1956 Letter Д

[Phosphorus32]

I filled the last hole* in my Russian SKS-45 collection from a GunBroker auction a couple of weeks ago and it arrived this week. It's a nice light refurb, or local unit maintenance example, as it has no refurbishment arsenal markings. It has a replacement gas piston with old numbers as well as the new matching number. The stamped numbers appear to be original matching to my eyes.

* Well, I've never seen a complete 1948, only a receiver cover, so I'm not holding my breath on getting one of those unobtanium examples.

Off topic: I had two work trips requiring air travel in the last two weeks, which kept me out of pocket for most of the last two weeks, after 25 months without any work travel. It turns out that I really didn't miss travel at all Admittedly, it was really good to see some work colleagues face-to-face after two years.

[Bob_The_Student]

That's a damn nice '56, Jon. 

[Matchka]

VERY NICE!

[High Noon]

Wow - she's really nice!  Bet she is a great shooter too.

Great pics.  I think you've taken a few rifle pics before.....

I'm still not good at seeing all of the refurb variations in Russian SKSs.

[Phosphorus32]

That's a damn nice '56, Jon. 

Thanks Bob! I love a good Russian Red stock (even if this one is a bit flaky).

[Phosphorus32]

VERY NICE!

Thanks Matchka!

[Phosphorus32]

Wow - she's really nice!  Bet she is a great shooter too.

Great pics.  I think you've taken a few rifle pics before.....

I'm still not good at seeing all of the refurb variations in Russian SKSs.

Thanks HN! I haven’t shot it, but wouldn’t hesitate to put it in the rotation. Had the ‘52 out yesterday. I have shot a few rifle pics and have a routine 


This is the best source of information on refurbishment arsenal markings. You can move down about 3/4 of a page for markings that could appear on an SKS-45.

https://www.m9130.info/repair-depot-markings

[Boris Badinov]

Wowzers!

Issued perhaps, but I'd have a hard time arguing that it shows any signs if use. Other than the stock being refinshed, I'm not even sure I would call it even a "light" refurb.

Nice catch, Phoz!

[Phosphorus32]

Wowzers!

Issued perhaps, but I'd have a hard time arguing that it shows any signs if use. Other than the stock being refinshed, I'm not even sure I would call it even a "light" refurb.

Nice catch, Phoz!

Thanks BB! Good to have the twelfth Russian slot filled and this was a nice one to complete the series.

[pcke2000]

I filled the last hole* in my Russian SKS-45 collection from a GunBroker auction a couple of weeks ago and it arrived this week. It's a nice light refurb, or local unit maintenance example, as it has no refurbishment arsenal markings. It has a replacement gas piston with old numbers as well as the new matching number. The stamped numbers appear to be original matching to my eyes.

* Well, I've never seen a complete 1948, only a receiver cover, so I'm not holding my breath on getting one of those unobtanium examples.

Sir, congratulations! It's such a beautiful D letter gun!

BTW, don't forget to find a 1946 SKS to complete your collection because you have seen a 1946 receiver cover, lol !

Anyway congratulations again!

[Phosphorus32]

I filled the last hole* in my Russian SKS-45 collection from a GunBroker auction a couple of weeks ago and it arrived this week. It's a nice light refurb, or local unit maintenance example, as it has no refurbishment arsenal markings. It has a replacement gas piston with old numbers as well as the new matching number. The stamped numbers appear to be original matching to my eyes.

* Well, I've never seen a complete 1948, only a receiver cover, so I'm not holding my breath on getting one of those unobtanium examples.

Sir, congratulations! It's such a beautiful D letter gun!

BTW, don't forget to find a 1946 SKS to complete your collection because you have seen a 1946 receiver cover, lol !

Anyway congratulations again!

Thanks again!

Yes, I’ll get working on the prototype and trials collection now. If only Russian museums were selling their collections 

[Direct Connection]

The Russian who one day a long long time ago blended the shellac to get that amber red on that wood was a dam* genius. Beautiful addiction you have there P32.

There's nothing prettier then a dark deep Russian Red SkS !

[Phosphorus32]

The Russian who one day a long long time ago blended the shellac to get that amber red on that wood was a dam* genius. Beautiful addiction you have there P32.

There's nothing prettier then a dark deep Russian Red SkS !

Thanks DC!  Definitely a distinctive and beautiful color, Russian Red!

[BMont]

Ok when you get done with the "Non refurb sks magnet" please send it my way.  Nice rifle to complete a very nice collection Im sure.

[Phosphorus32]

Ok when you get done with the "Non refurb sks magnet" please send it my way.  Nice rifle to complete a very nice collection Im sure.

Thanks! It's not a perfect example but I'm not complaining at all 

[High Noon]

Wow - she's really nice!  Bet she is a great shooter too.

Great pics.  I think you've taken a few rifle pics before.....

I'm still not good at seeing all of the refurb variations in Russian SKSs.

Thanks HN! I haven’t shot it, but wouldn’t hesitate to put it in the rotation. Had the ‘52 out yesterday. I have shot a few rifle pics and have a routine 


This is the best source of information on refurbishment arsenal markings. You can move down about 3/4 of a page for markings that could appear on an SKS-44.

https://www.m9130.info/repair-depot-markings

Great source of info...thanks for sharing!

[1mlt]

NS, very nice. How many do you have now?

[Phosphorus32]

NS, very nice. How many do you have now?

Thanks!

Russian SKS-45s: 1949-1958 Tulas and 1953-54 Izhevsks, so all 12. Plus 2 more in Polish honor guard stocks; a ’54 Izhevsk and a ‘57 Tula. The Tula is for sale on GB.