SKS-FILES FORUM

SKS Carbines => Unaltered SKS Rifles => Russian SKS => Topic started by: Phosphorus32 on March 26, 2021, 10:01:18 PM

Title: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 26, 2021, 10:01:18 PM
Well, you've seen it before, but here are some more pictures. A trade was established and now it resides in Washington and my 1951 resides in Chevy Boy's neck of the woods.

Not much more to say except I'm happy  :)  dance2 Just a lot of detailed pictures for reference. Remarkable how many 1949 features survived a heavy refurbishment at Arsenal No. 1, Balakleya.

(https://i.ibb.co/mt21K8C/00-rec-cover-1949.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3WjGbzy)

(https://i.ibb.co/BPnSbL7/01-left-full-bayo-extend.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GJHby71)

(https://i.ibb.co/jHfdzr1/01-left-full.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1bQ3Mmw)

(https://i.ibb.co/dM5pBnQ/02-left.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Sy3mNqK)

(https://i.ibb.co/jwRRcqt/03-left.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QHdd2h0)

(https://i.ibb.co/9syK0y0/04-left.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f4r6WrW)

(https://i.ibb.co/mhCyJJG/05-left.jpg) (https://ibb.co/h2Rdssy)

(https://i.ibb.co/pwxwwYt/06-left.jpg) (https://ibb.co/C8z88Rk)

(https://i.ibb.co/ysHG3kY/07-right-full.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SvFWLmd)

(https://i.ibb.co/VmCJ484/08-right.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tX2Qr5r)

(https://i.ibb.co/nbcbcZ3/09-right.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vHPHPgs)

(https://i.ibb.co/2F3sfwj/10-right.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RgTBV1C)

(https://i.ibb.co/NNYyCnM/11-right.jpg) (https://ibb.co/C90H8sf)

(https://i.ibb.co/8jR62WM/12-right.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sFDyQ0j)

(https://i.ibb.co/WnSQj6L/13-SN-receiver-in.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F6G9CKF)

(https://i.ibb.co/wJ7Kx6x/14-SN-rec-cover.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HNCrkgk)

(https://i.ibb.co/Zzqh15m/15-SN-stock-and-star.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1GF9J16)

(https://i.ibb.co/P42FG9g/16-SN-mag.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6bKr01F)

(https://i.ibb.co/RQ06GwC/17-SN-trigger-group.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8P5xnZj)

(https://i.ibb.co/4gPBrDn/18-SN-bolt-carrier-in.jpg) (https://ibb.co/S7RqC14)

(https://i.ibb.co/zxG2T1k/19-SN-bolt-exploded-view.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V92CcdK)

(https://i.ibb.co/9Y5mwcK/19-SN-extractor.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f0wV8q6)

(https://i.ibb.co/stKLDQK/20-bolt-and-carrier-left.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0QCPWZC)

(https://i.ibb.co/nkncYQF/21-bolt-and-carrier-right.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q1Wscmv)

(https://i.ibb.co/CQN1dLM/22-SN-tube-and-piston.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TtpvXyb)

(https://i.ibb.co/pjJ5pY0/23-SN-sight-slider.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m56g7fD)

(https://i.ibb.co/jJLtM3h/24-SN-bayonet.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GHVm2C7)

(https://i.ibb.co/FsZkvx8/25-receiver-bottom-star.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rb8KP75)

(https://i.ibb.co/hWXDTTT/26-barrel-markings-bottom.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jMVgjjj)

(https://i.ibb.co/61NbyRg/27-left-rec-markings.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GtFkdvc)

(https://i.ibb.co/qWj7Sxr/28-Stock-right-refurb-and-M.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0F2m7QG)

(https://i.ibb.co/3FBgkt4/29-bayonet-detail-side-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jwgnH7b)

(https://i.ibb.co/phjF7nK/30-bayonet-detail-side-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sW9Yft1)

(https://i.ibb.co/Hgg86L8/31-ferrule-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kccCjVC)

(https://i.ibb.co/N375T09/32-ferrule-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9vG6Zxb)

(https://i.ibb.co/t3VvYGq/33-ferrule-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hC3426B)

