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

svt1940 said:
Sometime, russian didnt put refurb mark during refurbishing. The correct stock for a 1953 should be hardwood not laminate. I dont believe in "unfired" SKS since they must had fews rounds for function testing before going in storage or whatever. Your 1953 may have seen very little use but the stock was likely replaced.
Jocelyn
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Thanks a lot Jocelyn I've read a lot of your posts and you clearly know your SKS's. From what I've researched I have to agree that the laminate must be a replacement. Hopefully it's not too rare because I plan to shoot the crap out of it regardless. :D

I certainly can't complain about the condition though, aside from a couple scratches on the stock it's immaculate, and a super tight fit. I have a good feeling this one will be a shooter!
 
DarceMegarce said:
Thanks a lot Jocelyn I've read a lot of your posts and you clearly know your SKS's. From what I've researched I have to agree that the laminate must be a replacement. Hopefully it's not too rare because I plan to shoot the crap out of it regardless. :D

I certainly can't complain about the condition though, aside from a couple scratches on the stock it's immaculate, and a super tight fit. I have a good feeling this one will be a shooter!
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Dont worry, go shoot it! I have a 1953 sold as unissued, i wont say unfired because of statement i made in other post but unissued is possible. All matching, hardwood stock, no apparent wear on the bolt,hammer and other part. I will never shoot it because i have mores SKS for that and now, i use my CZ858 so my others rifles dont go out.
Jocelyn
 
wow good write up
I should check my russian , Shoots about 1moa or less @ 100 with fmj, maybe I have the rare one , . I even shot a deer with it with handloads ,nice and light for climbing
My other chinese is 1/2 the quality of the russian
 
Wow this thread is a wealth of info. I wish I found this a few days ago when I was researching like crazy before buying my sks. Thanks for the info and I'll be sure to put it to good use when getting my next one!
 
Congratulations on a well laid out mass of info. It wouldappear that I own a 51 Russian. The markings are all okay except that there is no arrow inside the Star. Has anybody come across this feature before or do I have a fake ..

Again well done and thanks for the time and effort
 
Is an unissued Russian SKS manufactured in 1954 almost certainly going to have a threaded, chrome-lined barrel? (I think so.)

Could a supposedly unissued, non-refurbished 1952 have a laminated stock?
 
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Curtton:

1953 Izhevsk with transitional bayonet lug, normally (and uncommonly) found on 1952 mid to late Tula SKS's.
Refurbishment only limited to replacement stock.

7966160392_9321b363ed_b.jpg
 
Does not look like it is the correct adapter. It should have straight collars not at an angle. This bayonet must be floppy. You can see by the punch marks that the bayonet has been changed.
 
YooperJ said:
Does not look like it is the correct adapter. It should have straight collars not at an angle. This bayonet must be floppy. You can see by the punch marks that the bayonet has been changed.
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The rifle is completely original with exception of the new production laminate stock. The bayonet is not floppy, quite the contrary. The punch marks are misaligned because the bayonet screw was snugged down during arsenal refurbishment; I have seen this alot, even on non-refurbished, as-issued specimens. It seems Ivan's refurb crew even checked over non-refurbs and snugged down bayonet screws where deemed necessary. Many to most SKS's in Canada are mild refurbs, usually limited to replacement stocks, and sometimes recycled or force-matched gas tubes and gas pistons. I have only seen a few SKS's with replaced adaptors and it's a VERY obvious feature to spot.

As sad as this sounds, I have made a hobby of handling as many SKS's as I can. I have rummaged through more dealer crates than I care to admit. I often record my observations in a special Excel application that I created. I'm certain I've inspected over 250 units. I have seen many levels or degrees of refurbishment, from crinkle black painted everything to solely replacement stocks. I also own a few original, as-issued specimens. One of the first things I check when SKS shopping are bayonet screw punch marks (for collectors) and handle adaptors as nobody wants a droopy bayonet.
 
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The photo is misleading as it appears the bayonet handle is angled cut to accommodate an angled inner ear. It's actually straight cut and slightly beveled on the edges. I think the shading effect makes it look angled. I will post a better photo later.
 
I'm not doubting you, but by the picture it looked like the adapter was angled somewhat. That's why I asked if the bayonet drooped. I have had and seen lots of SKS's where the punch marks line up together. It was later, where bayonets were removed because of some import law that you found things not put back together correctly. I'm not sure if Canadian Importers had to import with bayonets detached or not, just know that it was the practice at one point in time. Being a '53 makes it somewhat unique with that type of bayonet lug. The first one that I have seen. The new pictures clear it up a lot more. Does it have any other early features? BTW, I don't have a fancy webpage, I have a web page that is FREE to view and help out the new collectors. As I have said on the pages, you can expect anything on a SKS that could vary from the norm. Sorry if I offended you, that was NOT the intent.
 
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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