Russian SKS45 ID/FAQ collectibles

[Mrmaxiron]

thank you very much for the value in the information and all the research.
I come back here time and time again every time I find another SKS I want.
the history and value on this beautiful Russian rifles are priceless.

[clornothing]

I have a 1954r refurbished but according to your information I have an earlier trigger group that doesn't belong to my 1954r, the trigger group is the earlier 1949 has no raise between the trigger guard and mag catch and no trigger arm mount...? Matching original serial numbers! Any idea why I have a mismatch it's all original everything matching have all the newer 1954r parts that identify it clearly but the trigger group seems to be an earlier make but like I said it's all original everything belongs together serial numbers match never grinded down and refinished all original.... So what's the deal with my gun lol please anyone

[Boris Badinov]

The dates stamped on refrubished guns are often incorrect. Stocks and receiver covers were often replaced at refurbishment-- the serials were often struck or scrubbed and restamped to match the refurbished rifle but the dates were commonly left intact.

It is odd that your rifle would have the early trigger group -- since the dates suggest that the rifle was refurbished anywhere between 1954 and 1958-- but it is not unheard of. I have a 1950 Soviet Sneak that is a mix of parts from early to late (early trigger group with late magazine-- all matching except for a chinese reciver cover).

Best way to narrow that date of manufacture is the style of the forward gas port(90degree, 45degree, or Curved) and the number of tabs (1 or 2) on the take down lever on the rear site block.

Also the cyrillic prefix of the serial number may help to narrow the date of manufacture even more precisely.

Can you post some photos?

[clornothing]

As you can see I did detach the factory magazine so I can use a 30rd aftermarket as well as the stock been replaced for a folding and the upper handguard swapped out just for looks lol... Sorry about all the pictures and the glares just trying to get answers I'm just confused with my trigger group. As you can see all original serial numbers not grinded down and restamped how this helps you help me thank you for the response. Oh I forgot to mention I know it wasn't part of the original listing but my front sight is stamped with a number 2 either crossed out or stamped with a 1 over the 2 still lost

[Boris Badinov]

Thanks for posting the pics.

One thing that pops out is that the serial # on the trigger group was applied after re-bluing and bbq-paint was applied. Also the font is different from the rest of the serials. So it is obviously a replacement.

The cyrillic prefix "3E" is a documented prefix on 1954 soviet sks carbines.

It's kinda odd that the trigger is 1.) early design-- since the features indicate 1953 or later and 2.) that the trigger serial was restamped AFTER the black refurb paint was applied.

My best guess would be that the rifle was not refurbed for military use but was instead intended for distribution overseas. For this reason it wouldn't have been necessary to replace the trigger group with the most up-to-date design when any functioning trigger group would render the rifle fully funtctioning and worthy for sale in a foreign market.

With the early trigger design you just have to be aware that there is no leaf spring that adds tension to the safety lever and that the lever can get loose over time from constant use.

Just make sure that you have solid positive sear-to-hammer engagement-- or at the very least a neutral sear-to-hammer engagenment with a long trigger pull with a heavy, gritty trigger. The heavy, friction-laden pull in the SKS trigger is part of the safety mechanism.

[clornothing]

I feel let down I traded an NPAP M70 lol darn either way I let a good couple mags down the barrel functions flawlessly and I can count on it with my life I prefer the smaller handguard compared to an ak47 and the extra feeding options of ammo compared to just magazine fed ak. Can't go wrong with chrome longer barrel too what would you value this rifle as... Just wondering

[Boris Badinov]

what would you value this rifle as... Just wondering

With the original stock and magazine (or stamped refurb replacements)-- between $450 and $525

Without-- maybe $400-450.

[JSC1953]

Hi Guys
I have just purchased a SKS 45 1954 Tula. The numbers are all matching but confusing. It's r029. After reading forums and looking at pictures this seems to be unusual. Numbers seem too low.Wondered if anyone would have any ideas. Thanks.

[Boris Badinov]

Nothing unusual about low digit serials on the SKS 45. From a collecting standpoint most important thing about your rifle's serial numbers is that they are all matching.

The Soviets didn't use place holders like the Chinese, so single and double digit serial numbers aren't rare or significant. They are only less common because there are fewer possible single and double digit numbers in comparison to triple and quadruple digit numbers.

[JSC1953]

Thanks for the info..greatly appreciated. Should I leave gun in cosmoline or clean it up. Thanks again for the help.