Russian SKS45: ID FAQ Collectibles .... update feb 8th, 2011
- Thread starter Curtton
- Start date
Great guide! I pulled out my SKS and was looking her over while scrolling through the information. From what you posted, she is a a 1953 Tula with a hardwood Arctic birch stock. The stock number has been x'd out and the matching one stamped on. The gas piston and hand guard have electro penciling on them but every thing matches and shows no signs of refurbishment. Many of the parts still retain their serial numbers in the white. There is also no refurbishment mark on the bolt cover. I am, however, only able to locate the serial number on the stock and not the manufacture and the date of production. There are three symbols nearer the finger grooves in small circles but I believe these to be inspector marks. There is also a single "X" inside the left finger groove. Why would they replace the stock and gas piston but leave everything else without refurbishing those other parts as well? Could this be a sign that she was issued, refurbished partially, and then put back into storage at a later point ? Any way to figure out if this is a Tula stock ?
On a related question, would the accessories that come with the SKS be paired with it off the assembly line or would they be manufactured separately and simply picked out of a bin when the SKS was issued or put into storage ?
Thanks for your help.
On a related question, would the accessories that come with the SKS be paired with it off the assembly line or would they be manufactured separately and simply picked out of a bin when the SKS was issued or put into storage ?
Thanks for your help.
Anyway to tell what type of sling I have ? From what I have been able to find online, it appears to be a Soviet marked sling with the brass rings and what appears to be maker marks stamped in ink on the inner side. The sling is olive green and made of the same material that you would see on some modern military webbing or belts for "combats". It also has the leather piece on it as well.
pittboomer
Regular
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- chilliwack
two thumbs up
Great job on your FAQGlad to see my neighbors to the north can enjoy the collecting of the SKS. I'm kind of glad you guys got these guns, saved me a ton of money!!!
Welcome to the North,Sir. Glad you could make it
I have found a site where there are original photos SKS
http://westrifle.com/specialsks.html
http://westrifle.com/specialsks.html
Great job on your FAQ
thanks john, your site was a great source of information ... thanks and welcome
Here's some info I haven't seen posted yet on bayonet catch variations. For blade bayonets, there are 3 distinct configurations on non-refurbs. On refurbs, anything could have happen in the mix n match.
First, this is an early 1951 ,non-chorme lined barrel SKS (unissued) rifle bayonet catch.
Note the circle, there is no lightening cut, as per normal on an early rifle. It's difficult to tell at this angle, but at the arrow the ledge on the lug is flat, not angled, and at the red bracket, you will notice there is no semi-circular milling cut.
Next we have a non-refurb 1952 Tula. The lightening cut on the lug has been introduced (circled), the lug ledge is still flat (red arrow), and at the red bracket you will note the semi-circular milling cut has been added.
Lastly, we have an unissued 1954 Tula. At this point the SKS had basically been perfected in Russian service. We have the lightening cut on the lug (red circle), the angled ledge on the lug (red arrow) to prevent bayonet droop, and at the red bracket you will note the semi-circular milling cut to lighten the rifle at the muzzle.
Hope you guys find this useful!
First, this is an early 1951 ,non-chorme lined barrel SKS (unissued) rifle bayonet catch.
Note the circle, there is no lightening cut, as per normal on an early rifle. It's difficult to tell at this angle, but at the arrow the ledge on the lug is flat, not angled, and at the red bracket, you will notice there is no semi-circular milling cut.
Next we have a non-refurb 1952 Tula. The lightening cut on the lug has been introduced (circled), the lug ledge is still flat (red arrow), and at the red bracket you will note the semi-circular milling cut has been added.
Lastly, we have an unissued 1954 Tula. At this point the SKS had basically been perfected in Russian service. We have the lightening cut on the lug (red circle), the angled ledge on the lug (red arrow) to prevent bayonet droop, and at the red bracket you will note the semi-circular milling cut to lighten the rifle at the muzzle.
Hope you guys find this useful!
Next we have a non-refurb 1952 Tula. The lightening cut on the lug has been introduced (circled), the lug ledge is still flat (red arrow), and at the red bracket you will note the semi-circular milling cut has been added.
Hope you guys find this useful!
interesting but pic doesnt show the level ears well .
i like to see another person have one of these (level ears with lightening cut) , if so please post a pic .
Here's a better set of pics for showing the ledge angles:
1952 Tula, level ears with lightening cut:
1954 Tula, angled ears with lightening cut:
More interestingly, in my mind, are the differences in the bayonet catches just ahead of the knurling where a lightening cut was introduced after some time in 1951. I've never seen this production change discussed before so I thought I'd post it.
1952 Tula, level ears with lightening cut:
1954 Tula, angled ears with lightening cut:
More interestingly, in my mind, are the differences in the bayonet catches just ahead of the knurling where a lightening cut was introduced after some time in 1951. I've never seen this production change discussed before so I thought I'd post it.
Looks like this rifle has had the bayonet removed...Here's a better set of pics for showing the ledge angles:
1952 Tula, level ears with lightening cut:
1954 Tula, angled ears with lightening cut:
More interestingly, in my mind, are the differences in the bayonet catches just ahead of the knurling where a lightening cut was introduced after some time in 1951. I've never seen this production change discussed before so I thought I'd post it.
Anything else not match up on this guy?
I removed both of the bayonets when degreasing the guns. They were unmolested before that. In any event, the lugs have not been changed and the bayonets are original to these particular guns
Also worthy of note is that even of the bayonets were mixed around, bayonet catches are unique the the relative lug ledge type - either parallel or angled. An angled cannot be made into a parallel and vice versa unless you welded them up and re-machined.
I recently purchased what I now believe is a 1952 refurbished SKS. Thanks for all the work gathering and sharing your expertise. I now have more questions? Is it possible for a 1952 would have a 53-56 gas block used in refurbishing and would the SN be electro-penciled on the gas block?
