1953 Tula

[Phosphorus32]

The other Russian SKS from the RIA auction pair. I decided the wood on this one looked good in direct sunlight.

Two more to go, 1952 and 1956 Tulas 

[carls sks]

another beauty, i hate u.

[Phosphorus32]

another beauty, i hate u.

  fair enough 

[Matchka]

Veddy nize!

[Phosphorus32]

Veddy nize!

Thank-you!

[running-man]

That Stock color is beautiful in the sun.  Almost has the charcoaled look of an Irkutsk refurb.  Any /1\ stamp evident on the receiver anywhere?

Too bad about the lack of cartouche and sanded acceptance stamp on the right side, but hey, you can’t ask for everything!  All in all a very nice clean carbine.  Nice uncommon ‘53 prefix too, not many of those around. 

[pcke2000]

Very nice! Gorgeous stock!

BTW, are there two e-penciled serial numbers on rear sight leaf?

[Direct Connection]

Funny how these Russin sks dont show age like their women. Russian women dont age well.  That thing looks like she just got out of high school !

Its nice to see members still post up pictures their gems and finds. That has gone away a little from 10 years ago or so. You did really good P32. Now that's all original it appears. Their soooo nice !!

[Phosphorus32]

That Stock color is beautiful in the sun.  Almost has the charcoaled look of an Irkutsk refurb.  Any /1\ stamp evident on the receiver anywhere?

Too bad about the lack of cartouche and sanded acceptance stamp on the right side, but hey, you can’t ask for everything!  All in all a very nice clean carbine.  Nice uncommon ‘53 prefix too, not many of those around. 

Thanks 

I hadn't had the barreled action out of the stock, until you asked. Those little Irkutsk triangles can be (partially) below the wood, so I popped it out. No sign of one. I'm not sure where this one was refurbished.

Yeah, at first glance I thought it might be a blank stock replacement, but the moderate rounding of the grasping grooves indicates it was sanded and refinished. I'd guess the handguard is original with it's slightly darker red finish.

[Phosphorus32]

Very nice! Gorgeous stock!

BTW, are there two e-penciled serial numbers on rear sight leaf?

Thanks PC! Yup, two ep'd serial numbers. The one on the left of the sight leaf is rather poor, but the same serial number, so control must have made him do it again.

[Phosphorus32]

Funny how these Russin sks dont show age like their women. Russian women dont age well.  That thing looks like she just got out of high school !

Its nice to see members still post up pictures their gems and finds. That has gone away a little from 10 years ago or so. You did really good P32. Now that's all original it appears. Their soooo nice !!

Thanks!

I think the metal is original matching, so I'll keep it    If I'm going to fill every year slot from both makers there are going to be a lot of light refurbs and a couple of heavy ones.

[BMont]

As usual a bit late to the unveil ... but another super fine specimen.   

[Boris Badinov]

Phos--

I'm intrigued by the crossbolt holes on both sides of stock-- the rims of the circle cuts appear very crisp (like new) and the pockets appear deep. Which is not a trait I would generally attribute to a stock with no crossbolt stamps. Meaning that the absence of crossbolt stamps usually means heavy sanding and refinish which usually dulls the rim edges of the crossbolt holes and shallows out the pocket around the bolts.

The fit of the stock around the butt plate also seems to suggest (to me) that the stock has not been sanded.

Of course I only seeing this in photos, but is this the sense you get examining the rifle in person?

[Boris Badinov]

I'm gonna go ahead an put it out there...

I don't think this stock has ever been sanded. If so, it has also never been stamped.-- other than the serial that is.


Also, I got so obsessed with the stock I almost forgot...

VERRRRY NICE! Congrats!

[Phosphorus32]

As usual a bit late to the unveil ... but another super fine specimen.   

Thanks much 

[Phosphorus32]

I'm gonna go ahead an put it out there...

I don't think this stock has ever been sanded. If so, it has also never been stamped.-- other than the serial that is.


Also, I got so obsessed with the stock I almost forgot...

VERRRRY NICE! Congrats!

Thanks Boris!

Your impression is correct. The crossbolt holes are crisp and deep. The grasping grooves are slightly rounded, but it may have been that they intentionally knocked off the sharp edges. There is definitely no signs of a Tula/Year cartouche on the left side, or a Tula inspection officer cartouche on the right side. Definitely no signs of crossbolt markings. Perhaps a replacement stock that was stamped with the serial number only.