Russian Letter SeriesThe Russian letter series are a very unique and collectable example of the Russian Sks 45. The reason they are called letter series is because the serial number is followed by one of three Russian letters. As of right now the current research suggests that the letters correspond with years, before the letter series there are 7 other dated years, 1949-1955 and two years of rifles produced in a factory called Izhevsk in 1953-54. After 1955 the Russians went to a different method of dating the carbines the first year was
1956, Д =D in English
1957, И= I in English
1958, K= K in English
Letter D Non-Refurb
Letter I Non-Refurb
Letter K Non-Refurb
Currently the letter K or 1958 is the last year of the Russian Sks 45 that we know about, the letter series have some unique features that other years do not have.
First off is that the top receiver cover is blank, no date or star on the receiver cover just the serial number on the back side.
Another unique feature is that there is a small star on the left side of the receiver.
All Original non-refurb Russian sks years have a date and star on the left side of the stock, except for some late 1955 and all the letter series, they show just a serial number.
1949-early 1955 Non-Refurbished
Late 1955-letter guns Non-Refurbished
Another unique feature is all letter series have been seen with original laminate stocks or original Arctic Birch stocks, the original laminate stocks are easy to distinguish from a refurbished laminate replacement stock simply because they will be the same ruby red shellac as the Arctic Birch.
Replacement stock
Original non-Refurbished Laminate