a little more on 49 dated Russian sks Carbines

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howiebearse

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some time ago quite a discussion was run on a thread on the 49 Russian sks carbine bought from Westrifles. I read the thread and thought I would comment so that you might get another opinion on the subject. Several members here know me and can vouch for my collectors knowlage on the sks and I have a collection of 72 so I do have something to base it on. You fellows here are lucky enough to have the imports you are getting from Russia and China. We here in the States do not have this source any longer. The 1949 Russian sks carbine is one of the hardest to find. Even rarer in the USA is ones that still have all the original parts on them. In the thread I read someone posted photos of the Gun they bought from Westrifles. The comments on the posting were all about how fake the top cover was and how It could not be a real Tula built gun. Sorry men but that is how they all were done. It looks like all the top covers were hand done not roll marked as most were from 1950 on. You fellows should take some time and look at gunboards.com from time to time and see more from a collectors point of view. You are really fortunet in that Westrifles went to the trouble to get a bunch of 49 dated carbines and import them. What I would do to have the one that was in that thread in my collection. I have sent the owner of Westrifles a number of 49 dated Russian top cover photos to show you other examples so you can see for your self how they all look. My suggestion to you fellows that are collectors. take care of these rare guns they will sure never show up in any quantity. I have had three in mmy hands all of which had blade bayonets and miss matched stocks. You have more complete ones in Canada than in the USA. I hope you give the owner of Westrifles the credit he deserves for taking the time and effort to give you fellows an opportunity to buy a rare piece like that. Another rare one is the 55 56 break point between the stamped dated 1955 top cover and the star added after the serial number. There are some rare ones that have the tula star with arrow and no date on top cover these are real collectors pieces. The photos I sent will hopefully be added later by Westrifles so you can compare them. hope this helps you understand the 49 top covers (please excuse typos :)
 
howiebearse;In reference to the thread you mentioned,do you have any comment on the stock markings?In particular the "Tula Star"?

IMO,I was of the understanding that most folks fully accepted the top cover markings as authentic.
 
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plinker 777 said:
howiebearse;In reference to the thread you mentioned,do you have any comment on the stock markings?In particular the "Tula Star"?

IMO,I was of the understanding that most folks fully accepted the top cover markings as authentic.
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We all know it's a refurb,so what real difference does the stock make? If they were being sold as non-refurbs it would make a difference. Westrifle has never made the claim that the 1949 SKSs they sell are non-refurbs.
 
stock proofs

most of the Russian sks carbines have been through at least one rebuild. Keep in mind the communist system is a make work system where labor is available to do work and they give them projects to do to keep them busy. The Russian sks carbines that have not been rebuilt usually are marked from the factory on the left side with a factory mark and the year and serial number. Rebuilt guns will have the stock swapped out possibly with a stock from another gun (in which case the top cover and stock will not match and the serial number will be ###### over and the new one to match the receiver will be stamped in) brand new replacement stocks will have just the serial number stamped in them or perhaps if the inspector missed this nothing on the stock. Be very care full looking at Russian sks carbines they did scrub parts and re use them and re number them. I have found three re built tula guns with dated top covers that match the ser8ial numbers on the receiver but the receiver has the late 55 56 tuls star after serial number. Under close inspection of the contours you can see they were ground off and re numbered.
 
Thanks Howie. I'm sure everyone on this board appreciates your comments and realizes that you are an "expert" in the SKS field. The original post kind of went sideways and the facts were over looked. The knowledgable people know a 49 is more than just the stamps or the stock. We tried to show, for interest sake, the different parts needed to be a 49 ie the bayo, take down levers, trigger guard, firing pin and carrier to mention a few. I'm sure westrifle will be happy to hear your take on his '49s.PS I have no affiliation what so ever with Westrifle Inc., have never met any reps, I just bought one of his SKS, that's all. Cheers
 
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thank you as well I am just trying to add something

and like many of the Canadian members here that are well respected collectors passing on what I have learned. I am working on a sks book now its in the hands of the publisher I hope I am able to get it published:)



emmab said:
Thanks Howie. I'm sure everyone on this board appreciates your comments and realizes that you are an "expert" in the SKS field. The original post kind of went sideways and the facts were over looked. The knowledgable people know a 49 is more than just the stamps or the stock. We tried to show, for interest sake, the different parts needed to be a 49 ie the bayo, take down levers, trigger guard, firing pin and carrier to mention a few. I'm sure westrifle will be happy to hear your take on his '49s. Cheers
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have visited many times up North :)

while in Special Forces reserves I hosted twenty Canadian Commandos for training in foreign weapons. I got invited to Edmonton to go through their Jump school and got my Canadian wings awarded. Nothing like early morning jumps when drunk as a skunk from trying to drink with the fellow paratroops all night :)also been to Montreal many a time .



cainesy said:
Aaah, its good to see some brothers migrate north.:D
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I just got mine last week with the ex sniper mosin, the sks is mint, the mosin had a hairline crack on the bolt where the handel bends down, its getting taking care of as we speak, little stainless weld and polish good as new. Overall very happy with both sks gonna be a safe queen for ever, too beautiful to shoot it.. Thx westrifle
 
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