Taking a chance on a 49

[jstin2]

Last week I saw an ad for a 1949 SKS. Price was a lot higher than normal, but I asked for pictures. Ad was up for 9 hours before I received the pictures and I was told that there were other interested persons. But first I will take it, proper validation and payment would get the rifle. There were 2 pictures that made me very interested. If you remember my post about Sean's 1949 SKS - "An interesting 1949 SKS" you will see why. Received rifle today and will take pictures Tuesday or Wednesday. I will say that although one of the prefix letters is different from Sean's, they could be twins. Here are the 2 of 11 pictures sent to me that sealed the deal.






free image hosting

[echo1]

Nice pick up, PAX

[jstin2]

Early features that I have on this SKS.
1. Equal cleaning rod nubs.
2. No rivet on magazine.
3. Clawed trap door for cleaning kit.
4. Stock modified for clawed trap door.
5. Op rod beveled on 2 sides.
6. Front sling mount thicker - 4.98mm
7. No knurls on safety lever and magazine release.
8. Rear sling mount. I did not notice this till later and added it to this list.

Pictures to follow.

[Phosphorus32]

Nice! Looking forward to more pictures!

[jstin2]

I did not notice the rear mount changes. Outside measurement on the first one is from this SKS(11.93mm), second one is from my early 49 SKS(13.35mm) that has some of the early features and third is from another early 49. Inside gap on top one is 6.11mm and second is 7.63mm. Diameter of the rod used in the top 2 are 2.9mm and on the 3rd is 3.5mm. Base thickness  - top -2.54mm, middle - 2.60mm and bottom - 4.01mm.

[running-man]

I did not notice the rear mount changes. Outside measurement on the first one is from this SKS(11.93mm), second one is from my early 49 SKS(13.35mm) that has some of the early features and third is from another early 49. Inside gap on top one is 6.11mm and second is 7.63mm.

Now *that* is interesting!  They must have had issues threading the slings with the narrower designs and decided to open things up to the swivel that eventually became standard.

Very neat carbine jstin.   

Heck just seeing that bottom pin on the stock ferrule would have gotten me excited enough to kick in a premium over any other typical '49.  Looks like a *very* early one indeed.   Looking forward to the full spread.

[jstin2]

Here are some pictures of the stock.

[jstin2]

When I removed the butt plate to check the trap door, it stayed straight. Thought that it might be rusted. Soaked it in penetrating oil for a few hours. Slowly tried to bend it and then a piece of dried cosmoline dropped off the spring. Spring looks in good condition.

[jstin2]

Finished with the album. I noticed that the 1's on all the metal serial numbers are serif.
https://ibb.co/album/vVPgDs

[Phosphorus32]

Finished with the album. I noticed that the 1's on all the metal serial numbers are serif.
https://ibb.co/album/vVPgDs

Extraordinary ’49! Congratulations!

[jstin2]

I have a question about applying something to the stock to prevent any further drying and chipping or to leave it alone. From a distance, stock looks good, but up close you can see it differently.

[running-man]

Some guys apply mineral oil to the stocks to treat and stabilize them. I'm personally of the camp that if it's not falling apart, I don't touch it (true for a true collectible like this, my mismatched shooter Sino-Banian is quite a different story however!)

[jstin2]

I had thought that the stock had a crack in it, but the lines were too straight. Then I thought stock repair and was glad that stock wasn't replaced. Boris Badinov mentioned that a toe splice is a common feature on original stocks. What amazed me is the fact that there is a vee cut feature which I think was for strength. Plus with the screw hole being close, it also could cause a fracture. I brushed the stock end so you can see wood grain and splitting plus direction of the joints.

[CARBINE]

interesting, nice gun...the rear mount for the sling is new never seen this, neat!

[jstin2]

Here is a better picture of the differences.

[jstin2]

I noticed one other item that makes this rifle different from others. It has no Barrel/Receiver index number.

[running-man]

Very interesting Jstin!! 

[Boris Badinov]

No evidence at all of buffing either. Lathe marks are unmolested on the barrel lug, and the edges the receiver are still sharp. I wonder how they clocked barrel-to-receiver threading?

Very interesting.

[jstin2]

I took some pictures yesterday and made up an album this morning. It raises the question of when barrel/receiver index numbers started. Pictures are from my 1949 SKS's.
https://ibb.co/album/TrZS9x

[running-man]

I wonder if the discontinuity in the index mark is actually an index mark as well as the numeral 1?  The other numeral 1's of the match #'s on the receiver rounds in your examples are quite crudely stamped, and the barrel match # markings are extremely difficult to spot if they exist at all.

It might be that they didn't formalize location of the match numbers on both barrel and receiver until sometime after all these '49's you show were produced. 

Makes me curious, I've never thought that this would be a transitioning feature, but it's clearly in a different location than is seen in later carbines...