I was lucky enough today to be able to go through some crates of non-refurbished SKS rifles as they came from the Ukraine. I was also lucky enough to speak to a man who has processed and categorized roughly 3,000 SKS rifles.
Of the 3,000, speaking about the non-refurbished only:
-1 was a 1953 Izhevsk (There is more than 1 in Canada though for sure)
-There were at least a dozen 1954 Izhevsk, maybe more we didn't get into details (I did get a particularly nice one though)
-0 had a 90* gas block
-0 made in 1949
-0 with a spike bayonet
I also had a chance to look at 5 non-refurbished rifles made in the first half of 1950 and a couple made in the middle and last part of 1950 and was able to make some observations.
The rear sight leaf was not electro penciled with the serial number until at least the middle of 1950, or it was very inconsistent at least. When they dropped the spring loaded firing pin is about the time they started to mark it. One of the later 1950 I observed which was serial number "KB3370" had accidentally been marked "KB3870" under the rear sight leaf. The tech had noticed and had scratched out the mistake and then corrected it on the other side, kinda cool.
In 1950 the markings on the left crossbolt are inconsistent. Sometimes there are 3 cartouches, other times only 2. They seem to be much more lightly stamped than the later rifles. There were a few with deep stamps however which leads me to believe many of stocks were refinished at some point even though they are originally matching to the rifle. You can't really categorize them as non-refurbished at that point but some collectors might not care about a matching stock being refinished by the Russians themselves.
I was also able to make some general observations such as the golden bayonet being very common. Finally, the final inspection cartouche on the right hand side varies greatly on every rifle. Sometimes it was a nice clean strike and other times it was at an extreme angle. A partial final inspection cartouche does not necessarily indicate sanding.
Thanks Wilson!
Opinions? Any more information or observations?
Of the 3,000, speaking about the non-refurbished only:
-1 was a 1953 Izhevsk (There is more than 1 in Canada though for sure)
-There were at least a dozen 1954 Izhevsk, maybe more we didn't get into details (I did get a particularly nice one though)
-0 had a 90* gas block
-0 made in 1949
-0 with a spike bayonet
I also had a chance to look at 5 non-refurbished rifles made in the first half of 1950 and a couple made in the middle and last part of 1950 and was able to make some observations.
The rear sight leaf was not electro penciled with the serial number until at least the middle of 1950, or it was very inconsistent at least. When they dropped the spring loaded firing pin is about the time they started to mark it. One of the later 1950 I observed which was serial number "KB3370" had accidentally been marked "KB3870" under the rear sight leaf. The tech had noticed and had scratched out the mistake and then corrected it on the other side, kinda cool.
In 1950 the markings on the left crossbolt are inconsistent. Sometimes there are 3 cartouches, other times only 2. They seem to be much more lightly stamped than the later rifles. There were a few with deep stamps however which leads me to believe many of stocks were refinished at some point even though they are originally matching to the rifle. You can't really categorize them as non-refurbished at that point but some collectors might not care about a matching stock being refinished by the Russians themselves.
I was also able to make some general observations such as the golden bayonet being very common. Finally, the final inspection cartouche on the right hand side varies greatly on every rifle. Sometimes it was a nice clean strike and other times it was at an extreme angle. A partial final inspection cartouche does not necessarily indicate sanding.
Thanks Wilson!
Opinions? Any more information or observations?
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