(https://i.ibb.co/n0tcVcB/33-take-down-latch-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N3bjkjr)

(https://i.ibb.co/DVdbs7F/34-take-down-latch-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bWt3qrV)

(https://i.ibb.co/30BpyzC/35-take-down-latch-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BgqyVNC)

(https://i.ibb.co/kKZ0X3h/36-gas-tube-detail.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zsdbZ8S)

(https://i.ibb.co/GCXcHy5/37-gas-piston-head.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KVYFKdr)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 26, 2021, 10:58:28 PM
Big congratulations again !!
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 26, 2021, 11:45:45 PM
Interesting to see bayonet has full serial e-penciled.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 27, 2021, 10:43:19 AM
Interesting to see bayonet has full serial e-penciled.

Yeah, that is a new location for a serial number to me.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 27, 2021, 02:59:40 PM
Interestingly, my 49 firing pin has a matching e-penciled serial number too.

The safety level is a real 49 level.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Chevy Boy on March 27, 2021, 03:37:49 PM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: hoopharted on March 27, 2021, 03:39:03 PM
beautiful , i need a rusky for my stable again
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 27, 2021, 05:17:35 PM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?

It's more likely case by case. However, you can generally tell if parts are period correct.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Bubbazinetti on March 27, 2021, 09:43:50 PM
Very nice rifle boss.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 27, 2021, 09:50:24 PM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?

It's more likely case by case. However, you can generally tell if parts are period correct.

Right, scrubbing and restamping parts was just a common procedure during refurbishment within the Soviet arms (and equipment) refurbishment arsenal system, regardless of the year of the SKS. So many parts on 1949 Tulas are unique to that year, as pcke points out, such that you can look for those period correct features: spike bayonet, proper stock, proper ferrule, bayonet lug, receiver cover latch with loop, magazine without a pin (lost on this one), general bolt shape, spring loaded firing pin...
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 27, 2021, 09:51:02 PM
Very nice rifle boss.

Thanks man!  8) thumb1
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 27, 2021, 10:30:07 PM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?

It's more likely case by case. However, you can generally tell if parts are period correct.

Right, scrubbing and restamping parts was just a common procedure during refurbishment within the Soviet arms (and equipment) refurbishment arsenal system, regardless of the year of the SKS. So many parts on 1949 Tulas are unique to that year, as pcke points out, such that you can look for those period correct features: spike bayonet, proper stock, proper ferrule, bayonet lug, receiver cover latch with loop, magazine without a pin (lost on this one), general bolt shape, spring loaded firing pin...

I would like to add 'safety lever'. I still believe 1949 to early 1950 (?) has different type of safety lever.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Greatguns on March 27, 2021, 11:23:04 PM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?

It's more likely case by case. However, you can generally tell if parts are period correct.

Right, scrubbing and restamping parts was just a common procedure during refurbishment within the Soviet arms (and equipment) refurbishment arsenal system, regardless of the year of the SKS. So many parts on 1949 Tulas are unique to that year, as pcke points out, such that you can look for those period correct features: spike bayonet, proper stock, proper ferrule, bayonet lug, receiver cover latch with loop, magazine without a pin (lost on this one), general bolt shape, spring loaded firing pin...

I would like to add 'safety lever'. I still believe 1949 to early 1950 (?) has different type of safety lever.

The lever is pretty much the same but it is friction based as opposed to the spring 'over center' based safety levers which, without the spring, just flop around.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 27, 2021, 11:51:05 PM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?

It's more likely case by case. However, you can generally tell if parts are period correct.

Right, scrubbing and restamping parts was just a common procedure during refurbishment within the Soviet arms (and equipment) refurbishment arsenal system, regardless of the year of the SKS. So many parts on 1949 Tulas are unique to that year, as pcke points out, such that you can look for those period correct features: spike bayonet, proper stock, proper ferrule, bayonet lug, receiver cover latch with loop, magazine without a pin (lost on this one), general bolt shape, spring loaded firing pin...

I would like to add 'safety lever'. I still believe 1949 to early 1950 (?) has different type of safety lever.

