 was most common hunting firearm in 9×53mmR caliber in the Soviet Union.[3]

After the fall of the Soviet Union, some unfinished TOZ-55 shotguns and their spare parts remained in Tula Arms Plant. In 1990s it was announced that new TOZ-55-2 «Zubr» combination gun will be made.[5] However, due to the economic crisis in Russian Federation in 1992 production of 9×53mmR ammunition was discontinued and TOZ decided not to make this model and to continue production of TOZ-34.

Design

TOZ-55 is an over and under hammerless shotgun, with one barrel above the other.[2]

All TOZ-55s were equipped with three pairs of detachable chrome plated barrels[2][1]

  • a pair of 9mm rifled barrels (600mm)[2][1]
  • a pair of 12/70mm smoothbore shotgun barrels (675mm)[2][1]
  • a rifled 9mm barrel over a 12 gauge smoothbore barrel[2][1]

All TOZ-55s have iron sights and they were equipped with scope base for optical sight.[2][1]

  • PO-4×34 (ПО-4×34) and TO-6P (ТО-6П) scopes were standard optical sights,[1] although custom aftermarket variants are known.

All TOZ-55 have a walnut stock and fore-end, some of them were decorated with engravings.[2][1]

Variants
  • TOZ-55-2 «Zubr» (ТОЗ-55-2 «Зубр») - simplified and cheaper version of TOZ-55. It was equipped with one pair of detachable barrels (a rifled 9mm barrel over a 12 gauge smoothbore barrel)[5]

References
  1. А. В. Кузьминский. Оружие для охотника: практическое пособие / под общ.ред. А. Е. Тараса М., ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2002. стр.148-150
  2. М. М. Блюм, И. Б. Шишкин. Охотничье ружьё. М., «Лесная промышленность», 1983. стр.71, 82, 87
  3. М. М. Блюм, И. Б. Шишкин. Твоё ружьё. М., "Физкультура и спорт", 1989. стр.77
  4. "ТОЗ-84 имеет вертикальное расположение стволов и предназначено для промысловой и любительской охоты. Модель разработана на Тульском оружейном заводе взамен ТОЗ-34, ТОЗ-55 «Зубр», ТОЗ-57Т-1С и ТОЗ-57К-1С. На базе модели ТОЗ-84 предполагается выпуск ружей средних и малых калибров: 16, 20, 28 и 32-го."
    Н. Коровяков, С. Попиков. Новая базовая модель ТОЗ-84 // журнал "Охота и охотничье хозяйство", № 4, 1987. стр.21
  5. «ружьё двуствольное комбинированное ТОЗ-55-2 "Зубр" кал. 9х53 и 12/70»
    Перечень служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов к нему, вносимых в Государственный кадастр служебного и гражданского оружия (утверждён распоряжением Правительства РФ № 1207-р от 3 августа 1996 года)

Sources
  • ТОЗ-55 // История Тульского оружейного завода, 1712 - 1972. М., "Мысль", 1973. стр.488
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