So many great rifles in the world, some of incredible design, some with tens of thousands of dollars worth of hand craftsmanship, some with amazing accuracy but the sks is in a class of its own. It is an incredibly simple yet reliable design. It lacks the multi thousand $ hand crafting, and it will never be a precision shooting piece albeit many are not too shabby for their intended purpose. However, they are one of the most enjoyable rifles to own, study and shoot aren't they? Very interesting and informative production, thanks.
Just watched your video now. Very informative, thank you. I purchased my SKS about 3 years ago and knew nothing about them at all. I bought mine because I liked the look of it, and to shoot it. After some research and your video, it turns out I have a Tula "letter series" model. It's the "I" model, produced sometime in 1956. It's unrefurbished and has all the correct markings to back up my belief that it is an "I" series. Except on the receiver cover of course, that is completely bare of any markings at all. Thank you again for the information.
Mine a K series has top cover stamped 1951 with black bayonet in excellent condition. Got it in early or mid 90s and only shot once or twice. Safety has no spring, No angle at bayonet lock. All serial numbers match. Thanks for your vids on SKS. I should have bought 10 at that time since the shop was bringing crates and crates of them !
Mine is a '55 (date on right side under the ejection port) - ALL #'s : YB ( oo / veh ) 8500 'I' (ee), match (x9) - Tula star on left - ash laminated stock - Liberated by my cousin Starshii-Lyetenant Mikhail Yurievich Miasnikov, of the Tamar Guards - it's a keeper!!
The mystery of my new sks thickens,myn is 1950 I letter series,with the tula arsenal stamp and year on receiver cover also,great to b learning all this...thanx again
That is very interesting about the laminated stocks. I have a D letter rifle with matching numbers including the stock but without the cartouches and it has the darker laminated finish on the stock.
Does your stock have the the entire serial number stamped or just the numbers without the 2 Cryillic letters? Letter guns that do not have the entire serial letters and numbers will be replacement stocks.
thank you very much for making these videos. The sks is one of my favorite weapon systems and your videos have taught me a lot about them. They are by far the best/most informative sks and svt40 videos on youtube. If only these old guns could talk. I look forward to future vids. Take care man
It sounds like these came with hardwood stocks? Sounds like either could be correct depending on if it was refurbished. I have one didn't have the original stock, it was in a Chinese stock when I got it and trying to make it more correct to the rifle.
Early 1955 had the Tula Star and the date on the receiver cover. Late 1955 had the Tula star on the receiver but no date. The letter series started in 1956 with the "D" series. No marks on the bolt cover, Tula star on the left side of receiver with the Letter "D". The letter series continued until late 1957 when Russian production of the rifle stopped. Letter series rifles ALL had laminate stocks, chrome lined barrels and no stampings on the bolt cover what so ever. The Chrome lined barrel debuted in late 1953. (early 1953 and prior did not have the chrome barrel) All SKS rifles produced from late 1953 onward in Russia had the chrome barrel. During refurbishing, and SKS's which had damaged or broken hardwood stocks were replaced with laminate stocks. All rifle produced in 1956 and 1957 (the Letter guns) had laminate stocks.
Just because there are no refurb marks, does not mean it was not refurbed. looks like the bayonet was replaced. look at the stake marks on the bayonet screw. they do not line up. Did you remove the bayonet in the clean up? Only "K" letter guns were originally fitted with laminated stocks. Does the serial number on the stock include the 2 Cryllic letter prefixes? Only original stocks will have the 2 letter prefixes included on the stock.
I have a letter I series with no markings on the receiver cover and a small star on the receiver it also has a laminated stock in the honey brown color like the top rifle I just got it today and I’m researching
my first sks was marked with an arrow inside a star and 1956 date stamped on the parts. Second rifle had russian d serial number. thanks for the info. this undated one looks like it was used for stamp practice on the underside of the reciever.
