Proof marks

darkwing327 said:
Hi everyone,

I just received a new to me 1953 Russian. I wanted a very nice Russian with as little wear as possible to go on display with my minty new Chinese Type 56 and Yugo M59/66A1. Now those two are easy...they don't have any markings on them because they are new...just the normal serial numbers, etc and Chinese markings...only on the Chinese of course :)

Then this Russian arrives today and it is the most beautiful Russian I have ever seen...please note that I said 'I' have ever seen...which makes me very happy. But I took it all apart and Boris must have gotten injured getting off the truck, never having made it to the battlefield OR this it the holy grail of unfired Russians OR it has been heavily refurbed. Naturally my money is on the latter, but what say you Russian SKS gurus? Please tell me everything about every mark, even if you think it is obvious to the rest of us.

Now before we start, need to get a few things out of the way. I am not looking to sell. I wanted a nice Russian to keep and that is what I am doing :) I also have had many SKS, but not too many russians, so know VERY little. I do know that my first ever SKS, which I still have, is an all matching Russian....AND...drum roll please....is sitting in a Tapco stock...is frankenpinned...and has shot zillions of rounds...it used to look pretty, but nobody told me way back when when I spent my $150 or whatever it was, that these were going to become anything more than cheap surplus shooters 15 years down the road.

Anyway, onto this new addition...and please keep in mind that to my eyes, this thing looks as new and unfired as the new unfired Chinese and Yugo ones I have here...???. I have played with a lot of SKS and the bluing on this one is spectacular...and the stock...and everything for that matter....what gives?

Pics are here for easy viewing in another pane:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN-6UnKp73FWGoUkY-FRzvI9cIGx7bXCGxbMviK8S1H2fOz51vCooSmjrM3laAHRg?key=Wk52OGVMUUlrZFZROUs2cUZsNlhpV3JGd095dzd3

So based on the pic order, here are my questions.

1. on the rear sight there is a symbol at the base, looks like a P or an A in a triangle

2. on the receiver, the serial number of course, but then the other symbols and the backwards R on the stock

3. other side of the receiver

4. H on the mag follower

5. symbols in front of the trigger guard

6. dust cover 1953r...what does the r stand for? Factory symbol confirmation please as well. And the diamond?

7. diamond H on the charging handle

8. the plethora of marks on the bottom of the charging handle

9. the three or four on the side of the charging handle

10. and finally, the bajillion marks on the firing pin assembly block

11. oh, one more...on the piston there is the serial, but if you zoom in there is an 0 on a flat spot

12. ok, the very last one :) on the bottom of the stock by the mag is a backward L perhaps???

Think that's about it...let's start there.

Thanks in advance for all of this :)

Darren
Click to expand...

IMO you have a nice 1953 Izhevsk (an arrow in a triangle on the dust cover) refurb. The diamond on the dust cover is either 5th GRAU arsenal in Alatyr or Turkestan Military District in Solnechny. The "r" is not really "r" but Russian "g" (Г) which stands for"god" in English "year" i.e "1953 year". The other markings are various proof marks made by inspectors.
 
Last edited:
Nice...thanks. I did find another diamond on the bottom of the stock behind the trigger guard when assembling.

Can't believe all the proof marks.

The one number that I was really curious about is the '648' on the firing pin assembly....is that a separate assembly factory or something?
 
darkwing327 said:
Can't believe all the proof marks.
Click to expand...

Usually there are tons of them made by various firearm inspectors

darkwing327 said:
The one number that I was really curious about is the '648' on the firing pin assembly....is that a separate assembly factory or something?
Click to expand...

Most likely a bin part number. Nothing of importance.

Did you buy your SKS from an online vendor here or was it private purchase? It is really very nicely executed.
 
I have something similar to the OP's - two characters and 3 numbers with a STAR on the receiver. Man I am heading to the bank! Seriously though - beauty example OP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom