Interesting '51 receiver cover stamp

[Bunker]

Just to be clear, so please bare with me.  The proof indicates the weapon was test fired in a "Russian factory" and then the stamp or stamps were applied?  If that's the case we are not talking about just shipping receivers and barrels but actually test firing the weapon in a "Russian factory".  I guess the counter could possibly be they had Russian personnel in country during the initial start-up and Russian stamps were applied early on.  Sorry if I'm asking questions that have been asked and answered already.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Pretty much.  But the (k) is on all years of Romanian so it doesn't seem like a 'startup' scenario.  I also remember the (k) being on later Chinese circa 12m. 

[Bunker]

Thanks...doesn't make sense to me but a lot of this is like a giant puzzle anyway.  Without knowing much about that particular marking, I would really question whether it is in fact a Russian marking but it sounds like you guys have already been down that road.  And if it is a Russian marking, is the K markings even related to test firing during this period.  I know the circle Y is for sure but can't speak to the K marking.  We do know a lot of the early Russian markings are not applicable to later weapons. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

The circle y, o, and k are all on the barrel lugs...  I dont imagine the definition of said stamps changing, and their location is consistent with their apparent meaning.

I also dont see why a barrel or barreled receiver cannot be tested without being apart of a complete assembly...  Just food for though.

[Loose}{Cannon]

The T53 components may have been assembled in China, but there is evidence they were using Russian made barrels/receivers/bolts etc.

[Bunker]

That part I've dug into fairly deep and I'm in complete agreement but never really took a deep dive on the o and k markings...only the circle y marking.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Early chinese....

[Loose}{Cannon]

Here is GMs old pic of several Romanians.....  Note, the (k) is also stamped on the receivers. 

[Bunker]

Ivan must have worked many factories through out his career. See what you started 

Excuse my ignorance but what is unusual about this stigma?  Looks to me like a 622 brand that was used during this period.

[Bunker]

Here is GMs old pic of several Romanians.....  Note, the (k) is also stamped on the receivers. 

Would you happen to have a Russian SKS Circle K marking for comparison with the Romy?  I did a quick side by side comparison from the 7.62x54r site (http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinMarks01.htm) and the Romanian you posted.   They are different but possibly the marking changed since the Nagant or it's a different marking?

Also, took a look at the Chinese Circle K example and that appears different than the Romanian but neither looks exactly like the Nagant example.  The Chinese right upper line is straight, while the lower is rounded, whereas the Romy lines are all straight.  The Nagant example exhibits curved upper and lower lines that meet exactly in the middle with perfect symmetry.

[Loose}{Cannon]

And the mosin dont match the documents perfectly.  I wouldn't expect them to spanning this time gap etc, and it wouldnt change the meaning of the stamp.   A circle K is a circle K my friend.

[Greasemonkey]

Those is some pretty Rommys 

1950 Russian  SKS



1941 Tula SVT40



Chinese Factory /296\ and /26\ Type 53 Mosin






1943 Izhevsk M91/30



1935 Izhevsk M91/30  XO-47




Sure the (K) stamps changed, look at the difference between the 1935 and 1943, 1935 is rounded like Bunkers photo, but the 1943 is straight... so you can't point the finger at the country stamping when the change was seen internal in Russia as well..

[Bunker]

I looked through a bunch of my AK pics and the Circle K and Circle O markings are on the receiver.  Here are a few reference pics of Russian AKs and an AKM, and I've seen them on 74s as well.

Type 1:


Type 2s:


Type 3:


AKM:


I looked at all of the Chinese Type 56 Assault Rifle examples I have (100s) and couldn't find those markings but have several early examples that have Russian parts.  Maybe some have that marking but I don't have any examples.

This one is an interesting example.  It's an early Hungarian AK-55 with what appears to be a Circle K marking on the receiver.  Looks like a smaller diameter circle but certainly a K.  Is this the same marking we are talking about?  Just a thought that possibly some other countries used this marking or a very similar one to represent the same thing?  I understand how it could end up on the Chinese SKS but the Romanian SKS and this one (if it's a Circle K marking) is puzzling to me.

[Loose}{Cannon]

I dont see a (k) on that last pictured gun Bunker.. 

Puzzles me also..  I see 50/50 chances they were made by russia, or they just so happen to adopt it from the russians. 

[Dannyboy53]

I dont see a (k) on that last pictured gun Bunker..

Directly in front of the charging handle.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Too blurry etc...  I see a (H) for Pete's sake.   

[Loose}{Cannon]

[Bunker]

I blew up the original and I believe you are correct...looks like an 'H' to me too.  Any idea what the Russian Circle 'O' marking represents?  Also, are you aware of any Russian SKSs with an 'E' marking on the barrel since we're discussing markings?  Thanks!

[Loose}{Cannon]

54rnet says...   

Concentric "00"
Accuracy proof
Barrel shank

Im still on the fence as to the exact meaning of this stamp.  'Concentric' to me sound like the barrel or bore passed a 'concentric' test of some sort. 

[Greasemonkey]

And the same (o) stamp is found on a Romanian M1969 .22lr trainer barrel