So, I picked up this SKS and with the sea of information online I can’t sort out what the deal is with this rifle. Only thing for sure I can tell is that it’s got the square with the slash land that the serial number is YB1795. The “YB” is in Cyrillic letters
I’ll come back and add pictures once I’ve figured out how to upload them
(Edit: https://imgur.com/a/r5XgPm2)
Any help would be appreciated
(https://i.ibb.co/27YTGK0G/IMG-8083.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3yYngh5g)
(https://i.ibb.co/svZNprxL/IMG-8082.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fYsyV76m)
(https://i.ibb.co/1fX54fPr/IMG-8088.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3yFqPyjp)
(https://i.ibb.co/60QWnYJZ/IMG-8091.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TMygvcqT)
(https://i.ibb.co/ynkcJ1Yt/IMG-8093.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gMWLCpPN)
(https://i.ibb.co/j9yw6gNb/IMG-8090.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DP9MV5Jz)
(https://i.ibb.co/Qj8g05yH/IMG-8087.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zH8Mdkq2)
A refurbished Russian SKS, but I'm guessing that's not the answer you're looking for.
In order to upload images, I have an imgbb account, and often upload photos to imgbb from my computer when I want to post a large number of photos in order.
For 1 to a few pics, I just click the "Upload image to post" link in yellow below the text box and select images from my computer files.
Thanks! Uploaded the photos and also glad to know it’s Russian at the very least. I don’t know anything about the SKS. I’m a hunter and I know *my* guns but I’ve had them forever and this thing is brand new. Not even sure what I’ll use it for to be honest besides plinking.
Its a heavy refurb, The Diamond stamp on the right side of the receiver identifies it as a MOLOT rework. There should be more MOLOT stamps on top of the barrel (under the handguard).
More images will help. But the receiver profile indicates 1952 or earlier production. And the shape of the tab on the receiver take-down lever indicates 1950 or later.
I think a safe date range guess, without more photos, is mid-1950 to mid 1952.
Post photo of:
- the top side of the bolt and underside of the bolt carrier. ( if it's the early, type1 bolt and carrier pair, it's a 1950 carbine.)
If it's a type2 bolt design photos of these may help to further narrow year of production:
- the gas port/gas block (90°, 45°, or curved?)
- bayonet lug
- muzzle crown
This is the early, Type1 Bolt and Carrier profile. Bolt has a spring loaded firing pin:
(https://i.ibb.co/kS1hDfp/sks45-1950-bolt-and-carrirer.jpg)
УB is not a common prefix seen here in the US. I have one other carbine that has no spring loaded firing pin and the late style retaining pin with the large head which would put it ~1951 or early to mid '52, but the jury is still out on definitively qualifying it until I can get more specimens in the data:
(https://i.ibb.co/8nb3j2TK/B1396-receiver.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/wNrD3MY0/B1396-bolt-carrier.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/1JhVKmRJ/B1396-bolt.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/LzvfCmBP/B1396-left-center2.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/sJ2zYHxN/B1396-left-whole.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/GQyd9H92/B1396-receiver-cover.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/WWjqVwty/B1396-right-whole.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/xtRFwcDR/B1396-stock.jpg)
Highest specimen in this prefix with simikar features is УB4251 but I only have a single photo of that one.
(https://i.ibb.co/84jbHpSM/B4251-receiver.jpg)
Yours likely belongs to this same group. thumb1
RM-
For УB 1398 I do not see a machined barrel step at the rear of the front sight block. The machined step appeared in early 1950. The cover font also appears to match the receiver?
If it is a 1950, this would be the first I time that I can recall seeing type2 bolt and carrier machining profiles on 1950 carbine.
Headscratcher for sure. think1
'49 without and '53 with machined step (from yooper's site):
(https://i.ibb.co/6BnKM4g/Screenshot-20200713-114748-Chrome.jpg)
Yeah, it's hard with only one or two specimens to come to much of a conclusion. The recover cover (if indeed it is original to that particular carbine) is a mid to late 50 as well as it is roll stamped and not hand drawn like the 49's and transitional 50's were.
With a heavy refurb such as that with unknown pedigree who knows.
OP,
What's your barrel look like under the front sight block?