howiebearse
Member
- Location
- Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
the guys here that collect sks carbines look for the following
1949 as close to original as possable (so few to pick from almost any example is a keeper for a collector)
1950 some of the parts were still used in 50 from the 49 so it has to be the early bolt, bolt carrier and gas block
(all early guns till 55 56 were hard wood stocks. a non refurb will have the factory code (5 pointed star with fletched arrow for Tula and Triangle with fletched arrow for Izhevesk) these4 factory markings are found on the top cover and on the left side of the butt stock with the same date and serial number as top cover if not rebuilt. )
Rebuilt guns can be al lmatching except stock depending on the condition when it went for rebuild. Some places that did rebuilding actually scrubbed the original serial numbers and re stamped the parts to match the rebuilt receiver. (usually these parts are lined out and electric penciled to new number to match) stock serial numbers are usually ######X through and new numbers stamped in.
so 51-55 you try and find un refurbed guns all matching with factory markings on stocks late 55 56 guns may have laminated stocks as original they usually just have a serial number on them
Refurb proofs usually a rectangle with a line from corner to corner or a diamond stamped on top cover and some times the stock
late 55 56 Tula 2 sizes of stars are used after the serial number no markings on top cover
transitional guns between late 55 56 can have a top cover with just the star with arrow and no date
Izhevesk only made sks carbines in 53 and 54 with the 53 being the rarest but both are hard to find
The 52 is hard to find in original unrebuilt condition
the 55 is also very hard to find in good blued condition
many sks carbines were rebuilt in shops that were not following an arsenal type rebuild. that was what I believe to be make work projects. This is where the sand blasted and painted flat black ones as well as the ones with blued bolts and bayonets came from.
Easiest non rebuilt to find is the 54 Tula It seems many were not issued for some reason. It is the most common one found
1949 as close to original as possable (so few to pick from almost any example is a keeper for a collector)
1950 some of the parts were still used in 50 from the 49 so it has to be the early bolt, bolt carrier and gas block
(all early guns till 55 56 were hard wood stocks. a non refurb will have the factory code (5 pointed star with fletched arrow for Tula and Triangle with fletched arrow for Izhevesk) these4 factory markings are found on the top cover and on the left side of the butt stock with the same date and serial number as top cover if not rebuilt. )
Rebuilt guns can be al lmatching except stock depending on the condition when it went for rebuild. Some places that did rebuilding actually scrubbed the original serial numbers and re stamped the parts to match the rebuilt receiver. (usually these parts are lined out and electric penciled to new number to match) stock serial numbers are usually ######X through and new numbers stamped in.
so 51-55 you try and find un refurbed guns all matching with factory markings on stocks late 55 56 guns may have laminated stocks as original they usually just have a serial number on them
Refurb proofs usually a rectangle with a line from corner to corner or a diamond stamped on top cover and some times the stock
late 55 56 Tula 2 sizes of stars are used after the serial number no markings on top cover
transitional guns between late 55 56 can have a top cover with just the star with arrow and no date
Izhevesk only made sks carbines in 53 and 54 with the 53 being the rarest but both are hard to find
The 52 is hard to find in original unrebuilt condition
the 55 is also very hard to find in good blued condition
many sks carbines were rebuilt in shops that were not following an arsenal type rebuild. that was what I believe to be make work projects. This is where the sand blasted and painted flat black ones as well as the ones with blued bolts and bayonets came from.
Easiest non rebuilt to find is the 54 Tula It seems many were not issued for some reason. It is the most common one found
