1951 sks markings

hawkmp9

hawkmp9

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I bought what looks to be a heavy refurb sks...the dust cover has 1951r with a star and NO arrow inside.
I assume this is a replacement part as it is not blued but black.
The barrel and reciever also seem to have new parts with a black finish as opposed to blued used looking barrel and receiver etc...
For me it's just a range fun gun for 50yard plinking.
As long as it's reasonably accurate I guess I shouldn't care. It was only $216 at a local shop in Ottawa.
I'm not a milsurp collector by any means.

Any info about it appreciated.
Google couldn't turn up the same markings for me or info on whether I bought junk or quality.




 
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There is a very good looking laminate stock SKS with a polished bayonet! I am confused by the lack of an arrow in the star as well, however,
I can't see thru the shine in the picture. Is the arrow sanded off? Is it completely fill over with black paint? Is your SKS special somehow?
Hopefully others will supply some answers, I'm just good for questions.
 
The star simply has nothing in it. It's smooth and not painted over. I'm thinking its a refurb replacement dust cover. So it's doesn't have the identical Markings as an original would. The back of the dust cover has matching serial. I found only one post online referring to a stamp from that time period Saying the star may or may not have the arrow.

 
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I looked at www.yooperj.com which is an american SKS expert to see if there was any mention of a Tula star with out the arrow but,
nothing came to my attention. Could you let us know where you found the mention of a Tula star without an arrow? Excellent mystery!
As far as I know (which ain't much) your receiver cover should have a force matched serial number at the back of the cover - IF - it is a replacement.
You have what looks to be a very nice refurb. There is not much difference between one SKS and any other except for what that rifle experiences
in our hands. Let us know how it does at the range.
 
Here is the site I found mention of no arrow. It's the second thread from 2008. From what I see the serial number is original as it is stamped with the same markings.
It looks as if it's possible that therarrow part of the stamp
Was extremely light as there could be the tip of the arrow.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352770

I'll give a range report as soon as my ammo order arrives.
 
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From that site.;)
Do not trust a Star or Triangle stamped on the reciever cover. The covers can be swapped from rifle to rifle, and used to fool buyers. (Unless the numbers match.)

Grizz
 
hawkmp9 said:
I bought what looks to be a heavy refurb sks...the dust cover has 1951r with a star and NO arrow inside.
I assume this is a replacement part as it is not blued but black.
The barrel and reciever also seem to have new parts with a black finish as opposed to blued used looking barrel and receiver etc...
For me it's just a range fun gun for 50yard plinking.
As long as it's reasonably accurate I guess I shouldn't care. It was only $216 at a local shop in Ottawa.
I'm not a milsurp collector by any means.

Any info about it appreciated.
Google couldn't turn up the same markings for me or info on whether I bought junk or quality.




Click to expand...

It looks like what you have is a later MOLOT import (try checking under the gas tube for the export stamp). Does the stock have ###XX through the serial number and a new (matching) number stamped in?

When these things are (were) refurbished, the armorer/techs used to just take them almost completely apart, inspect the parts, replace what needed replacing, then reassemble them without paying attention to serial numbers. Then if the stock serial number didn't match the receiver, they'd ###XX out the old one and restamp the stock with the receiver's number. For the top cover, they'd often file down the old number and restamp (again) the receiver's number on it. It's known as "forced matching". The techs would do the same thing to the magazine and other parts.

That polished bayo looks nice, as does that stock.
 
hawkmp9 said:
Well that news is a bit disappointing but I suppose as long as it functions well it doesn't really matter?
Click to expand...

If your receiver cover serial number has been filed off and then force matched, you would be able to feel or even see the filed area.
I am still holding out for hearing that your cover is special somehow and original to your SKS.
 
There is no way the serials are filed down... The dust cover is perfectly milled with only the one serial stamp and the star and 1951r mark on top.
I could see it being a new matched part with a new matching serial stamped onto it but that somehow seems unlikely. Unless the star means Russia and it was refurbished elsewhere so there is no arrow to signify Tula?
 
A little
Update if anyone is still reading this dying thread lol.
Took out the sks today. How can I complain about it when second shot hits a tin can at 50 yards offhand.
We were banging away bullseyes at 25yards and all the holes were touching.
My friend and I went halves on a crate of the non corrosive Ammo from Canada Ammo (Ukrainian)
In the end the gun is fun and what else matters.
I keep looking at the super grade sks that weiimajack posts and before log I'm quite sure I'll grab one of those from him since they are so nice.
Cheers :)
 
Robert Nicholson said:
I looked at which is an american SKS expert to see if there was any mention of a Tula star with out the arrow but,
nothing came to my attention. Could you let us know where you found the mention of a Tula star without an arrow? Excellent mystery!
As far as I know (which ain't much) your receiver cover should have a force matched serial number at the back of the cover - IF - it is a replacement.
You have what looks to be a very nice refurb. There is not much difference between one SKS and any other except for what that rifle experiences
in our hands. Let us know how it does at the range.
Click to expand...
Hi! Robert i'm following this forum and thread as well for taking some knowledge. Your Yooperj link is not opening at my side what's the reason ?
 
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ashtonbrady45 said:
Hi! Robert i'm following this forum and thread as well for taking some knowledge. Your Yooperj link is not opening at my side what's the reason ?
Click to expand...

I didn't actually provide a link, just a name to help people google. Please tell us what you are experiencing regarding SKS' so far. What is grabbing your interest?
 
Old thread, but did some research, my vote goes for a light stamp, that did not imprint the arrow, as there are parts of the star not stamped. No negative, as manufacturing is not perfect, and is just as original as any other. The SKS Carbine book by North Cape Publishers does say the arrow was no longer used in the star mid-1954 onwards. FYI.
 
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