Russian Serial Numbers

[Phosphorus32]

OK, I am real confused Mine has two letters before the serial number backwards 'N' then a thing that looks like an 'A' without the crossbar or possibly a small 'n' SN after these is 1406

Two letter prefixes, such as your ИЛ (transliterated from Cyrillic as IL) are the normal letter blocks. The only "letter guns" are the 1956-58 ДИК  (D, I, K) suffix guns from Tula.

[running-man]

OK, I am real confused Mine has two letters before the serial number backwards 'N' then a thing that looks like an 'A' without the crossbar or possibly a small 'n' SN after these is 1406

Welcome to the SKS-Files.  Based on the photo and that S/N compared to the somewhat limited information I have in the database, I would guess that your carbine was built in 1954.

The only ИЛ prefixed carbines I have are '51 and '54.  Seeing how your carbine does not have the early tall flat on the receiver round that a '51 would have, '54 appears to be the default option. 

Here is a nice as-issued carbine about 1200 units away:

[protank123@msn.com]

thank ypu for the info. I thought it was a 1957. Mine has no other markings, no marking at all on the dust cover nor does it have the little star on the side of the receiver. It has a scope mount on it now but came with the original dust cover. Thanks, Great site/ I have two chinese a Yugo and a Romanian. Love those old SKS's




drake high quality pictures