Russian SKS45: ID FAQ Collectibles .... update feb 8th, 2011
- Thread starter Curtton
- Start date
good question, more and more members are asking that same question which leads me to believe the quality of the russian shipments are much better than most of us expected. but before i get to your question. your rifle needs to pass the non-refurb test, if yours shows any signs of refurbishing then ofcos it means it been issued and fired.
the following are from the SKS45 FAQ sticky.
D. SIGNS OF REFURBISHING.
D1. Metal.
1. Refurbishing mark. There are two types of refurbishing marks: The most common is a square with a diagonal line and the other is a diamond shape (some with a "T" line inside). If your rifle has one of these markings on the top cover then your rifle has been refurbished.
2. Some of the obvious signs are the metal is painted sheen black, parkerized or matte black, basicly anything other than the original blued and the bayonet and bolt carrier are black when originally they were dull chrome.
3. Improper type parts installed . eg: late russian parts installed on a early russian.
4. File marks , edges not sharp.
5. Forced matching serial numbers.
- Electro-penciled where stamped serial number suppose to be: top cover, mag, trigger guard, bolt and carrier.
- Old SN ground down and replaced by stamped or electro-penciled SN.
- Old SN ###ed out and new numbers stamped below it.
- Electro-penciled were painted over.
- Shape of numbers (font) do not match the shape of numbers on the side of receiver. eg: a "4" that is closed and "4" that is opened .
- Run your finger over the stamp serial number, you should feel the raised edges so should the edges be flattened then its been buffed or sanded.
D2. Wood. Refurbished wood stock. Applies only to 1949-early 1955. Only 1955/56 came with both laminated and solid birch.
1. Recycling existing solid birch. The factory tech would ### out the old serial numbers and stamp a new set of matching numbers (this process is called forced matching).
2. Another crossbolt is added to the solid birch grip. This process is not too common, which leads me to believe that it was quick fix measure prior to the introduction of the laminated.
3. Replacement laminated, laminated not original to the rifle.
4. wood repairs.
5. Refurbishing mark.
once your rifle passed the non-refurb test then you move to the next level "SIGNS OF FIRING " what you do here is to look for signs that your SKS has been fired. this procedure is strictly from observing, there are no hard rules. basicly what you are looking for signs of wear or changes since it was issued.
SIGNS OF FIRING.
This procedure is strictly from observing, there are no hard rules. basicly what you are looking for signs of wear or changes since it was issued.
-Start from the front with the muzzle , check the crown for re-bluing or paint .
-The bayo screw to see if more than two punch holes are made .
-The bolt face. is it clean and shinny? no primer ring .
-Wear on extractor, is the EP worn .
-Wear on top and under the bolt .
-Any mark left by the extension rod on front of carrier?
-Wear on the rail the carrier travelled.
-Marks on feedramp, chamber and bore.
-Wear on mag follower and locking shoulder.
-Wear on the trigger group, face of the hammer, tip of the sear disconnect.
-Look inside gas tube for wear.
-Carbon or pitting on the front gas rod .
-Wear at the tail end of the gas rod.
You are looking for worn areas where bluing suppose to be, like on butt plate. im sure i missed a few more but you get the idea.
Bear in mind your rifle has been test fired so you are looking for signs it been fired more than 5 times.
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Awesome info source! Thanks so much for putting that together! I was lucky to get a Bell imported 1953 Tula rifle with totally matching, unbuffed original serial numbers. Even the one on the bottom of the mag is clearly matching even though two digits are ruined where they plug welded the block in. Looks like a mint unfired gun
Al
Al
Al
Al
I have a presumably un-furbished, unfired sks from Ellwood's first bunch. It has a mark on the right side of the wooden stock that I would like to identify. It is a faint O with a diagonal line through it. Does anybody know what does it mean?
P.S. If it means that it is re-furbished, I don't want to know!
P.S. If it means that it is re-furbished, I don't want to know!
