Were rifles acquired by Poland from Russia from either manufacturer and of any date, or were they from a specific production run to satisfy a contract? I've gone through my collection of photographs, and none are clear enough to reveal receiver cover markings (or lack thereof). Thanks!
Interesting question. I doubt that anyone has a definitive answer. My guess would be that they are mixed dates and manufacturers from the Soviet’s stores of refurbished Type-45s rather than pulled in a block new off the line for a Warsaw Bloc ally that they didn’t like very much (historically speaking).
My guess is that they are the same as the "Hungarian" sks.
Soviet manufacture from various years.
The source for info on the Hungarian 45's isca member of several of the sks forums. His claim is that many if the barrels were replaced, and that the replacement barrels bear the FEG stamp. With soviet arsenal and serial standings left intact
Hmm...been away for awhile, but I've got to admit that's the first I've heard of purported Hungarian-used SKS rifles. I'll search for it here, but any other recommended sources/discussions? Very cool!
same interesting question can be applied to Russian made SKS supplied to and used by East Germany. Any special markings? (of course not the '1 in triangle'.
Well, to divert from my own topic, I did find this on the Hungarian question (with commentary from fellow members here):
https://www.gunboards.com/threads/russian-hungarian-sks.1111529/
I'll keep digging on the Polish usage. Got a couple of stock sets that I grabbed from however long ago when they seemed to be plentiful that need to be completed for representative examples.
Years ago when I was researching various off sprout models, I found a small article and what I remember... Poland received a few hundred SKSs from Russia, I know the side of the receiver has an oval 11, and their own serial method. A fairly light wood laminated stock was made internally by Poland, and a blade bayonet, no fancy use of chrome. The prime use for them was simply a ceremonial use weapon, not a main weapon or back up.
Probably doesn't help much, but I still have 3 photos I found during that time of research, I have several nations and their Honor Guard using SKSs.. again far as I know, Poland used them for as ceremonial purpose only.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/uvmwgp2a3cyxrqw/1%2AMxWi3o8dyA38EU0faQ41lA.jpeg?dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/x790m248ligh3vq/8d089b7_zps01fd9461.jpg?dl=0)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/su0illx3h7h6off/d548eded6a86d615550f6a706700cdf2.jpg?dl=0)
Given Russia and Poland were aligned in the Warsaw pact, tightly at one time, it may have been alot like China and the "Soviet-Sino, Russia could have given Poland a few hundred sterile receiver assemblies just for the purpose of ceremonies. It's not like Poland couldn't manufacture their own weaponry, they were making AKs as early as 1959/60, the PMK, and many others like the SVD, PK and the DShK.
Great photos, Greasemonkey! The first image is clear enough (I think) to indicate that the receiver covers were not marked with Izhevsk or Tula arsenal stamps. I wonder if Poland scrubbed the covers, or most of the rifles were late production without a stamp.
My guess would be late made Russians, or just basic assembled left over parts.