I THINK THIS IS AN UNISSUED AND UNMOLESTED TULA. PLEASE TELL ME IF I'M WRONG.

[Cupid]

i bought this rifle 14 years ago in Home Hardware Yorkton Sask

[Boris Badinov]

Possibly unissued. Given the apparently extreme high overall condition.


However, there is no evidence that the golden bayonet is an original trait. In fact, the evidence would suggest that the golden bayonet is post production application for protection against corrosion during long term storage.

IMHO, a pristine finish on a 70 year old hardwood stock is an indication of refinish. Especially when we take into account all the evidence we have that the Soviets had a  very organized system for upkeep and maintenance for the sks45

Is there an EP serial number on the butt plate?

[Cupid]

Is there an EP serial number on the butt plate?

Yes

[Phosphorus32]

Russians are very hard to assign definitive "as-issued" status. The juries out on the golden bayonets. The stamps around the cross bolt that used to be cited as a sign of as-issued status have even been called into question, since no one really knows what they mean. Still, that stock looks like the original 1954 Tula markings. Your serial number prefix is consistent with it being a 1954. The lack of refurb markings, of course, is good.

Do the receiver cover and gas tube have the two-tone blue?
When you lay pictures of all of the stamped serial numbers side-by-side do the fonts look identical?

[Boris Badinov]

Is there an EP serial number on the butt plate?

Yes

The evidence suggests that the EP serial on the butt plate is not a trait of original manufacture. It is strong indication that the plate was EP's to ensure that it was reunited with the rifle it came with then the stock was refinished.

IMHO, the crossbolt stamps are evidence of regular program of maintenance/inspection.


The rifle itself, if all matching (including font type as P32 indicated), is about as High Condition as they come.

1954 are pretty common. But what is uncommon is the high quality and apparent lack of use.

[Cupid]

It was the inspection marks around the cross bolt that made me think the stock is original, I have seen quite a few refurbs with new stocks, but have yet to see an example with the inspection marks.

[carls sks]

that is a beauty and no idea if unissued.

[Greatguns]

Okay now, I always thought the diamond stamping around the cross bolt and other places was an indication of having been refurbished, which would put this in the very light refurb category. Yes or no or no one knows for sure?

[Bob_The_Student]

Gorgeous '54! I've been under the impression that the rifles are original config when the rifle looks like this. SOOOO, are we on a new thought process suddenly? Have I been incorrect the last 2 yrs? I'm not sure where this is coming from but it's all new to me. So basically almost every Russian SKS is a refurb if I'm understanding the sudden new thoughts in this thread.

[Greatguns]

Gorgeous '54! I've been under the impression that the rifles are original config when the rifle looks like this. SOOOO, are we on a new thought process suddenly? Have I been incorrect the last 2 yrs? I'm not sure where this is coming from but it's all new to me. So basically almost every Russian SKS is a refurb if I'm understanding the sudden new thoughts in this thread.

One thing to keep in mind is that Cupid is in Canada so the parameters may be different there than here for the Russians as they are still imported. Also, I am not saying I am correct by any means, I am just repeating what I have been taught. Sometimes you get a bad teacher, LOL.

[Boris Badinov]

Okay now, I always thought the diamond stamping around the cross bolt and other places was an indication of having been refurbished, which would put this in the very light refurb category.

A lot of the confusion comes from the how broadly the term "refurbished" is applied. As defined, the term suggests that one or more of the original components has been rebuilt, or replaced.

Cross bolt stamps-- if they are indeed post production applications -- won't always accompany indications of  rebuild or replacement. However, they will often appear in conjunction with one or more indications that a stock or has been refinished. IMO, a refinished stock, if it bears all indications that it is original to the rifle, doesn't suggest refurbishment either. I just seems impossible to expect an original shellac finish wouldn't require at least one post production touch up or refinish-- even if the rifle had spent its entire pre-import life in storage. To me, the crossbolt stamps are weight to the notion that the Soviets, at least for several decades, had a fairly robust regimen of inspection, upkeep and maintenance for the SKS45's that they'd cached away in long term storage.

I've got a 1952 in an (apparently) original stock with 7 crossbolt stamps-- 4 on the left side...and 3 more at the rightside crossbolt:








Stock looks original, but it also bears some suggestions that it has been refinished-- even if only modestly.

Yes or no or no one knows for sure?

For sure? No.

But the rifles themselves tell us a lot.

[Greatguns]

I have always considered refurbished to mean any time it has gone back to the "factory" after initial production. Like buying an Apple computer refurbished.

[Larry D.]

Lawdy, lawdy....

We have some really nice Ruskies in this thread.

[Greatguns]

Lawdy, lawdy....

We have some really nice Ruskies in this thread.

Did you say we're all getting Rusty? Dude, speak for yourself.
(This is the internet version of the hearing starting to go, lol)

[Larry D.]

Lawdy, lawdy....

We have some really nice Ruskies in this thread.

Did you say we're all getting Rusty? Dude, speak for yourself.
(This is the internet version of the hearing starting to go, lol)

Only if we're referring to my rusty bullet hole.......