Legitimate 1950 ? Calling all experts

[Justin Hell]

Might I ask what in particular makes the 1950's more or less collectable? I have two, both the earlier and later Tula versions. Thanks

A lot of transitional design changes happened in later 49 and throughout 50....gas blocks went from 90 degrees to 45 degrees, several different takedown latches throughout 50, spike to blade bayonet change, the gas piston lever has a flap, and the coveted spring loaded bolts are also something phased out later.  Early 50s retain the hand struck stampings on the receiver cover....which also had a different sized hole for the retaining pin...

Lots of interesting features that go away in later, and more common Russians.

[Boris Badinov]

A 1950 sks45 that bears all the hallmarks attributed to original manufacture is one of the hardest of the Soviet guns to find.

Plenty of 1950's out there, but the vast vast majority of them bear indications of refurbishment.