Three years ago today I was browsing Westrifle website. On the side column there was advertised 10- 1949 SKS for $400.00. When I purchased I did not realized the debate that would follow. I contacted a fellow collector in Nova Scotia a couple months after purchase asking if he had one and he replied that he had not seen one. He contacted Westrifle and said that if they got another that he would purchase. Their reply was that there was no such thing as a 50 with spike.
https://ibb.co/album/y6dgkK Thanks to Boris Bradinov for asking me to post on this site and all the experts who gave their knowledge on this subject, pros and cons. Although I have been unable to find another like mine the evidence has been growing. I realize that one carbine does not make it true and until other 50 with spike are found and documented with pictures mine is still under review.
What has been found is that mine has all the features of a 49.
The serial number on receiver was stuck with a defective stamp and is NOT a E but a Б. The rest of serial numbers are EM 717. The 717 looks like it was struck by the same person.
Need more information on SKS's with a serial number starting with БM if it can be found, as EM is associated with 1949 SKS
The laminate stock was made for a spike and not shaved down from a bade stock.
The most recent post by jmauer- "SKS Trials Article :Yushenko/m9130.info" indicates that spikes were to be used until supply was exhausted and could be used until Feb. 02 1950.
I am constantly checking websites to find another as there should be at least 716 with БM