Legitimate 1950 ? Calling all experts

[gre727]

First post after lurking for awhile, trying to learn about the SKS.  I have  2.  This Russian, and a Yugo.  So, my first question is, does this Russian appear to be an unmolested 1950?







More pics coming

[gre727]

Some more...










Stil more...

[gre727]

And more...

[gre727]

More...

[Shoot The Refurbs]

Preface: not an expert, merely a student. (Hi Bob.)   

Define legitimate 1950...?
If you're asking if the gun is original and un-refurbished then no. The stock shows a darker sanded down tula star and year mark of 1951, a dead giveaway that certainly were added post 1950. Not to mention the 2 repair pins on the right side of the lower handguard.
Is it a matching 1950 refurb? From the pics I can see so far, yes. Nice score! hope you didn't pay covid pricing, but 50's are neat.
Not sure if that answers what your after or not.

Curious, is your firing pin spring loaded?

-STR

[gre727]

Yes, spring loaded firing pin.  Looking for the "features " you mentioned.  Thanks

[Bob_The_Student]

Nice looking '50. But as STR has pointed out your stock has been sanded and refinished. Although likely at an arsenal. Some pros will be by soon to correct me. 

[Boris Badinov]

The stock is a 1951 replacement.

But the rest of the rifle  bears all the features of  1950 production

[Justin Hell]

I would be a little hesitant being sure what it is entirely, the machining for the cover seems as if it isn't from it's original receiver....but it likely IS a 50 with all the features it shows....I just don't think that cover is original to the gun. 49/50 guns share a similar perdicament, the receiver cover. During even light refurbishment they would get swapped around in general by Russia, but the early guns are a bit of a special case due to the smaller cover latch hole.

I would lean towards calling this a light refurb, due to it retaining its bluing vs. being spray painted like a used grill. The stock replacement would also be a very common thing to happen.... and par for the course enough to not let it be a reason to not love the gun.

I really want a later 50 like this for my collection, because this is about as as good as it gets with the early Russians.  if I were to find it...this would be the end of a search for something that is not likely to find....a truly unmolested 50...which I don't expect to live long enough to fondle personally.

My wife and I found two 4 leaf clovers earlier this year within ten seconds of not looking for them. That stands up with the likelihood of finding an perfect 50.  Its not quite perfect, but it's about as close as you will ever find.
You have a purty rad SKS. Congrats!

[Shoot The Refurbs]

First rifle I ever bought when I turned 18 with my first paycheck I earned as a dishwasher was a 1950 refurb'd Russian SKS. 
Mine was more heavily refurbed, bearing a laminate upper handguard and a bbq bolt, but was still proud as heck of her.
Keep in mind the early ones like that don't have chrome lined bores though, so if you plan to shoot her and you use corrosive ammo make extra sure to clean her up nice. 

[gre727]

To all

Thanks for the critiques/comments.  She came in the original importer's box with the usual accessories.  Not a Covid buy, had her for awhile.

Stay safe.

[jstin2]

On page 4 near the bottom of page, I have a post -1950 Transitions. Yours is similar to item #7. I have to agree about stock being replaced, but rest of rifle looks good.  Here is pictures of #7.
https://ibb.co/album/gw3bka

[owenj492]

Definitely a beautiful rifle, congrats!   

[running-man]

Very likely a true '50 OP.  It's a nice light refurb.

Others with the same prefix in the database:


I don't have great photos of the 3055 gun, but the other two match yours quite well.

[gre727]

OwenJ492
Thanks.  I like it. 


Running-man

Thanks for that.  I feel like a marooone missing the cover vs stock dates...duh !        Obviously, you can add this one to your data base.  If you need any additional pics or clarifications, let me know.  It does have only the one stock repair pin.  What looks like a second (upper) pin in the 1st picture is just a reflection.

[Boris Badinov]

It does have only the one stock repair pin.  What looks like a second (upper) in the 1st picture is just a dark spot in the wood.

You'll be happy to know that that pin in the stock fore end is not a repair pin.

Its original production-- it reinforces the stock at the bayonet channel to help prevent splitting.

Nice '50 btw

[Shoot The Refurbs]

  It does have only the one stock repair pin.  What looks like a second (upper) in the 1st picture is just a dark spot in the wood.

Is it not? that'd be my mistake. It does look awfully like some pins that I've seen, and the location next to the regular reinforcement pin led me to believe that's what my eyes were telling me.

[gre727]

So NOT a repair pin ?  Thanks BB.  Looking at the picture of running-man's (#7) I can see the pin on the left side of the rifle, in about the same position. 

All...

Shoot or not?

[Boris Badinov]

Shoot. Yes.

Get it zeroed at the very least.

Clean very well afterwards.

[100Acre]

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