Russian SKS date question.

[padams8888]

Hey all. Been gone a bit. Since they shut us down here in WA. State, I've been on a bit of an sks hiatus.  I tried using the Russian serial number tracking page, but apparently I suck at it. Does this S/N fall into a 1949 realm or? It's a shame either way that it was deglorified in such a horrible manner.

[Boris Badinov]

Do you have a photo of the entire barrel?

[padams8888]

I will on Thursday. No front sight block though.

[Boris Badinov]

I will on Thursday. No front sight block though.

Drats! 

The front sight block is what I wanted to see. From mid to late 1950 onward, there is a machined step on the barrel just aft of the front site block. If there is no step this could narrow the date of production to early 1950.

[padams8888]

Found the front pic

[Boris Badinov]

Looks like an early barrel. With the  45° gas port, I would guess early 1950.

[running-man]

Pat!  Great to see you.  Shame about WA shutting firearms down.

I don't really have much to add on this one.  S/N database shows only a few ЛM prefixed carbines:



It's obviously not a '57.  Other carbines seen are '50 and '52, but the '52's under this S/N prefix had curved gas blocks where yours has a 45° block.   The (very very limited) data points towards it being a '50.  I determined '50 on the gun in the database despite the '49 receiver cover based on the long tabbed takedown lever (which you unfortunately don't have, rats!) as the long tabbed lever was a very unique characteristic for only a small portion of 1950 production. 

It's a shame that happened to it.  Perhaps the parts can help save another Russian from Bubba or from being cut upby the overzealous authorities...