I bought this letter rifle at an online auction(Canada). Pictures were limited, so I did not know too much about it. Luck ran out when I received it. Only matching numbers are on the receiver and carrier. No serial numbers on stock, piston tube and rod, cover and trigger, but trigger is scrubbed. Bolt is forced matched, but shows original numbers. Unsure where the bolt came from.
https://ibb.co/album/WsJTsx
Quote from: jstin2 on October 24, 2024, 07:57:20 PM
I bought this letter rifle at an online auction(Canada). Pictures were limited, so I did not know too much about it. Luck ran out when I received it. Only matching numbers are on the receiver and carrier. No serial numbers on stock, piston tube and rod, cover and trigger, but trigger is scrubbed. Bolt is forced matched, but shows original numbers. Unsure where the bolt came from.
https://ibb.co/album/WsJTsx
Thats a very interesting rifle. I like the blade bayo more then I do the trifolds. No factory marks, thats strange! I am sure the experts can figure it out.
Just for the record WW, jstin2 is up in Canada so things are a little different up there.
It's a shooter for sure jstin! I honestly don't think that's a bad score, it's in fine looking shape. May not be all original, but functionally, that carbine has quite a bit going for it.
That scrubbed trigger group is a late stamped group. The bolt is one that we've seen before with the 2-2A(2)XX numeration.
My thought is they were likely produced as specific replacement SKS bolts and the 2-2A(2)67 markings indicate the production shop "(2)" and year "67".
Here's a few more examples:
(https://i.ibb.co/K752SyY/6019191-bolt-2-2-A.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/J2GQV9z/A9783-bolt-2-2-A.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/h70LyWw/C0227-bolt-circle-a.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/RNNp6zw/circle-2-bolts.jpg)
Why were some rifles scrubbed? Was that some importer practice over here like some of the importers that made all of these strange variations like sporters and paratrooper versions?
The triangle 26 stamp is there but faint.
(https://i.ibb.co/t4Q7WJC/IMG-5389.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1L7Dwm2)
Quote from: jstin2 on October 25, 2024, 12:06:13 PM
The triangle 26 stamp is there but faint.
(https://i.ibb.co/t4Q7WJC/IMG-5389.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1L7Dwm2)
Well thats good, at least some of it is still there. I am still interested to know why it was scrubbed. By an importer or possibly a stolen rifle that was scrubbed and later re-serialized and resold? Just speculation but I am intrigued. I have never seen a rifles original markings scrubbed like this unless it was a scrubbed off mum on an Arisaka or a waffenampt crooked cross (insert Slayer song here rockon) on a Kar 98.
Not uncommon for an SKS to be scrubbed and reserialized by the importer, especially for Paratroopers. Often only the receiver is the only numbered part. PAX