I have recently purchased a Russian SKS with without a date or factory mark on the receiver cover just the refurb mark it's a box diangle line inside it has the Tula star below the stock wood line it has all matching numbers except the gas tube there's two letters before the serial numbers it is CO 62-- I am wondering when it was made any information is really appreciated thanks
Mine has PHO then 4 digit serial number with no letter at the end. No Tula star on the side. Has the early gas block and early gas tube release lever. No arsenal marking on the top cover. Original hardwood stock, blade bayonet and no import markings. No refurbishment markings anywhere on the gun
I have a norinco and a yugo sks with the launcher front sight post and muzzle. I am going to meet someone about a Russian sks. From the picture and description, it is a laminated K model. I was thinking of selling one of the other two sks. Opinion on which to sell or to keep?
It is thought by collectors that only very rusted and pitted or damaged Russian SKS's were refurbished and coated with what we call Bar-B-Q paint. They are perfectly functional but not collector grade.
@@dinosworkinonit3563 I do not think this is true. The scroll marking on these painted rifles are very strong. They wold have been mostly removed by the metal work that would have been involved to remove pitting and rust. They were painted, in my opinion because it was faster and cheaper than reblueing, and also helped prevent further rusting during storage.
Letter Д is 1955, letter И is 1956, letter K is 1957. As far as I know there was a very small amount of carbines produced in 1958 as well. but not sure 100percent. I have seen all those letters, as well, Russian gun forum has lots of info about the correlation of production years with serial numbers , including these ones with additional letter at the end.
Thoughts on the gold stained bayonet: If cosmoline stained the bayonet, then it almost certainly would have stained the bolt and/or carrier. The bolt/carrier and bayonet appear to be of similar if not, identical steel.
The goldish coating on the bayonet is not cosmo nor discolorization from cosmo. Its for preservation of the metal against rust and was treated when the bayonet was made prior to installation on a rifle. This was only done by the Russians.
I have a 1954. With the tula star on top of the receiver. All matching numbers, it is all original (Not refurbished) with serial #s hk 4706 consistent on the entire rifle. Really nice rifle, I wonder how rare it may or may not be?
Just picked up a 1953 SKS a few days ago. Didn't know squat about these guns but the price was right and with informative vids like this, I'm learning so much. Many thanks! I see the magazines are pinned so I'm guessing you are a fellow Canuck...?
Hi have a refurb, however mine does not have a letter affter the serial number, no stamping on the receiver, just a referb mark. I can't find any date of manufacture anywhere on the weapon. Drives me crazy trying to figure out when it was made.
It could have a scrubbed replacement dust cover when it was refurbed, however, there are ways to determine what year is was made. research the samples at yooperj.com or go to SKSboards.com and we can figure it out for you.
I have a Russian model sks , not sure what year or arsenal. I bought it with tapco stock mounted on it , in pretty good shape . My question is it has a dust cover with four set screws and two to mount a scope I guess . I never see this type on other guns . If it had a year and arsenal mark on top it looks like it's been ground off , it's kind of uneven on top . Have you seen any like this ?
Hey brother, great job explaining these SKS's, as I just picked up a Russian model, and I've not only been curious about the "stampings" but also the odd marking that is stamped on my bolt? It's of multiple "Diamond shapes, with the Russian D inside of them"? Could you please tell me what that might be, and also, if my Serial Stamping is the Russian "D" followed by an "M" and then 8130, could you tell me the date of manufacturing and possibly the factory? Thanks so much for your time, and I apologize for going on and on, but it's been hard to find anyone, aside from yourself whom is this informed about these weapons!! If I b hear back, I can send you some pictures, rather than trying to explain everything? Thanks again, and I sincerely hope to hear back? God bless you and yours!!😀
The D series with no receiver star should have had a star and no date on the receiver cover originally. It is possible it was one of the last dated ones on hand and used to assemble the rifle. In that case it would make it rarer than the "no date no star" tulas. The K series with the 1955 topcover and the refurb mark, that had to have been a replacement. Your K with the laminate and only a serial# on the stock, I have one identical to it. I also have one that has no markings on the stock, not even a serial# ,just a few inspector stampings. I have D, I and K series, all non refurb and all with the originally fitted (non replacement) laminate stocks. You can tell the originals vs replacement as they are not as thick as the ones used in refurbishment and generally are a redder tint. They are rarer but not unseen as you say, though the ones I have seen are newer imports after you had made this video. Here's an I with an original laminate westrifle.com/wrstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=2025. I wish I had a nice condition letter gun refurb such as yours, as I can't bring myself to shoot any of my non refurbs
Obviously all guns are different and what shoots good in one gun may not shoot good in another. Do you shoot surplus ammo in your guns - If so do you have a favorite surplus 7.62x39?
