1949 sks

The theory is that 1949, being the first year of production and with only a limited number of rifles being built, resulted in all rifles going into service and being used extensively. The stock of 1949 rifles were nearly, if not completely, used and abused, and went through the refurb process as a result. After a couple years of production, there were more rifles to go around and more continually being produced, which allowed many later date rifles to be tucked away or kept in a better state of preservation. From my own collecting experience, by 1951 there was ample supply and production of rifles, and there were certainly a decent amount that either went unissued, or were maintained in a high state of preservation.

Added to that I have seen some with more than one refurb mark indicating more than one refurb for quite a few. These were the heaviest used so thus it would stand to reason that because of their relatively few numbers and heavy use it would be very unlikely that any escaped refurbishment. Maybe they are out there but not all refurb have the refurb stamp on them.
 
Production existed in 1948. Even more rare. Stocks stamped 1948 and at least one recoil spring cover marked ckc 1948 have been observed in the wild.

If I recall correctly the 48 stock was star marked.
I would love to have even the dust cover of a 48, we should all definitely keep looking, as these rifles come in, who knows what gets missed, I have 8, non refurbs, ( in my opinion) a few were from Westrifle 3-4 years ago with matching mags but I also dug up 6, just from looking through the rifles at CTC, all were birch stock but mags were mismatched, likely when putting the export marks on them I think what they look for when putting them in cardboard boxes is, laminate, or birch! So the nice ones are out there and maybe a 49 or even a 48! They would not likely have the spike bayo as that is a dead giveaway to the packers and pickers! Love looking for the needles in a haystack!
Edit: I have 8 not 9 non refurbs, my mistake,, 3 are 1951 oddly enough, but it seems there are many more early years showing up these days for some reason!
 
Last edited:
Ya, I miss the days before the employee/boss crate pickers. Fortunately I have also managed to accumulate a crate of non refurbs, some from way back, but most from those Ukrainian shipments 3-5 years ago.
 
Looks like this rather "unique" rifle with a 49 dust cover is back up. Please do let us know what it goes for, will be interesting.

I myself have 2 mostly matching 49 with all 49 parts except stock and bayo (both bade, 1 black and one crome). One has mismatched trigger cover and one wrong mag. Any one want to put a value on these? 350?
 
i have 2 49 in my collection. ''non-refurb'' i will take the $2000 for one and i even let you chose the one you want.

Post pictures here and let us see. If CGN can come to the consensus that they are non-refurbs in mint shape, I'll buy both of them for $2000 each if you like.
 
My 1949, it's as close to a non-refurb as I have ever seen. The only part I question is the gas tube, the rest seems original to me.

7NUwrHX.jpg


AwbSM8w.jpg


Pic heavy gallery located here:
http://imgur.com/gallery/yqyY0
 
My 1949, it's as close to a non-refurb as I have ever seen. The only part I question is the gas tube, the rest seems original to me.

7NUwrHX.jpg


AwbSM8w.jpg


Pic heavy gallery located here:
http://imgur.com/gallery/yqyY0

I checked the pictures in the gallery.

The "4" in the serial stamp of the receiver cover, magazine and trigger group is different from the receiver, bolt and bolt carrier. The gas tube looks replaced and is missing the Cyrillic letters of the serial number, plus the finish on the wood looks like the later refurb finish. There should be electro penciled serial on the gas piston, extractor claw and under the rear sight leaf. Compare to the electro penciling on the gas tube to compare the writing style. Some close up of the different electropencil serials to compare would be nice. Too bad the mag was Franken butchered. Nice rifle. Beauty stock.
 
Yep my comment about the gas tube in the gallery is that I suspect it's replaced.

Going to agree that the 4 is struck differently but so are the other digits. They're going to look off depending how the dies are struck.

I'll check those other spots you mentioned.
 
Just an fyi regarding 1949 non refurb sks's. I have it on good authority that The Kaos 91.1 Kings Kids Banquet and Auction held at Shell Place, Fort McMurray, will have one up for auction this saturday at 6pm.
 
Yep my comment about the gas tube in the gallery is that I suspect it's replaced.

Going to agree that the 4 is struck differently but so are the other digits. They're going to look off depending how the dies are struck.

I'll check those other spots you mentioned.

Thanks for posting. Outstanding gun. I think perhaps sometimes we are a bit hasty to label these Russian guns as refurbs, when arsenal work was done outside of the regimented refurbishment process.
 
Thanks for posting. Outstanding gun. I think perhaps sometimes we are a bit hasty to label these Russian guns as refurbs, when arsenal work was done outside of the regimented refurbishment process.
That is what I was thinking, some are not refurbed but had general maintenance done to them!


Now, does anyone have, or have even a picture of an early 1950, with the spike bayo still attached, these are extremely rare from what I have read! And I would love to see one, I have the early 1950 refurb with hole in latch etc but crappy looking stock and obviously no spike bayo!
 
Some weird speculation and presumptions being thrown around in this thread.

The stocks absolutely received the arsenal markings and year in 1949. There are at least 4 (that I have handled or seen extensive photos of) original matching 1949s in Canada. All of them had shellac reapplied to the stock and 2 of them were possibly reblued at some point. These "refreshments" were presumably done outside of the larger refurbishment programs but would put them as "light refurbs" surely. I have observed a few 1950 rifles in this same pattern.

Unfortunately, our collector friends to the south are not really reliable sources for SKS information as they haven't handled hundreds to thousands of them as some of us Canucks have.
 
Some weird speculation and presumptions being thrown around in this thread.

The stocks absolutely received the arsenal markings and year in 1949. There are at least 4 (that I have handled or seen extensive photos of) original matching 1949s in Canada. All of them had shellac reapplied to the stock and 2 of them were possibly reblued at some point. These "refreshments" were presumably done outside of the larger refurbishment programs but would put them as "light refurbs" surely. I have observed a few 1950 rifles in this same pattern.

Unfortunately, our collector friends to the south are not really reliable sources for SKS information as they haven't handled hundreds to thousands of them as some of us Canucks have.
Not to harp on this but, Have you seen an early 1950 with the spike Bayo? I have the early heavy refurb 1950 but the bayo was replaced with a blade type! Also have you seen a 1948?
 
Not to harp on this but, Have you seen an early 1950 with the spike Bayo? I have the early heavy refurb 1950 but the bayo was replaced with a blade type! Also have you seen a 1948?

I have only seen photos of various parts of 1948 rifles. IIRC Horilka showed me an authenticated 1948 dust cover that lives in the Ukraine just recently.

How long production took place in 1948 and whether or not spike bayonets persisted for the first few days / weeks of production in 1950 I couldn't tell you. We will need someone to dig into the archives for these facts as there are not enough surviving examples.
 
You got confused, 1948 dust cover was found in Canada. 1948 rifle I showed you was original 1948 made except for replaced stock. She was a dewatt found in Ukraine and moved to and sold in Russia.
 
Back
Top Bottom