A Very Early 1949 SKS

[jstin]

Around 4 years ago a collector who I will call Sean was looking on the Westrifle website. He saw a pristine 49 and bought it. He was pleased with the condition when it arrived. Also this was the first time he has removed stock.

https://ibb.co/album/qLpSYZ
The B on the receiver serial number looks like it was not stamped square and/or used a faulty stamp.
https://ibb.co/album/WpbDrx
Sean learned more and realized he had a early 49, the magazine did not have a rivet and that the cleaning rod nubs were equal.
https://ibb.co/album/MDPXG6
After seeing in the "1949 Tula Redux" post and the reply about the safety lever knurls changing in early 50, he checked his. Seeing that his did not have any knurls he sent me a pictures of his. Pictures show Sean's 49, my early 50 and a 54.
https://ibb.co/album/FkZhjC
Stock on his 1949. Notice the hole drilled for the cleaning rod. It is separate from the barrel cutout.
https://ibb.co/album/0QWFdF
Then Sean noticed that the magazine release did not have any knurls.
https://ibb.co/album/hY01SD
From there Sean noticed that the front sling mount was thicker than his other SKS.
https://ibb.co/album/h1FD3R
Also the push rod rather than being round was approx. 3/4 round.
https://ibb.co/album/cX1QbX

Now the question is, are the differences leftover from the 1948? We will probably never know unless additional pictures of a 1948 turn up.

 

[jstin]

For all the collectors with a 1949 SKS, check to see if you have these early features. And post.

 

[300432280]

There are actually 1948 sks pictures existed on the internet. But not sure if they are legit tho

 

[zak88]

I believe mines a ‘48

 

[jstin]

zak88 - I have read in other forums about 1948 SKSs being seen in Canada. But there were no pictures of these. Could you post some pictures of your rifle? This would be very informative on the history of the SKS.

 

[emmab]

Great post. Very observant! Now I’ll have to take a look too��