Letter gun laminate vs hardwood...

[Boris Badinov]

Am I mistaken?

I've been under the impression that laminate stocks were standard issue on 1957 and 1958 carbines.

But the Russian Letter Gun sticky has a photo of a 1957  "i" in a hardwood stock and described as a "non refurb".

Is a 1957 hardwood just an anomalous unicorn? Or would a hardwood stock indicate replacement on a 1957 or 1958 carbine?

Thanks!