If you are referring to the finish on the metal, what looks like black paint was a coating used on the most heavily rusted, pitted, or damaged metal during the refurbishment process. Not all refurbished rifles required what we call Bar-B-Q paint, during refurbishment.
After watching this video I thought my 1952 Tula was a refurbished or worse doctored rifle. As for the arsenal mark, year, and the 4 stamps around the stock cross bolt, the Russian laminated stocks do not have these marks - only the hardwood stocks. Also, the thumb tab you said you wished the Tula factory used in fact was used by Tula early first few years of production. Mine has it. There is more variations than what you cover. This website has a much larger sample size - www.yooperj.com/SKS.htm
Mine has a d mark and a * on the side, a mark on the top cover and a refurb mark & * on the stock. And a whole bunch of jibberish markings below the rear sight. No idea what I have. 😂🤷♂️🇨🇦✌️.
I'm in Canada... we still get deals on Russian SKS's here for $100 CAD... about $70.00USD if you buy from a dealer, $200CAD and they're in amazing shape... I just bought a 243 K98k with a forced Semi-Krigsmodell stock for $600... Milsurp are still cheap here... It's the American made Rifles that are twice the price of the US here. All SKS's are shooters, even if you own 00001... Shoot em, clean em and love em for what they are, Awesome made sexy rifles... all of em.
I have a Russian model sks , not sure what year or arsenal. I bought it with tapco stock mounted on it , in pretty good shape . My question is it has a dust cover with four set screws and two to mount a scope I guess . I never see this type on other guns . If it had a year and arsenal mark on top it looks like it's been ground off , it's kind of uneven on top . Have you seen any like this ?
So many great rifles in the world, some of incredible design, some with tens of thousands of dollars worth of hand craftsmanship, some with amazing accuracy but the sks is in a class of its own. It is an incredibly simple yet reliable design. It lacks the multi thousand $ hand crafting, and it will never be a precision shooting piece albeit many are not too shabby for their intended purpose. However, they are one of the most enjoyable rifles to own, study and shoot aren't they? Very interesting and informative production, thanks.
Just watched your video now. Very informative, thank you. I purchased my SKS about 3 years ago and knew nothing about them at all. I bought mine because I liked the look of it, and to shoot it. After some research and your video, it turns out I have a Tula "letter series" model. It's the "I" model, produced sometime in 1956. It's unrefurbished and has all the correct markings to back up my belief that it is an "I" series. Except on the receiver cover of course, that is completely bare of any markings at all. Thank you again for the information.
Some beautiful examples .
Mine a K series has top cover stamped 1951 with black bayonet in excellent condition. Got it in early or mid 90s and only shot once or twice. Safety has no spring, No angle at bayonet lock. All serial numbers match. Thanks for your vids on SKS. I should have bought 10 at that time since the shop was bringing crates and crates of them !
I bought mine for 87 dollars 1053 Russian. In 1998
Mine is a '55 (date on right side under the ejection port) - ALL #'s : YB ( oo / veh ) 8500 'I' (ee), match (x9) - Tula star on left - ash laminated stock - Liberated by my cousin Starshii-Lyetenant Mikhail Yurievich Miasnikov, of the Tamar Guards - it's a keeper!!
The mystery of my new sks thickens,myn is 1950 I letter series,with the tula arsenal stamp and year on receiver cover also,great to b learning all this...thanx again
No such thing. If you still have it, I recommend you go to SKSboards.com to better solve the mystery.
Thanks! You Identified my Russian SKS!
That is very interesting about the laminated stocks. I have a D letter rifle with matching numbers including the stock but without the cartouches and it has the darker laminated finish on the stock.