The lever is pretty much the same but it is friction based as opposed to the spring 'over center' based safety levers which, without the spring, just flop around.

Sorry, that's not what I was talking about. The difference was regarding the direction of serrations on the lever.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: jstin2 on March 28, 2021, 07:32:28 AM
I compared my early 50 and 54 safety levers. Never noticed difference until it was mentioned. I added 2 pictures from a early 49(no knurls).

https://ibb.co/album/FkZhjC
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Greatguns on March 28, 2021, 10:15:13 AM
Did a lot of 1949 parts typically get “scrubbed” and replaced during the refurbishment process?

It's more likely case by case. However, you can generally tell if parts are period correct.

Right, scrubbing and restamping parts was just a common procedure during refurbishment within the Soviet arms (and equipment) refurbishment arsenal system, regardless of the year of the SKS. So many parts on 1949 Tulas are unique to that year, as pcke points out, such that you can look for those period correct features: spike bayonet, proper stock, proper ferrule, bayonet lug, receiver cover latch with loop, magazine without a pin (lost on this one), general bolt shape, spring loaded firing pin...

I would like to add 'safety lever'. I still believe 1949 to early 1950 (?) has different type of safety lever.

The lever is pretty much the same but it is friction based as opposed to the spring 'over center' based safety levers which, without the spring, just flop around.

Sorry, that's not what I was talking about. The difference was regarding the direction of serrations on the lever.

Huh, never paid attention to the aesthetics of them. I'll have to compare next time I get them out.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: jaroslav on March 28, 2021, 11:09:46 AM
It looks, that the gas tube and piston were replaced. The font on the first letter is different from the rest.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 28, 2021, 11:47:57 AM
It looks, that the gas tube and piston were replaced. The font on the first letter is different from the rest.

You’re referring to the font of free hand electropenciled parts? I definitely look at fonts on stamped parts but I never thought to assume that all parts that are EPd have to be done by the same person in the same way on each part. That seems like a big set of assumptions to me.

I’ve never seen a gas piston quite like this one before. It’s subtle but different.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: jaroslav on March 28, 2021, 12:12:57 PM
Yes. Different hand did the first letter.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 28, 2021, 12:26:57 PM
Yes. Different hand did the first letter.

Yeah, I’m sticking to that’s impossible to determine, given that an electropencil is not a precision writing tool, the different radii of the two parts, and it’s a human doing the writing (no two letters will be exactly the same). You can see how wavy every part of the Ж is on the tighter radius gas piston.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Greatguns on March 28, 2021, 12:34:17 PM
Yes. Different hand did the first letter.

Yeah, I’m sticking to that’s impossible to determine, given that an electropencil is not a precision writing tool, the different radii of the two parts, and it’s a human doing the writing (no two letters will be exactly the same). You can see how wavy every part of the Ж is on the tighter radius gas piston.

Or...the guy wanted to take a break so he leaned over to his buddy on the line and said(in my best Russian accent) 'Comrade, I go on break now, you finish letter for me Da?'   And thus we have 2 different looking Жs...unless, of course, the comrade said(again in my best Russian accent) 'Nyet, you finish when return from break' :)) :))
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: jaroslav on March 28, 2021, 12:46:04 PM
Yes. Different hand did the first letter.

Yeah, I’m sticking to that’s impossible to determine, given that an electropencil is not a precision writing tool, the different radii of the two parts, and it’s a human doing the writing (no two letters will be exactly the same). You can see how wavy every part of the Ж is on the tighter radius gas piston.

What I mean is the Ж  on the gas tube and piston is hand WRITTEN and the rest electro -pencilled is hand PRINTED.
Why I noticed that, is, I had to learn Russian language for 5 years, so I can do Russian handwritting.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 28, 2021, 12:53:29 PM
To me they both look like cursive, I can see the continuous lines in both. I see the loops have closed and the lines are unsteady on the gas piston, but I still see a continuous pen-to-steel line on the Ж. We agree that they look different but as to the reason why they look different I think we’re just going to have to agree to disagree  thumb1 :)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 28, 2021, 03:08:53 PM
I fully understand the differences between standard print Ж and hand written Ж jaroslav talked about (I used to learn a little bit Russian but now almost forgot all). However, I believe it's more likely up to technician's personal preferences. Based upon my observation on e-penciled serials on SKS and refurb SVT-40, it is not uncommon.

