SKS serial number question

[old_man]

I'm looking at a couple SKSs right now. One if from someone on this site so naturally he answers all my questions in a fairly straight forward manner. The second one is from another site.

The second SKS is a late model letter series one. As far as I can tell all the serial numbers match with nothing being forced match. A few things throw me off. 1) He said he refurbished it but doesn't exactly say what that means. 2) The serial number looks like it is painted on with a white/silver paint marker, not electro pencilled. Did they ever do that? 3) The bayonet is black, I think that means a factory refurb?

 

[Jay]

Personally, unless the person did a GREAT job, I would not want an SKS they have refurbished themselves...

Factory refurbishment is fine by me.

Cheers
Jay

 

[Boris Badinov]

There is NO such thing as a "late model letter series" type56.

However many of commercially repurposed guns had letter suffix/-es and prefix/-es added to the receiver serials prior to export/import.

A small number of late production Type56's had serial, arsenal, and 56Type (五六式) designation done with an electro-STENCIL.

The electro stencil is a precision application, likely done by computer or with some type of template.

What are the serial number and arsenal stamp?

There are a handful of threads on other forums about this variation on the Type56 serial markings. I cant recall where though.

 

[old_man]

There is NO such thing as a "late model letter series" type56.

However many of commercially repurposed guns had letter suffix/-es and prefix/-es added to the receiver serials prior to export/import.

A small number of late production Type56's had serial, arsenal, and 56Type (五六式) designation done with an electro-STENCIL.

The electro stencil is a precision application, likely done by computer or with some type of template.

What are the serial number and arsenal stamp?

There are a handful of threads on other forums about this variation on the Type56 serial markings. I cant recall where though.

It's an SKS. By letter series I mean the ones that had a letter after the serial number. Something I read about on the internet. I understood it to mean it was some of the last years produced.

 

[jstin]

After 55 the SKS started using a letter after the S/N and a star further down on receiver. They are called D, I and K series(English). Date is no longer stamped on receiver cover.
1956 - д
1957 - И
1958 - K

 

[Robert Nicholson]

It's an SKS. By letter series I mean the ones that had a letter after the serial number. Something I read about on the internet. I understood it to mean it was some of the last years produced.

I think I know what you mean, and in regards to any kind of coloring of the serial number; it is probably just some stuff rubbed into it to make it photo better.
Unfortunately, both of the other responses to your question baffle me as to what they think they are replying to.

 

[bobdbldr]

I have a couple black bayo letter series and if the one you are talking about is similar, the refurb factory did a great job, lots of new parts and the blueing is fantastic! If the person did other things to it after the fact, then you are taking chances that they also knew what they were doing! Ask lots of questions and get lots of pictures!

 

[05RAV]

The second SKS is a late model letter series one. As far as I can tell all the serial numbers match with nothing being forced match. A few things throw me off. 1) He said he refurbished it but doesn't exactly say what that means. 2) The serial number looks like it is painted on with a white/silver paint marker, not electro pencilled. Did they ever do that? 3) The bayonet is black, I think that means a factory refurb?

What do you mean that "he refurbished it"? The seller refurbished it? I don't believe it. Perhaps, he said that the gun was arsenal refurbished?

Is a serial number really painted or stamped and filled with white paint? The serial numbers were not electro pencilled.

A black bayonet is, most likely, evidence that an SKS was refurbished.

Do you find any arsenal marking where that SKS could be refurbished? They look like below:

Is that SKS blued or so called "barbecue painted"? If the latter than it is a simple "Molot" import from before the sanctions on the Russian Federation.

 

[old_man]

Is a serial number really painted or stamped and filled with white paint? The serial numbers were not electro pencilled.
.

Sorry, I realise I wasn't clear. The serial number on the gas tube. From the pictures it looks like it was painted on not electro pencilled like I have seen on others. I have not seen this rifle in person.

 

[05RAV]

Quote Originally Posted by 05RAV View Post
Is a serial number really painted or stamped and filled with white paint? The serial numbers were not electro pencilled.

.

Sorry, I realise I wasn't clear. The serial number on the gas tube. From the pictures it looks like it was painted on not electro pencilled like I have seen on others. I have not seen this rifle in person.

A painted number on the gas tube strongly indicates refurb. Now you have more info how to identified an SKS so inspect more thoroughly that particular SKS. It would be even better if you could post some pics.

 

[Boris Badinov]

My mistake. In my reply above, I assumed this was regarding the Chinese Letter Guns.

Electro pencil serial on the gas tube is standard on Russian guns. They can often look painted on especially on refurbs t that have been painted black.

The black PAINTED bayo is considered an obvious indication of refurb.

The same generally goes for the BLUED bayonets, though they often appear on rifles with no other apparent signs of refurbishment.

 

[jaroslav]

I'm looking at a couple SKSs right now. One if from someone on this site so naturally he answers all my questions in a fairly straight forward manner. The second one is from another site.

The second SKS is a late model letter series one. As far as I can tell all the serial numbers match with nothing being forced match. A few things throw me off. 1) He said he refurbished it but doesn't exactly say what that means. 2) The serial number looks like it is painted on with a white/silver paint marker, not electro pencilled. Did they ever do that? 3) The bayonet is black, I think that means a factory refurb?

He probably sanded and varnished the stock.