Does your stock have the the entire serial number stamped or just the numbers without the 2 Cryillic letters? Letter guns that do not have the entire serial letters and numbers will be replacement stocks.
thank you very much for making these videos. The sks is one of my favorite weapon systems and your videos have taught me a lot about them. They are by far the best/most informative sks and svt40 videos on youtube. If only these old guns could talk. I look forward to future vids. Take care man
I have an SKS stamped 1953r, and is also a Tula arsenal. A star with a fletched arrow inside.
It sounds like these came with hardwood stocks? Sounds like either could be correct depending on if it was refurbished. I have one didn't have the original stock, it was in a Chinese stock when I got it and trying to make it more correct to the rifle.
Early 1955 had the Tula Star and the date on the receiver cover. Late 1955 had the Tula star on the receiver but no date. The letter series started in 1956 with the "D" series. No marks on the bolt cover, Tula star on the left side of receiver with the Letter "D". The letter series continued until late 1957 when Russian production of the rifle stopped.
Letter series rifles ALL had laminate stocks, chrome lined barrels and no stampings on the bolt cover what so ever.
The Chrome lined barrel debuted in late 1953. (early 1953 and prior did not have the chrome barrel) All SKS rifles produced from late 1953 onward in Russia had the chrome barrel.
During refurbishing, and SKS's which had damaged or broken hardwood stocks were replaced with laminate stocks. All rifle produced in 1956 and 1957 (the Letter guns) had laminate stocks.
I have original (N) "I" with a laminated stock, no re-furb markings at all.
Russian SKS
Just because there are no refurb marks, does not mean it was not refurbed. looks like the bayonet was replaced. look at the stake marks on the bayonet screw. they do not line up. Did you remove the bayonet in the clean up? Only "K" letter guns were originally fitted with laminated stocks. Does the serial number on the stock include the 2 Cryllic letter prefixes? Only original stocks will have the 2 letter prefixes included on the stock.
I have a letter I series with no markings on the receiver cover and a small star on the receiver it also has a laminated stock in the honey brown color like the top rifle I just got it today and I’m researching
Why so many cartouches around the cross bolt? What does the cross bolt do?
my first sks was marked with an arrow inside a star and 1956 date stamped on the parts. Second rifle had russian d serial number. thanks for the info. this undated one looks like it was used for stamp practice on the underside of the reciever.
I have recently purchased a Russian SKS with without a date or factory mark on the receiver cover just the refurb mark it's a box diangle line inside it has the Tula star below the stock wood line it has all matching numbers except the gas tube there's two letters before the serial numbers it is CO 62-- I am wondering when it was made any information is really appreciated thanks
Nice rifles I got a non re-firb 52 with matching number's
I have a D series without a year on the receiver cover. How can I date this rifle?
Mine has PHO then 4 digit serial number with no letter at the end. No Tula star on the side.
Has the early gas block and early gas tube release lever. No arsenal marking on the top cover.
Original hardwood stock, blade bayonet and no import markings.
No refurbishment markings anywhere on the gun
I have a refurb "I" letter gun. Only mark on the receiver cover is a square with a line though it. Stock is hardwood and has no markings on it at all.
great collection
Please Video On Letter Series Sino Soviet Gun.i Have Gun With Small Star On Receiver and Letter Series (AP).and Inverted N after Serial Number
I have a norinco and a yugo sks with the launcher front sight post and muzzle.
I am going to meet someone about a Russian sks. From the picture and description, it is a laminated K model.
I was thinking of selling one of the other two sks. Opinion on which to sell or to keep?
Great video! Would you be interested in selling the K series with laminate stock (second from the top)? I am very interested. Thanks!
The one im getting is a K refurbed with black bolt. Any idea on why bolts were painted black for refurb.
It is thought by collectors that only very rusted and pitted or damaged Russian SKS's were refurbished and coated with what we call Bar-B-Q paint. They are perfectly functional but not collector grade.
@@dinosworkinonit3563 I do not think this is true. The scroll marking on these painted rifles are very strong. They wold have been mostly removed by the metal work that would have been involved to remove pitting and rust. They were painted, in my opinion because it was faster and cheaper than reblueing, and also helped prevent further rusting during storage.
