Bought 2 more SKS today

[RMXC51]

Both black bolt refurbs, including the ugliest Izzy I've ever seen (1953). Bought it because I wanted one and this was the only Izzy in the crate (all were 1951-53 black bolt refurbs). Here's pics:

1951Tula:

Mag is nicely pinned, if there is such a thing. Low serial number.

Mangled bayo lug on most in the crate

"T" at end of serial number was stamped by RCMP. Some guns had up to 4 of them.

Need a new cleaning rod, this one is visibly bent:

45° gas block

Serial number is only visible mark on stock, new?

The gas cover is force matched, but it wouldn't show up in a picture. Old S/N is barely visible beneath paint

 

[RMXC51]

1953 Izzy:

Stock is force matched and patched at right front. Mag is force matched. "T" stamped after serial number by the gov't, like all the other guns. All had this brown finish instead of the nice deep red I prefer, but oh well. Its an ugly duckling that will never grow into a swan, but I think I'll at least remove the black from the bolt. If I find a nice 53 someday I'll sell this one cheap.

 

[The Kurgan]

Actually, those are nicer looking shooter grade SKS's than you give them credit for. I would be happy to own them. I don't have an Izzy either, and I might seek one out just to say I have one in my now reduced collection. Your '51 is definitely the prettier of the two.

 

[stoop14]

Your izzy looks like mine ugly as hell but is a work horse.

 

[The Kurgan]

May I ask where you got them from?

I would leave the black bolts in black. In my opinion, the black bolt gives them a mean appearance, and that's how it was re-arsenaled.

 

[Curtton]

"T" at end of serial number was stamped by RCMP.

"T" stamped after serial number by the gov't, like all the other guns.

are you sure the "T" was stamped by the RCMP/gov't ?

i would think it would be the importer that would be doing that .

 

[RMXC51]

I got them from the local Home Hardware. I'll leave the 51 alone as a good example of a black bolt, but the Izzy is just too ugly. It was more of a "rescue" than anything, like a 3 legged, 1 eyed deaf dog at the pound. I have a nice 54 refurb Izzy, so if I find a decent 53 down the road I'll sell this one.

 

[The Kurgan]

I got them from the local Home Hardware. I'll leave the 51 alone as a good example of a black bolt, but the Izzy is just too ugly. It was more of a "rescue" than anything, like a 3 legged, 1 eyed deaf dog at the pound. I have a nice 54 refurb Izzy, so if I find a decent 53 down the road I'll sell this one.

I think its really cool that small operations like Home Hardware care firearms. Here in southern Ontario its unheard of this day and age!

 

[RMXC51]

The ones in the previous crate didn't have any extra stampings. The sellers told me it was done by the RCMP/gov, but the importers could have done it too. The extra characters are only on the side of the receiver, and it is between 1 and 4 "T"s on all rifles.

So what is the general theory on black bolts? Hasty refurbs done at the end of general SKS use to get them ready for a rainy day? Russian summer students? Are there many late model Russians done this way?

 

[The Kurgan]

The ones in the previous crate didn't have any extra stampings. The sellers told me it was done by the RCMP/gov, but the importers could have done it too. The extra characters are only on the side of the receiver, and it is between 1 and 4 "T"s on all rifles.

So what is the general theory on black bolts? Hasty refurbs done at the end of general SKS use to get them ready for a rainy day? Russian summer students? Are there many late model Russians done this way?

It depends. I've seen some classy blued bolts/ blued bayonets that were definitely done by skilled craftsmen. I've also seen some nicer painted black bolts and bayonets. It would be interesting to know where the various different refurbs were rearsenaled and at what period of time -- I suspect we will never really know. Anybody that speaks Russian willing call the Tula arsenal??