Russian SKS45: ID FAQ Collectibles .... update feb 8th, 2011

Andy said:
A bit off-topic (maybe a lot), but I have a 1949 with a "droopy" bayonet. What are the fixes?
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Post a photo of the bayonet lug, and we can determine if you have straight cut inner ears or angled inner ears. Presumably, angled inner ears and a straight cut bayonet handle adaptor will cause the drooping effect.
 
I just want to say that its great to have you on board, Yooperj! Your site rules! Hopefully between your extensive knowledge and the increasing numbers of collectors and rifles here, we can expand the knowledge of these carbines even more.
 
RMXC51 said:
I just want to say that its great to have you on board, Yooperj! Your site rules! Hopefully between your extensive knowledge and the increasing numbers of collectors and rifles here, we can expand the knowledge of these carbines even more.
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YJ is certainly an influential collector down south! Lets make sure we all share accurate data, and dispel myths and mis-truths. The SKS has so many variations, that we need to keep an open mind.

I am going to say that I learned more from Curtton, Woodbeef, and Yooper John than anybody else combined!
 
Those guys, plus a bunch on survivors boards have helped me plenty. I'm amazed that I still see things pawing through crates that seemingly nobody has seen before. Like the not-so-deep-red Tula non refurbs I got recently.
 
RMXC51 said:
Those guys, plus a bunch on survivors boards have helped me plenty. I'm amazed that I still see things pawing through crates that seemingly nobody has seen before. Like the not-so-deep-red Tula non refurbs I got recently.
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Yeah, they are nice finds! And, based on the photos, they certainly look like non-refurbs, or as the Yanks call them: "as-issued".
 
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The Kurgan said:
Yooper John;

The trigger group is also the early type.
Yes, in Canada, SKS's are imported with bayonets attached. No need to remove them, as they are perfectly legal.

No offence taken, but telling a guy that his "bayonet must be floppy" will always provoke a bit of ire. :)
With an "OP8" serial number, a transitional bayonet lug and handle adaptor, and an early trigger assembly, there is support for a very early 1953 Izhevsk.

BTW your webpage is phenomenal. It provides SKS collector newbies (and experienced collectors) with excellent baseline information. I have referenced it on many occasions. (ps., I believe silver matte finished bayonets are original equipment on non-refurbished mid to late-1954 to 1956 Tulas, and on 1953-1954 Izzys. I own an as-issued example with a silver matte finish bayonet, but I digress)


As promised, here are better photos of the bayonet lug and handle adaptor:

Again, the lug and adaptor share both early and late SKS features, making them transitional in nature, and rare:
1. straight cut inner ears on bayonet lug = early (commonly found on pre-1952 Tulas)
2. recesses on bayonet lug = late (commonly found on post-1952 Tulas)
3. straight cut bayonet handle adaptor = early (commonly found on pre-1952 Tulas)
4. lower bayonet handle lip ground down = late (commonly found on post-1952 Tulas)

7984483241_043fd6f20e_b.jpg

7984483969_6935148a9e_b.jpg
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I forgot to add, that while it has a transitional bayonet lug/handle adaptor, and early style trigger group, it also has the earlier single-wound operating rod spring, typically found on pre-1952 SKS's.
 
The Kurgan said:
Post a photo of the bayonet lug, and we can determine if you have straight cut inner ears or angled inner ears. Presumably, angled inner ears and a straight cut bayonet handle adaptor will cause the drooping effect.
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These are awful pics compared to yours, but I think they answer the question. As you can see, the bayo only droops a bit, but it's enough to catch your hand. I tried flipping the knurled portion of the bayo (what is its correct name?) 180 degrees, but there was no improvement. Could I buy another "knurled portion" and try it to see if the fit is better, and peen it if all else failed? I'd keep the original.

SKS_1949_Drooping_Bayo_Right.jpg


SKS_1949_Bayo_Right.jpg


SKS_1949_Bayo_Left.jpg
 
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andy , your 49 has the original stock ?

also does the bayo still droop without the cleaning rod in place ?
 
Curtton said:
andy , your 49 has the original stock ?

also does the bayo still droop without the cleaning rod in place ?
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Not sure about the stock. It has the shallow groove for the spike, but also has a refurb mark. No serial # ###XX'd out or the like though.

Does still droop without the cleaning rod.
 
For collection and shooting sake, would it be more ideal to get an older SKS? (I peeked through a box at a local store today, saw some 51's, potentially older ones too.) I ask this because I'm not sure if they had worked out issues in the following years, or if its not any real difference or not. Just trying to make the most out of what little I spend on these :)
 
Are the 49's really worth the $500 one sponsor is charging? Seems a little greedy to me..........Harold
 
Did this in the Chinese SKS sticky, thought I'd add it here. The Chinese list is quite longer.

The a Russian SKS FRT numbers.... Maker, model and arsenal.

136417 Baikal SKS Izhevsky Mekhanichesky Zavod (Izhmech)

128590 MOLOT OP-SKS MOLOT

2384 Simonov SKS 1945 Russian State Arsenal, Izhevsk

2386 Simonov SKS 1945 Russian State Arsenal, Tula

41256 Simonov SKS 1945 Russian State Arsenals

2388 Simonov SKS 1950 Russian State Arsenals
 
So new rumors and intel abound. Specifically about the 55/56 letter series. This info is found from yooperj's website.

The following information was sent to me from Bob "Tex" Hanes, an avid SKS collector and friend.

Below is a Russian website on the development of the PM Makarov pistol with information that coincides with information on the "Letter Dated" SKS year of production of these rifles. From what we know there were three different "Letter Dated" codes Russian "D" (looks like this Д), Russian "I" (looks like this Й) and the Letter "K" that is the same as our letter "K" (looks like this К). From this information on these codes the production dates are 1956 - Д, 1957 - Й and К - 1958. The codes appear to be the same for production of weapons and ammo at this time period. http://pm9.ucoz.ru/index/ehvoljucija_pm/0-63
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Essentially Russian weapon production associated the following russian Cyrillic letters to the following years of production. This is in line with dating practices used on Russian Makarovs.

Д = 1956г (letter is D in English)
И = 1957г (letter is I in English)
К = 1958г (letter is K in English)

Looks like Russian SKS production spanned from 1949 to 1958, and the "55/56" versions are not 55 and 56-58 depending on Cyrillic letter suffix after the serial number.

All theory of course.
 
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fenceline said:
So new rumors and intel abound. Specifically about the 55/56 letter series. This info is found from yooperj's website.



Essentially Russian weapon production associated the following russian Cyrillic letters to the following years of production. This is in line with dating practices used on Russian Makarovs.

Д = 1956г (letter is D in English)
И = 1957г (letter is I in English)
К = 1958г (letter is K in English)

Looks like Russian SKS production spanned from 1949 to 1958, and the "55/56" versions are not 55 and 56-58 depending on Cyrillic letter suffix after the serial number.
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Not really new, new. The theory has been bounced around for some months now anyway...
 
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