Similar cases can be seen with Cyrillic prefixes containing letters П, Д, and ф.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 28, 2021, 03:30:30 PM
I compared my early 50 and 54 safety levers. Never noticed difference until it was mentioned.

https://ibb.co/album/FkZhjC

That's exactly what I talked about. One is almost 90 degrees perpendicular to trigger guard, while the other has a noticeable angle.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 28, 2021, 05:01:23 PM
Regardless of the EP'd letters, it's difficult to say whether part x, y or z is original to the gun in a heavy refurb like this SKS. However, I immediately felt like the gas piston was odd when I was cleaning it. Here are side-by-side pics with the gas piston from my late 1950 SKS-45.

The radius in the transition from the head to the shaft of the gas piston in the 1949 is definitely tighter than the one in the 1950.

(https://i.ibb.co/9ZK4ZM4/41-gas-piston-49-top-50-bottom.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/TcTYxc6/42-gas-piston-49-right-50-left.jpg)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Cz315 on March 28, 2021, 05:50:50 PM
I agree with jaroslav that the two Ж's were likely written by two different people. Given the heavy refurb nature of the rifle it's feasible that it underwent updating at two different times. As long as the part are time appropriate it probably matters very little, though.
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 28, 2021, 06:14:08 PM
You guys no doubt have cursive writing that is far superior to mine. There is no way I could duplicate my cursive letters with pen on paper, let alone while using an electropencil on a tube and a rod that differ 2.5 fold in diameter (15 vs. 6 mm)  :o :))

(https://i.ibb.co/Xjj4pCw/43-SN-gas-piston-and-tube.jpg)


Regardless, I agree you can't assign originality to a refurbished common replacement part. Furthermore, the two gas pistons I showed in my previous post are definitely different, whether the tight radius gas piston in my 1949 is actually a 1949 part or not.

(https://i.ibb.co/9ZK4ZM4/41-gas-piston-49-top-50-bottom.jpg)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Justin Hell on March 28, 2021, 08:22:21 PM
I applaud the photos in this thread. Every single base is covered. Bottom pinned stock ferrules are so naughty. :)

I would like to challenge anyone to actually use their natural script when electro penciling. Using a pointy vibrating tool on a rounded surface is akin to what legally constitutes a valid signature on a ballot. If this is some kind of abrasion meant to mislead, I am not moved. I also clap for the noticing of the differences of early pistons...something I certainly noticed, but assumed everybody knew already.

Off the top of my head, I fail to recall the gun you have already left to me in your SKS-Files will, but I don't forget a potential SKS down the pipe. Whatever that gun was, if you could revise your will to upgrade to this one...I don't think I would mind, and promise your memory would last as long as mine does.  chuckles1

Now I have to go look at a few SKSs built using Canadian parts...checking for my safety groove's polarity. :P

It is wonderful seeing a board member transaction where a pig poker becomes a collectible and we get another glimpse at one of these neato versions of our favorite gun.  thumb1
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: jstin2 on March 28, 2021, 09:03:34 PM
After reading this post, I checked out my 50 with spike and my 54. I would say that the piston rod were transitioned in 1950.

https://ibb.co/album/5x1ZfM
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on March 29, 2021, 12:16:13 AM
Thank you everyone for bringing up this unique feature on gas piston. I have to admit that I had never paid attention to it until I saw you guys' posts today.

I think P32's gas piston is original to his 1949, or at least period correct. Attached is a pic of gas piston on my 1949 (I took the pic back in 2015, but had never thought it's different from later pistons).

(https://i.ibb.co/1LyZGBK/IMG-0427.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZV4dzvK)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on March 29, 2021, 11:09:26 AM
I applaud the photos in this thread. Every single base is covered. Bottom pinned stock ferrules are so naughty. :)

I would like to challenge anyone to actually use their natural script when electro penciling. Using a pointy vibrating tool on a rounded surface is akin to what legally constitutes a valid signature on a ballot. If this is some kind of abrasion meant to mislead, I am not moved. I also clap for the noticing of the differences of early pistons...something I certainly noticed, but assumed everybody knew already.