I got my PAL in the mail the other day and went gun shopping for the first time. with my lack of knowledge i was overwhelmed by the options i had. at first i was really liking the mossberg atr100 with the scope and bi-pod, seemed like a good deal for $500. then the ever so wise counter person hands me an SKS, i loved it right away. cheaper nicer looking gun with inexpesive ammo. i left the store after putting $100 down on the SKS but was still unsure what i wanted. i'm glad i read a few posts around here and made the right decision. i was back the next morning and took my new antique 1950 SKS home.
another thanks to curtton for the time and effort put into your SKS FAQ
My rifle has the ring type top cover latch, you are welcome to use any of these pics for your FAQ
i also have a whole lot more pictures and many unanswered questions.
my 1950 has the 1949 90* type1 gas block. my SN is in the low 600's is it possible that the type1 gas blocks were used in early 1950. or is it more likely that the older gasblock was installed during refurb?
there are various letters stamped into the stock that i was wondering about too. i have a "B", "T", "X", "V" an M inside a square, 2 tiny squares with something in it (not the square with the line) some really strange markings below the rear site... a 1 inside a tall pointy polygon. and there's probably more, the keep finding new ones. lolz
i have pics of all of these and would love to know what they mean.
the one i am most interested in is this one.
and wtf is this? doesnt look like i will ever be able to remove the bayonet..
if anybody has information on these markings some info on why they're there and what they mean would be greatly appreciated
oh and my SKS came with exact same accessories that you have pictured except my metal oil bottle is different, all black... i have a picture of that too
This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy, who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me...
another thanks to curtton for the time and effort put into your SKS FAQ
My rifle has the ring type top cover latch, you are welcome to use any of these pics for your FAQ
i also have a whole lot more pictures and many unanswered questions.
my 1950 has the 1949 90* type1 gas block. my SN is in the low 600's is it possible that the type1 gas blocks were used in early 1950. or is it more likely that the older gasblock was installed during refurb?
there are various letters stamped into the stock that i was wondering about too. i have a "B", "T", "X", "V" an M inside a square, 2 tiny squares with something in it (not the square with the line) some really strange markings below the rear site... a 1 inside a tall pointy polygon. and there's probably more, the keep finding new ones. lolz
i have pics of all of these and would love to know what they mean.
the one i am most interested in is this one.
and wtf is this? doesnt look like i will ever be able to remove the bayonet..
if anybody has information on these markings some info on why they're there and what they mean would be greatly appreciated
oh and my SKS came with exact same accessories that you have pictured except my metal oil bottle is different, all black... i have a picture of that too
Mr.Mckay : thanks for the pic , yes, i been waiting for a pic of the ring type top cover latch .
as for the gas block , i have seen pic on the web of 1950 with square gas block but i couldnt verify it so could you post pics of the serial number (SN) on the left side of receiver, SN behind of top cover and an entire rifle .... thanks
as for the gas block , i have seen pic on the web of 1950 with square gas block but i couldnt verify it so could you post pics of the serial number (SN) on the left side of receiver, SN behind of top cover and an entire rifle .... thanks
Great info source
After 15 years of inactivity, got back into the swing of things by passing the restricted tests and sent in the app for PAL. Am now looking at getting an SKS. Your article is terific and will guide me into getting the right rifle. Looks like dealers all over are expecting another shipment (May/June, 2009) and the prices will be similar if not better. Your research on the SKS`s history is commendable. My great thanks-RBy
UPDATE! PAL arrived and thanks to your write-up, just purchased two Russian Tula SKS's. A very tight '53 refurb with all matching numbers and a '56 in terrific condition with deep rifling and a gold bayonet (parade issue???). Got a crate of ammo too. Reading this article was instrumental in my making the right educated choice from the numerous rifles I had to choose from.
After 15 years of inactivity, got back into the swing of things by passing the restricted tests and sent in the app for PAL. Am now looking at getting an SKS. Your article is terific and will guide me into getting the right rifle. Looks like dealers all over are expecting another shipment (May/June, 2009) and the prices will be similar if not better. Your research on the SKS`s history is commendable. My great thanks-RBy
UPDATE! PAL arrived and thanks to your write-up, just purchased two Russian Tula SKS's. A very tight '53 refurb with all matching numbers and a '56 in terrific condition with deep rifling and a gold bayonet (parade issue???). Got a crate of ammo too. Reading this article was instrumental in my making the right educated choice from the numerous rifles I had to choose from.
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chrome bore test
from sticky : D2. Barrel. The original barrel are non-chrome lined bore, to protect the bore from corrosive ammo and increase durability, it was switched to chrome lined sometime in 1951. However both chambers are not chromed. Both barrels are threaded (no pin).
