I've had this for about 30 years if my mermory serves me right and now is when I'm taking the time to catalog it.
This rifle is in great shape for the exception of some storage dings to the stock.
It's a CDI import with the "hated" CCCP laser engraved official serialization. The top cover depicts 1954r Izhevsk Arsenal, definitely a refurbished unit and possibly more than once.
I bought it at a gun show for $99. Came with sling, field kit and a steel oil/solvent bottle.
I've collected some info but I'm sure there's more out there than what I've gathered so far.
I'm also open for any corrections as well since I'very added some assumptions as well ( in yellow )
Arsenal Serialization
"Л 748 A" (L748A) Stamped on:
> Receiver, L. side.
> Buttstock, L. side.
> Top cover, rear.
> Trigger guard, outside, bottom.
> Magazine cover, outside, bottom.
> Bolt carrier, top, front.
> Bolt, L. side.
Electro penciled on:
> Gas tube, R. side.
> Ejector, outside.
> Piston, rod.
Proof & Inspectors' Markings
> Buttstock, faint 1st. GRAU Arsenal in Balakleya R. side (see pic. S1).
> Buttstock, inpectors' markings top side (see pic. S2).
> Buttstock, previous serialization, poss. refurb. twice (see pic. S3).
> Stock, "Г" (G) L. side (see pic. S4).
> Top Cover (see pic. C1) Izhevsk Arsenal, 1954r (items 1 & 2). Poss. Refurbished twice, "БD" ABV Turkestan Military District in Solnechny (item 3) and poss. 5th. GRAU Arsenal in Alatyr (item 4).
> Barrel Lug, serialization H5507 (N5507) L. side covered by stock (see pic. BL1).
> Rear sight, Tula Arsenal (star) & Inspectors' markings (see pic. S5).
There are several things that I'm puzzled on, like the barrel lug not matching the rest of the Arsenal's numbers and the Tula star on the rear ladder sight.
I can only assume that these were mismatched parts from the refurbishing process and what year and where was the last refurb.
(http://i.imgur.com/GWWnPhu.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oULVfqW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5plZfSp.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/c9bZfjR.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/gallery/39KQ3)
(http://i.imgur.com/vEbTTd1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fQ06EFS.jpg)
I've got more pics from other markings but I think they're mostly inspectors' markings.
Look foreward to the pics. It sounds like a nice one! thumb1
What photo hosting are you going with?
The barrel lug is not a serial number... Its a batch/lot/heat number and isn't supposed to match. The Tula star on the sight ladder is a likely replacement from during the refurb. Heck.... A refurb can actually be any year or arsenal because you CANNOT go off what the cover says as they liked to scub and reserialize the covers to match. So... It 'may' not even be an Izzy. Post a pic of the serial on the receiver and RM may be able to tell if it is or not.
Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on July 02, 2017, 01:11:38 PM
What photo hosting are you going with?
The barrel lug is not a serial number... Its a batch/lot/heat number and isn't supposed to match. The Tula star on the sight ladder is a likely replacement from during the refurb. Heck.... A refurb can actually be any year or arsenal because you CANNOT go off what the cover says as they liked to scub and reserialize the covers to match. So... It 'may' not even be an Izzy. Post a pic of the serial on the receiver and RM may be able to tell if it is or not.
I decided to go for now just for this post with "Imgur" still looking for one that's free, allows 3rd. party sharing and allows folder sorting. Maybe I'm expecting too much.. nea1
As for the Barrel Lug, I guess that's good and not really bummed on the rear sight...
... and without pictures, you're good.... clap1
Pictures are up now... let me know if something else comes to light...
(http://i.imgur.com/lNdLTe9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sODPoDh.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7iIhidb.jpg)
Nice! thumb1 Amazing that these were $99 rifles once upon a time.
It is an Izhevsk since Tula only used the suffix letters Д, И, К in 1956, 57, 58, and your rifle's suffix is А, but we can't say for certain whether or not it is a 1954 or 1953 Izhevsk since an authenticated, as-issued, example with that letter combination isn't in the SN database.
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on July 02, 2017, 03:52:06 PM
Nice! thumb1 Amazing that these were $99 rifles once upon a time.
It is an Izhevsk since Tula only used the suffix letters Д, И, К in 1956, 57, 58, and your rifle's suffix is А, but we can't say for certain whether or not it is a 1954 or 1953 Izhevsk since an authenticated, as-issued, example with that letter combination isn't in the SN database.
Timing is everything when it comes to Milsurp. I can definitely say this one was one of my good deals for sure.
Can't beat the price vs. owning a piece of the past.
I was young and not really into collecting back then. I guess this is one way of starting.
I did make a common mistake with this SKS.
Originally this unit came with a blued bayo & bolt carrier. Back then my best friend (which actually acquired one as well ) thought a polished bolt carrier & bayo was cooler....
Along with my good fortune on deals I've acquired a Russian captured Mossin & a 1909 Argentine Mauser carbine.