Off the top of my head, I fail to recall the gun you have already left to me in your SKS-Files will, but I don't forget a potential SKS down the pipe. Whatever that gun was, if you could revise your will to upgrade to this one...I don't think I would mind, and promise your memory would last as long as mine does.  chuckles1

Now I have to go look at a few SKSs built using Canadian parts...checking for my safety groove's polarity. :P

It is wonderful seeing a board member transaction where a pig poker becomes a collectible and we get another glimpse at one of these neato versions of our favorite gun.  thumb1

Thanks JH   :)

I'll change the will today man  thumb1 I don't know about the part in yellow, that may be a bridge too far  chuckles1
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Hotrod on March 29, 2021, 07:24:31 PM
Interesting about the gas piston. I had never noticed. My “transitional” 50 seems to be the earlier one as well.
(https://i.ibb.co/FD5zVDv/A4-AA32-DC-013-D-428-A-BA65-0447-BE1-E0-ED5.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x716H7v)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Cz315 on April 02, 2021, 03:20:36 PM
Here is what I found with some of mine. Here I'm showing the pistons from refurb mid-50, as issued 52 and refurb Izzy 53. I assumed that the piston shape 32P found was specific to very early versions but maybe it persisted for quite some time. To quantitatively measure the curvature I took the distance between the beginning of the stem and the end of the "thick part" (see the pics for a better explanation). For both 50 and 52 I see ~3.5 mm and for the 53 I see ~6.4 mm. Also the diameter of the sea itself is different. For the '50 one it's 6.2 mm and for the other two it's 6.3 mm. Not much of a difference (although it's real one), it might be specific to that rod, who knows... Pics below.
(https://i.ibb.co/wSxzp17/IMG-9390.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hBtm2vc)

(https://i.ibb.co/t3jDNJ4/IMG-9388.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XV0tdCb)

(https://i.ibb.co/VBBLbW9/IMG-9392.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GPPdGvp)
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: pcke2000 on April 02, 2021, 04:23:10 PM
Here is what I found with some of mine. Here I'm showing the pistons from refurb mid-50, as issued 52 and refurb Izzy 53. I assumed that the piston shape 32P found was specific to very early versions but maybe it persisted for quite some time. To quantitatively measure the curvature I took the distance between the beginning of the stem and the end of the "thick part" (see the pics for a better explanation). For both 50 and 52 I see ~3.5 mm and for the 53 I see ~6.4 mm. Also the diameter of the sea itself is different. For the '50 one it's 6.2 mm and for the other two it's 6.3 mm. Not much of a difference (although it's real one), it might be specific to that rod, who knows... Pics below.


I love this, he is radioactive now!
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on April 02, 2021, 04:58:23 PM
CZ, Nice, I love data. Now give me the polynomial equations that describe those curves  rofl
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Phosphorus32 on April 02, 2021, 04:59:08 PM
Here is what I found with some of mine. Here I'm showing the pistons from refurb mid-50, as issued 52 and refurb Izzy 53. I assumed that the piston shape 32P found was specific to very early versions but maybe it persisted for quite some time. To quantitatively measure the curvature I took the distance between the beginning of the stem and the end of the "thick part" (see the pics for a better explanation). For both 50 and 52 I see ~3.5 mm and for the 53 I see ~6.4 mm. Also the diameter of the sea itself is different. For the '50 one it's 6.2 mm and for the other two it's 6.3 mm. Not much of a difference (although it's real one), it might be specific to that rod, who knows... Pics below.


I love this, he is radioactive now!

Yes, he wrote it correctly, well done!
Title: Re: 1949 Tula Redux
Post by: Matchka on July 24, 2021, 07:32:03 AM
Fascinating. From this post, and jstin2's post and replies on 'Sean's' 1949, the subtle but now apparent differences (deep in the weeds) of Russian SKS production tweaks could probably be devoted to a dedicated handbook!