midnightpossum
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
At this point in time I do not own an Izzy... but would love to see your Izzies.. make it ###y and fun (Izzy ####).. I am under the impression that they are not quit as RED.
Show me your Izzy.. and I will show you my Tula
- Thread starter midnightpossum
- Start date
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Izhevsk second from top, the rest are non-refurbished Tulas ('51, '53 Izzy, '54, '55, in that order). Unfortunately, the stock on the '53 Izhevsk is a "new production" arsenal-fitted laminate, not the original hardwood. The rest of the rifle is all-matching and original.
I have handled quite a few Izhevsk's over the last few years, and I can honestly say that there's no real difference in build quality, colour, bluing, etc. They are just more rare, particularly the '53's. The SKS registry, at 2200 entries, indicates that '53 Izhevsk refurbs are LESS common than '54 Izhevsk non-refurbs. There seems to be equal variability in colour, quality, etc. from both arsenals.
Off topic...
One SKS expert, who I won't name, is of the opinion that some, if not all/many, "no-date" 1955-56 "Tulas" are in fact made at Izhevsk! But I digress and rattle chains.
I have handled quite a few Izhevsk's over the last few years, and I can honestly say that there's no real difference in build quality, colour, bluing, etc. They are just more rare, particularly the '53's. The SKS registry, at 2200 entries, indicates that '53 Izhevsk refurbs are LESS common than '54 Izhevsk non-refurbs. There seems to be equal variability in colour, quality, etc. from both arsenals.
Off topic...
One SKS expert, who I won't name, is of the opinion that some, if not all/many, "no-date" 1955-56 "Tulas" are in fact made at Izhevsk! But I digress and rattle chains.
Last edited:
midnightpossum
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
I am guessing that a dated 1955 Tulal is rarer then any izzy, as it was onley produced for the first part of 55.. would that be a safe assumption ..
Any how .. we are so used to seeing the Tula Cartouche.. thought it would be nice to see some Izzy Cartouches.
Any how .. we are so used to seeing the Tula Cartouche.. thought it would be nice to see some Izzy Cartouches.
midnightpossum
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
Syphen:
Thanks for posting... nice cartouche close ups.... you can see that the izzy has a light tone then the Tula
Thanks for posting... nice cartouche close ups.... you can see that the izzy has a light tone then the Tula
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Syphen has, what many here believe to be, a non-refurbished 1953. To put that into perspective, I have probably inspected 1500 to 2000 SKS's over the past 4 years, in person, and in photos collectors have sent me. I have NEVER seen another non-refurbished 1953 Izhevsk in person. I have heard of them and seen a few photos (99% of the claims are false or people are in dream land with their peckers in their hands). There are a few floating around the US, and a couple of collectors here on CGN have them. I am a bit skeptical that his is in fact non-refurbished, but it does appear to be the real deal.
Now that westrife and to a lesser extent, weimajack, have access to the LAST of the Russian SKS stock, THE GOOD ONES, we may see a few more non-refurbished 1953 Izhevsk beauties like Syphen's.
I would place a conservative value of over $600 for his rifle (and that will grow over time), particularly in light of the fact that all of westrifle's $500 1949's have sold! The 1953 Izhevsk non-refurbished is the RAREST of them all. Some will argue that point.
Oh, and in the few photos I've seen of 1953 non-refurbished Izhevsk SKS carbines, the stocks varied in colour... which is consistent with the rest of the 1953 package! I'm sure others will chime in.
Last edited:
midnightpossum
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootneys
Imagine if we had access to the sks's that are stored away in Cuba!
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
RMXC51... you poser
Damn nice collection!! They also look mint. How do you store them? Do you have custom millwork in your basement?
As I mentioned before, I find the '53 Izhevsks the most interesting of them all. I also love the EARLY '50/'51 non-refurbs. The quality, in my opinion, peaked in 1951, when production runs were smaller, and the SKS was still the 'main battle rifle' for Soviets troops.
Damn nice collection!! They also look mint. How do you store them? Do you have custom millwork in your basement?
As I mentioned before, I find the '53 Izhevsks the most interesting of them all. I also love the EARLY '50/'51 non-refurbs. The quality, in my opinion, peaked in 1951, when production runs were smaller, and the SKS was still the 'main battle rifle' for Soviets troops.
- Location
- In the Badlands of Alberta
I had a non-refurbed 53 Izzy from the first IZH import. It's the one on YooperJohn's site. Westrifle had one that someone grabbed. It was a non-refurb,that someone tried to sand a scratch out on the butt stock. It left a lighter area in front of the serial number.
I've heard that same idea about the Letter Series being built at Izhevsk. It would explain the plain star,but not the Tula final inspection stamp.
I've heard that same idea about the Letter Series being built at Izhevsk. It would explain the plain star,but not the Tula final inspection stamp.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
They sanded a non-refurb Izhevsk? Dear God
Regarding your latter point, it's not insurmountable to believe that many, if not all, parts were still made and inspected at Tula, but final assembly occurred at Izhevsk. Just sayin'
Old Outlaw
Regular
- Location
- State of Iowa, USA
RMXC51, decided to come here and enjoy your family group again. They are beautiful!
A couple pics of mine. You guys can be the judge. I'm quite certain it is one of the very few in North America. Last I counted I've only seen a total of maybe 7 or 8 of them and only 1 other with the proof mark on the left side the same as mine. Bottom one is the '53, I sold the '54 earlier this year.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
Welcome to the forum... we're a bit crazier here, but love our toys.
I will try and play. Most of my pics from my ancient camera did not work...
Got a 53 and a 54 non refurb non issued Izzy rifles. All matching of course, and all cartouches present (both sides of stock bolt, right side of stock and left). Purchased from Westrifle... As good as it gets... The 1953 is an AH series, the earliest I have seen so far.
54 stock cartouche:
53 stock cartouche:
Group shot, the 54 is the top rifle:
Got a 53 and a 54 non refurb non issued Izzy rifles. All matching of course, and all cartouches present (both sides of stock bolt, right side of stock and left). Purchased from Westrifle... As good as it gets... The 1953 is an AH series, the earliest I have seen so far.
54 stock cartouche:
53 stock cartouche:
Group shot, the 54 is the top rifle:
