Polish Army Marked 1952 Russian Tula SKS45

[fenceline]

So this got some attention in the introductions forum when someone saw my sig, so I thought I'd add this here for those who might be interested, but might not creep the intro sub-forum.... 

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1952 Russian SKS-45, refurbed.  All pieces have factory matching serial numbers with the exception of the Laminate stock which has no XXXX but the proper serial number.  Refurb mark on receiver cover.  Birch hand guard.





AND...

Two Polish Army "W.P." markings. 

One on the left side of the butt stock, to the rear of the serial number...



And one on the left side of the stock, between the bolt and the magazine...



No export marking that I have seen so far.  He had two at the show, and this was the nicest of the two he had.  No more coming in apparently.

This isn't one of the parade rifles and appears to have been in long term storage similar to the SKS that were coming out of the Ukraine.

Picture of 1956 Russian SKS45 in a Polish parade stock for comparison.  Note, this is not an official Polish parade rifle, just a run of the mill Russian in a surplus stock I managed to find, to make a Polish Parade SKS example.  Not trying to pass it off as authentic...



Of a secondary note he did have one that had the stock sanded down, and a very large font serial number on the left side of the butt stock.  He explained that the Polish Army had the unit's crest on the stock, and these had to be removed by law prior to export.  The stock had been sanded, restamped and then re-stained.  You could feel the depression, and the number was noticeable to those keen on the sks, but anyone not knowing what to look for would probably not have noticed.  Interesting piece for sure.  There were no other marks on that rifle.

[Loose}{Cannon]

I have always understood the Polish never used the sks for anything other than Guard duty. This means there "shouldn't be" any standard russian stocked rifles used by Poland i.e military etc.  This marking has never been observed on a polish honor guard stock either as far as I am aware of.   

Is there any provenance associating this rifle to a known import batch from Poland, or any other documents, photos etc ?

[fenceline]

I have always understood the Polish never used the sks for anything other than Guard duty. This means there "shouldn't be" any standard russian stocked rifles used by Poland i.e military etc.  This marking has never been observed on a polish honor guard stock either as far as I am aware of.   

Is there any provenance associating this rifle to a known import batch from Poland, or any other documents, photos etc ?

Can I name the importer?  Not sure on the forum rules on promoting non-supporting businesses.


Other than the exporter himself, I've got nothing.  He is polish, and deals directly with his supplier in Poland.  He has recently brought over Mosins 91/30s and M44s with the same markings and deal extensively in Polish milsurp kit and such.

While I know of dealers that would fraudulently pass different marking as legit, I don't doubt him.  He hand picks a lot of his stock.

From what he says, the supply was small to begin with, and he fought for what he could get, which wasn't too many.  As in low double digits.  He was also trying for a small lot of parade SKS that were converted to fire blanks only, but he lost out.  I was really hoping for one of those.

I don't believe the Poles ever used them outside of parade duty, but the story on these is they were stored long term much like the Ukrainian imports that have flooded Canada for the last couple of years which have now stopped due to the conflict there.  Now most of the market up north are rusty Molots.

Of interest, he mentioned some of the SKS he brought over had unit crests on them that were required to be scrubbed off prior to export for legal issues.  I saw one of the carbines and it appeared to have had a large area ahead of the serial number on the stock rubbed out. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Ok, so its basically a russian sks that could have been imported from Poland. 

Interesting.

The Ukrainians actually use/used these rifles though....  not exactly the same scenario.

[fenceline]

Ok, so its basically a russian sks that could have been imported from Poland. 

Interesting.

The Ukrainians actually use/used these rifles though....  not exactly the same scenario.

Yup, Russian Tula imported from Poland.  Ukraine both used and stored large quantities of SKS made in Russia in case the West ever came a knocking.  Typical Cold War mantra.  It is conceivable that while the Poles didn't formally issue the SKS, they may have had similar stores set aside.  Speculation?  Sure.  No doubt.

I present it for what it is.  I figured it was too cool to pass up, even if it is just a "passport" stamp haha.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Oh...  its interesting.    Should definitely keep the research ball rolling etc on the subject.   

[fenceline]

Oh...  its interesting.    Should definitely keep the research ball rolling etc on the subject.   

Constantly!  The history is half the fun of these rifles.

[Loose}{Cannon]

How about that Honorguard stock.....  I have a similar project going, just need the rifle to drop in the wood.   

Polish Honorguard - General SKS Discussion - SKS-FILES FORUM - Page 1 of 1

You find evidence like I did that the buttplates were originally blued?

[fenceline]

How about that Honorguard stock.....  I have a similar project going, just need the rifle to drop in the wood.   

Polish Honorguard - General SKS Discussion - SKS-FILES FORUM - Page 1 of 1

You find evidence like I did that the buttplates were originally blued?

Wasn't aware of the blued theory.  Interesting.  The screws on mine are pretty much toast, I'll likely leave the plate as it is, and not risk marring it up more.  It saw some use for sure.

[CrazySquid]

Wish I had bought one of these when they were available