ОП 705 1955 Tula as issued

[theSKSguy45]

Found this as issued 1955 Tula and was thinking of picking it up. It’s got the same markings as an SOK-sks. Any thoughts on it? Thinking of picking it up at a bit of a higher price than I’m used to (~$800CAD)

[echo1]

Looks very nice. Is it tough to get a matching pinned mag? I've kinda weened myself off the cheaper Chinese SKS rifles as well. I have no idea of Canadian costs. PAX

[theSKSguy45]

They tend to be a mix and match yeah. When they were importing them way back when, some importers just pulled out mags and threw them in a pile, maybe it would go back with that rifle but probably not. Although some are better than others and matching mags are more common with welded pins (both the rod type and the Westrifle special). And the most recent Chinese imports always have matching numbers (I guess they clued into the fact the consumer likes that)

[running-man]

It's a good looking carbine.  Down here in the states, dropping $800 for that would be a no-brainer, but I honestly don't have a clue how much as-issued SKS-45s are going for up north.  If it's only a hundred or so over what is typical, I'd say you're probably ok.  There's nothing in the photos that screams warning signs to me.  Maybe, just maybe, the stock's been refinished, but otherwise it certainly looks as-issued to me.

When you say "It’s got the same markings as an SOK-sks." what does that mean?  Exporter/Importer markings?  I'm unfamiliar with the term SOK-sks.

[Boris Badinov]

I wouldn't call it an "as-issued" rifle.  From what I see in the photos it looks more like an Un-issued carbine-- assuming all matching and all original serialized parts of course

SKS45guy--

Are there crossbolt stamps on both sides of the stock?
Is the cover serial matching and stamped in the same font?
Can you post in focus shots of the crossbolt inletting and the edges of the butt plate?


I agree with RM that the stock has been refinished. But I think refinish was standard for sks45's that were kept in unissued storage. Evidence of this storage re-finish is often seen with the build up of lacquer in the crossbolt inletting and on the edges of the butt plate.

$800 CAN is a good price imho.

[jstin2]

From what I have seen, the average price of a SKS in Canada runs between $600.00 to $800.00 depending on condition and serial numbers matching. This one looks like it is in prime condition. The average pricing does not include 49's with a spike bayonet. Also for those wondering, $800.00 CDN is around $580.00 US.

[theSKSguy45]

Yeah it’s too bad that in 6 months the price rose like $150 on gunpost. I could find $500 Russians consistently but now finding one for less than $600 is a challenge. What do you think 49s are even worth nowadays? I’ve seen some listed as high as $1700 but they don’t stay up long.

[jstin2]

When I first started collecting 49's, they were around $1000.00 to $1500.00. Now they are  $1500.00+. My last one was $2000.00, but it is one of two documented, of the earliest ones made and it is all original. Back in the day, Westrifle was selling average 49's for $400.00 and best for $600.00. But in the same token you could buy a SKS for $200.00 to $250.00.

[theSKSguy45]

Yeah I’m glad I found my 49 when I did. Only $850 or $900 a year or two ago if I recall. Unless I find one in a store or for stupid cheap I’ll probably never buy another. Just too much money for me to justify buying another.

[theSKSguy45]

It's a good looking carbine.  Down here in the states, dropping $800 for that would be a no-brainer, but I honestly don't have a clue how much as-issued SKS-45s are going for up north.  If it's only a hundred or so over what is typical, I'd say you're probably ok.  There's nothing in the photos that screams warning signs to me.  Maybe, just maybe, the stock's been refinished, but otherwise it certainly looks as-issued to me.

When you say "It’s got the same markings as an SOK-sks." what does that mean?  Exporter/Importer markings?  I'm unfamiliar with the term SOK-sks.

These markings https://www.reddit.com/r/SKS/s/PMBD2X1brl

[running-man]

Interesting!  Baikal etchings are quite a bit different than the Molot ones from years past. 

[MikeT]

It’s easily worth $800 in Canada now. That looks to be in great shape. A year ago $800 would still be considered a good deal. It’s a very good deal now.

[theSKSguy45]

More pictures, might want to tag this “picture heavy” RM. finished paying this guy off and boy am I happy with it. I’ve never had a Tula made later than 53 (despite having owned over a dozen at this point) so seeing some of the later features on this rifle is very interesting to me. I’m of the opinion this is in as issued condition but my pictures will speak for themselves. I’ve taken as many in natural light as I could so hopefully it helps in determining its condition. Also included some of the differences between OP-SKSs and the SOK-SKS. Hope you enjoy


These are of the rifle and serials:

[theSKSguy45]

SOK-SKS (2019) vs OP-SKS (2016) marking differences

[theSKSguy45]

Wood & misc. pictures





























Notice the coating on the finish in this picture

And now after lightly scraping with my fingernail it comes off. The uneven finish I think is a layer on top of the original finish. Could be wrong but I think this is straight out of the factory condition.





That layer of buildup in the cross bolt is cosmo


Forgot the dust cover

[Phosphorus32]

That is a beautiful rifle! 👍🏻

Does the magazine have the curved diagonal line (/) on the 7 like the other SN markings? It appears straight in the photo.