1950 Tula refurb questions.

[Duffarmy]

Just traded for this Russian sks. I've always heard they were the best, not sure if that's true.I have owned a type 56 for a few years(just posted about it) so that's the extent of my sks knowledge. I've read a lot of post but can't quite find my answers. Based on what I've read thus far I have a 1950 tula arsenal refurbished rifle. It has the BBQ paint and 45deg gas block.  All numbers match except for the stock and it does have the spring loaded firing pin. No eyelet take down lever but does have the tab on the gas tube take down lever, not the bullet hole. What i have read says that the original rifles had spike bayos that were blue then they quickly changed to blued blades then finally the chrome finish blades. I'm confused because my rifle has a spike, but it's chrome? The stock has zero marks whatsoever but looks like it is made for a spike. Is this correct or were these added by someone later on? Doesn't look like this was shot much everything is really tight, zero play in the gas tube. Is this anything rare or can I enjoy this as a shooter? Also i don't believe the bore is chrome. Thanks in advance!
































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[Bacarnal]

I'm no Russian SKS Expert by any stretch,  but from what I see on yours is this:
1.  The stock ferrule is cut for a blade.
2.  The wood grain on yours looks possibly ChiCom, but I'm not 100% certain.  You'd have to remove the butt plate to see if there are any lightening holes drilled.
3.  It looks like they used the earlier bolt and carrier.
Others more versed on Russian SKS's will be here shortly.  It does look like a nice weapon.  Cheers, Bruce.

[Phosphorus32]

Welcome!  The SKS-45 is the original so it's nice to have one for sure.

Someone has placed it in a Chinese replacement stock inletted for a spike bayonet and also added the Chinese spike bayonet. It appears that the rear sight leaf is also a non-Russian replacement part. I would guessed that at one point it was placed in an aftermarket stock with perhaps a rear sight base scope mount and LER scope. Later someone rescued it from it's atypical configuration using more readily available Chinese parts.

You can certainly enjoy it as a shooter. You could consider looking for a Russian stock and blade bayonet but that is going to end up being in the neighborhood of $150 to replace those parts with a partial recoupment from the stock/handguard/bayonet you currently have.

[running-man]

Ask 10 people what SKS is best and you'll get ten different answers, but many collectors certainly have a soft spot for the SKS45. 

I have ЗМ prefixed guns in the database from 1950, 1952, and 1954.  This is clearly not a '54 with all the early features.  We can also rule out it being a '52 based on the non-lightened, square-eared bayo lug ('52 was a transition year, but the other '52 ЗМ guns had square eared lightening cut lugs on them).  So '50 it is, just like the cover says, which is actually not as common as you'd think since receiver covers were regularly swapped out at refurb. 

I'm surprised that the bayonet doesn't sag as the collar on a spike bayo generally has angled lips on it.  Usually mixing the two types doesn't lead to good fits.  Fitment is also typically an issue on a spike bayo Chinese stock an a long lug Russian barreled receiver.  The side swivel is the dead giveaway on this stock, Russian SKS45s never had side swivels in any years of production.  You might pull the stock and see what they had to do to the front crossbolt to make it fit this gun.  Oftentimes bubba will take a dremel to that crossbolt and go to town. 

The finish on the rear sight leaf is interesting.  I actually think that it is a Russian sight leaf with the triangle T inspection stamp I see on in and the grey parkerized style finish.  That rough grey is what some components that have been stripped of their black paint look like. 

Whether to try to get it back to 'original' condition is up to you.  P32 is right on with his prices.  This gun is never going to be a high dollar collectable, but sometimes people just want to return something that Bubba worked on back to its original condition.  Either way, enjoy it, looks like a good shooter! 

[Larry D.]

Any way you cut it.......you got a Ruskie!
Sorta bubbafied, but you got an SKS that a lot of guys want.

I'd be good with it, but I'd be on the hunt for matching parts if it were mine.

[Duffarmy]

Thanks to all for the replies! I didn't think the stock was Russian, or at least made for my rifle. running-man, dead on about the bayonet, it would sag down when the rifle was held in normal firing position, so I just really tightend the screw 😑. Now that I've confirmed it I will definitely look for an original stock and bayonet! That side mounted swivel was a horrible idea! Kills my cheek weld... Thanks again all, I'll let you know if I find what I'm looking for.

[Justin Hell]

When looking for a bayonet, you are going to need to get a straight collar bayonet handle....they are pretty tough to find. Your best bet and price would likely be from Canada.  Later Russians would have the same type of collar you already have, which is the source of the sag.