2a. Non-chrome lined bore. 1949 - part 1951. When the barrel wore out, it was replaced with a chromed lined barrel during refurbishing but only worn out barrel would be replaced. Nothing wrong with having non-chrome bore provided you clean it properly after using corrosive ammo.
2b. Chrome lined bore. Part of 1951 - 1956 . Chrome bore became the standard barrel on the assembly line.
from thread : http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...d.php?t=330964
firstly , i use the instant gun blue on a piece of steel and on an spare chrome faucet , cleaned the surface with varsol , i used a q-tip and dab gun blue on the steel and instantly it turned black and then i did it to the faucet and nothing happen , the bluing solution just sat there till i wiped it off and still no sign of any reaction to the bluing .
secondly , i used 3 rifles in this test .
1. a known chrome bore , an early chinese SKS , factory 26 1965 , althought there is no sign of the chrome by looking at the crown (this was the same with my other russians) so visual is not always reliable.
2. a known non-chrome , a russian 1950 , refurb , paint on the crown , i steelwool off the paint, dull color steel underneath .
3. a known chrome , a russian 1954 , refurb , paint on crown , when i steelwool the crown, this one i can see a chrome near the muzzle .
thirdly, i applied a dab of bluing to the crown and also to the chamber of each of the SKS and these are the results .
1. factory 26 1965 , crown did not change color (indicating present of chrome) but the chamber did (absent of chrome) .
2. russian 1950 , crown changed color so no need to do the chamber.
3. russian 1954 , crown did not change color but the chamber did .
conclusion: the russian SKS bore has both chrome and non-chrome , and the chambers are all non-chrome.
from sticky : D2. Barrel. The original barrel are non-chrome lined bore, to protect the bore from corrosive ammo and increase durability, it was switched to chrome lined sometime in 1951. However both chambers are not chromed. Both barrels are threaded (no pin).
2a. Non-chrome lined bore. 1949 - part 1951. When the barrel wore out, it was replaced with a chromed lined barrel during refurbishing but only worn out barrel would be replaced. Nothing wrong with having non-chrome bore provided you clean it properly after using corrosive ammo.
2b. Chrome lined bore. Part of 1951 - 1956 . Chrome bore became the standard barrel on the assembly line.
from thread : http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum...d.php?t=330964
firstly , i use the instant gun blue on a piece of steel and on an spare chrome faucet , cleaned the surface with varsol , i used a q-tip and dab gun blue on the steel and instantly it turned black and then i did it to the faucet and nothing happen , the bluing solution just sat there till i wiped it off and still no sign of any reaction to the bluing .
secondly , i used 3 rifles in this test .
1. a known chrome bore , an early chinese SKS , factory 26 1965 , althought there is no sign of the chrome by looking at the crown (this was the same with my other russians) so visual is not always reliable.
2. a known non-chrome , a russian 1950 , refurb , paint on the crown , i steelwool off the paint, dull color steel underneath .
3. a known chrome , a russian 1954 , refurb , paint on crown , when i steelwool the crown, this one i can see a chrome near the muzzle .
thirdly, i applied a dab of bluing to the crown and also to the chamber of each of the SKS and these are the results .
1. factory 26 1965 , crown did not change color (indicating present of chrome) but the chamber did (absent of chrome) .
2. russian 1950 , crown changed color so no need to do the chamber.
3. russian 1954 , crown did not change color but the chamber did .
conclusion: the russian SKS bore has both chrome and non-chrome , and the chambers are all non-chrome.
help identify
MRCLARK had an interesting SKS45 , he wasnt sure of its ID. see if you can figure out the ID without going to this thread first:http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343370
note: the bolt is the non-spring firing pin type .
MRCLARK had an interesting SKS45 , he wasnt sure of its ID. see if you can figure out the ID without going to this thread first:http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343370
Hi, got this in from SIR a few weeks ago, any idea if it really from 49?
It has the refurb cartouche on it so I figured out myself its a refurb
Anything you guys can tell me about it?
I guess I lucked out with the laminated stock?
more pics
note: the bolt is the non-spring firing pin type .
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easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Curtton, many thanks for your thorough write-up. I will definitely read and re-read it.
