1952 Tula SKS-45

[Phosphorus32]

A nice 70 year old SKS that I found on GunBroker a few weeks ago. It's not perfect, but I'll take it. Came complete with a sling and greasy cleaning kit.

Details: Matching and appears to be all original stamps. The bayonet stake holes were not aligned upon receipt, but the holes on the bolt and lug did line up when I rotated the bolt a few degrees, so probably an original bayonet. There are a few small patches of worn flat black paint on the edges of the buttplate. Crown is blued other than the annulus created by the chrome-lining.

All I need is a decent 1956 to fill out the arsenal and year collection.

[Boris Badinov]

What's not perfect? Because it sure looks perfect to me.

Another pristine carbine with crossbolt stamps on both sides of the stock.

IMHO this is an unissued carbine--straight to storage after manufacture with a some preventative maintenance measures taken.

Nice grab!!!

[pcke2000]

A nice 70 year old SKS that I found on GunBroker a few weeks ago. It's not perfect, but I'll take it. Came complete with a sling and greasy cleaning kit.

Details: Matching and appears to be all original stamps. The bayonet stake holes were not aligned upon receipt, but the holes on the bolt and lug did line up when I rotated the bolt a few degrees, so probably an original bayonet. There are a few small patches of worn flat black paint on the edges of the buttplate. Crown is blued other than the annulus created by the chrome-lining.

All I need is a decent 1956 to fill out the arsenal and year collection.

Sir, very nice 1952! Congratulations!

[pcke2000]

I personally found the two highlighted markings very interesting.

[Phosphorus32]

What's not perfect? Because it sure looks perfect to me.

Another pristine carbine with crossbolt stamps on both sides of the stock.

IMHO this is an unissued carbine--straight to storage after manufacture with a some preventative maintenance measures taken.

Nice grab!!!

It does have a couple of scratches 

Thanks! I’ve been gradually warming up to your hypothesis about “maintenance in storage”.

[Phosphorus32]

I personally found the two highlighted markings very interesting.

Thanks PC!

Yes, that faint “2” nearly under the letter block is curious. It’s not in the Tula 2 font so I don’t think it was an accidental partial serial number. Perhaps some inspection stamp done earlier in the receiver milling process. I have no idea regarding the circle 1 on the stock.

[pcke2000]

Yes, that faint “2” nearly under the letter block is curious. It’s not in the Tula 2 font so I don’t think it was an accidental partial serial number. Perhaps some inspection stamp done earlier in the receiver milling process. I have no idea regarding the circle 1 on the stock.

Regarding the '2'. I wonder if it's the symbol of Arsenal 103 at Saransk?

[Phosphorus32]

Yes, that faint “2” nearly under the letter block is curious. It’s not in the Tula 2 font so I don’t think it was an accidental partial serial number. Perhaps some inspection stamp done earlier in the receiver milling process. I have no idea regarding the circle 1 on the stock.

Regarding the '2'. I wonder if it's the symbol of Arsenal 103 at Saransk?

I think not. It really appears to have been applied before the serial number. There’s no distortion of the letter 3 in the letter block.

[BMont]

Another fine Ruskie.... nice.

[Boris Badinov]

I personally found the two highlighted markings very interesting.

Very interesting.

Phos-- have you disassembled the rifle to see the barrel/receiver timing numbers?

[Boris Badinov]

Pcke--
Is the 1 in a circle a significant stamp? Or is it that its a circle instead of the standard diamond crossbolt stamp that is of interest?

[Phosphorus32]

Another fine Ruskie.... nice.

Thanks! 

[Phosphorus32]

I personally found the two highlighted markings very interesting.

Very interesting.

Phos-- have you disassembled the rifle to see the barrel/receiver timing numbers?

Pair of 7s. Indexing mark matches. Bluing is consistent.

[Bacarnal]

Nice one, Jon. Great catch

[Phosphorus32]

Nice one, Jon. Great catch

Thanks a lot Bruce! 

[Hotrod]

Outstanding! One of the years I’m missing.

[Phosphorus32]

Outstanding! One of the years I’m missing.

Thanks! It was the second to last year I was missing. Just need a 1956 now.

[lowell66dart]

I'm into cars, trucks, tractors and rifles. I tell people all the time the stuff is still out there. You just have to look for it. Very nice score. Beautiful rifle.

[Hotrod]

Would you min sharing your 53? Mine should be here Wednesday

[Phosphorus32]

I'm into cars, trucks, tractors and rifles. I tell people all the time the stuff is still out there. You just have to look for it. Very nice score. Beautiful rifle.

Thanks! Agreed. It’s become much harder to find what I’d consider a decent deal but I haven’t recalibrated to the new market prices so I have to wait more patiently. Regardless, there are plenty of good firearms out there if you’re willing to pay, or willing to put in the time to find a lower price option.