54 tula questions

[Taba]

I have a 1954r Tula with no star and a BH#### sn. what might the BH stand for? maybe 315,#### right?

[Phosphorus32]

I have a 1954r Tula with no star and a BH#### sn. what might the BH stand for? maybe 315,#### right?

The "BH" is Cyrillic transliterated as VN. The г after your 1954 is actually a lower case Cyrillic g for goda, or year.
The "Letter Series" Russians were produced by Tula after 1955 and the letter after the number was Д, И or К for 1956, 57 and 58 respectively. So far any specific meaning to the two letters preceding the numerals of the serial number has eluded us.

Do you have any pictures of your Russian?  You say it's a '54 but it doesn't have a star on the receiver cover? Please start a thread on it or add pics to your mag question thread.

[Taba]

so I see it like this VN=SN# and r=g=year made. translates to SN# XXXX made in 1954 Tula factory. at least it's still a Russian

[Phosphorus32]

so I see it like this VN=SN# and r=g=year made. translates to SN# XXXX made in 1954 Tula factory. at least it's still a Russian

The prefix letters vary and are a part of the serial number (they do not literally translate as "serial number"). Some prefer to call the letters the "series" and the numerals the "serial number".  I'm just trying to figure out what part of the rifle says 1954 on yours, the receiver cover, the stock, or both, that's why pics would be helpful. Is the receiver cover blank except for the SN on the back or is it just missing the Tula Star?

[Taba]

ok i'm new to the photo thing. so all #'s match the back receiver has BH and ####'s under, and on top goes like this repair diamond, Tula star with arrow, then 1954r. 1954r is also on left side of stock on the butt. it goes like this light circle with maybe 35, next much lighter 1954r, then deep X'ed out SN#'s then BH####. there is not a thing on the right side. the star I can make out is the Tula, and if any are around they must be the small die stamp. I have look it up and down and there are many stamps I cant really read so some might be a star. by the way thanks for helping

[Phosphorus32]

I have a 1954r Tula with no star and a BH#### sn. what might the BH stand for? maybe 315,#### right?

Okay, a refurbished '54 in an arsenal force-matched stock. I was thrown off by the "no star" statement earlier.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Topic split to new thread.

[Taba]

ok look like minor wear after refurbish only bad blueing is around front sling connect. had very minor service rust came off the simple green. shellac is worn-down. might put a new coat of shellac on it. I was just trying to confirm that it was a Russian. I knew it was never a Chinese, and the only Chinese I would want to keep would be a Sino Soviet.   

[Loose}{Cannon]

A sino... Sweet!     Which year?   

[Taba]

sorry what I have is 1954r Tula. Sino Soviets didn't come out till '56. just said that the only Chinese sks that I would want is a Sino Soviet. I'll take any good Russians any day. Would like an East German just for rarity.

[Loose}{Cannon]

I read what you typed...  Was wondering what year sino you like? 

[Taba]

the earliest as possible so long as it was made, over seen, or inspected by the soviets.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Ah...  Welp, there are about 6 different versions of early chinese that can be referred to as a 'sino soviet' going right up to 1960, but nobody knows when the soviets left china on their own so I guess you will have to find a Soviet Sino rather then a Sino Soviet just to be sure.   

[Taba]

lol Soviet Sino/Sino Soviet crap it's all so confusing i'll just stay around the '53-'60 era. thanks

[Greasemonkey]

I'll take any good Russians any day. Would like an East German just for rarity.

Well get the best of both worlds, Russian and rarity, I mean there is only 8 known, go find a Soviet Sino.