Letter Д is 1955, letter И is 1956, letter K is 1957. As far as I know there was a very small amount of carbines produced in 1958 as well. but not sure 100percent. I have seen all those letters, as well, Russian gun forum has lots of info about the correlation of production years with serial numbers , including these ones with additional letter at the end.
Thoughts on the gold stained bayonet: If cosmoline stained the bayonet, then it almost certainly would have stained the bolt and/or carrier. The bolt/carrier and bayonet appear to be of similar if not, identical steel.
The goldish coating on the bayonet is not cosmo nor discolorization from cosmo. Its for preservation of the metal against rust and was treated when the bayonet was made prior to installation on a rifle. This was only done by the Russians.
I have a 1954. With the tula star on top of the receiver. All matching numbers, it is all original (Not refurbished) with serial #s hk 4706 consistent on the entire rifle. Really nice rifle, I wonder how rare it may or may not be?
Any untouched and un-refurbed rifle will be less common, and even rare in some cases.
08:25 is there the triangle with a 1 inside indicating that the d series is an ex ddr from Germany?
Just picked up a 1953 SKS a few days ago. Didn't know squat about these guns but the price was right and with informative vids like this, I'm learning so much. Many thanks!
I see the magazines are pinned so I'm guessing you are a fellow Canuck...?
Hi have a refurb, however mine does not have a letter affter the serial number, no stamping on the receiver, just a referb mark. I can't find any date of manufacture anywhere on the weapon. Drives me crazy trying to figure out when it was made.
It could have a scrubbed replacement dust cover when it was refurbed, however, there are ways to determine what year is was made. research the samples at yooperj.com or go to SKSboards.com and we can figure it out for you.
I have a Russian model sks , not sure what year or arsenal. I bought it with tapco stock mounted on it , in pretty good shape . My question is it has a dust cover with four set screws and two to mount a scope I guess . I never see this type on other guns . If it had a year and arsenal mark on top it looks like it's been ground off , it's kind of uneven on top . Have you seen any like this ?
your dust cover is an aftermarket part, not the original factory dust cover.
Why does your refurbished 49 laminate has an Albanian spike bayonet? Didi you put it on or did you get it like that?
+nightwolf169
The very first made Russian SKS's in 1949 had a Spike bayo. Rare and VERY Valuable.
Hey brother, great job explaining these SKS's, as I just picked up a Russian model, and I've not only been curious about the "stampings" but also the odd marking that is stamped on my bolt? It's of multiple "Diamond shapes, with the Russian D inside of them"? Could you please tell me what that might be, and also, if my Serial Stamping is the Russian "D" followed by an "M" and then 8130, could you tell me the date of manufacturing and possibly the factory? Thanks so much for your time, and I apologize for going on and on, but it's been hard to find anyone, aside from yourself whom is this informed about these weapons!! If I b hear back, I can send you some pictures, rather than trying to explain everything? Thanks again, and I sincerely hope to hear back? God bless you and yours!!😀
Hey there i have a tula letter k one non refurb beutiful gun how much would it b worth
Ever hear of a Russian SKS with a two row serial number? Roman numeral VI above the standard 6 digital serial number
Do ya answer questions or nah ??
The D series with no receiver star should have had a star and no date on the receiver cover originally. It is possible it was one of the last dated ones on hand and used to assemble the rifle. In that case it would make it rarer than the "no date no star" tulas. The K series with the 1955 topcover and the refurb mark, that had to have been a replacement. Your K with the laminate and only a serial# on the stock, I have one identical to it. I also have one that has no markings on the stock, not even a serial# ,just a few inspector stampings. I have D, I and K series, all non refurb and all with the originally fitted (non replacement) laminate stocks. You can tell the originals vs replacement as they are not as thick as the ones used in refurbishment and generally are a redder tint. They are rarer but not unseen as you say, though the ones I have seen are newer imports after you had made this video. Here's an I with an original laminate westrifle.com/wrstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=20&products_id=2025. I wish I had a nice condition letter gun refurb such as yours, as I can't bring myself to shoot any of my non refurbs
I have the D series with no marking on the receiver cover I understand that it would make it a rare SKS is this true?
@@surferbum65 not necessarily. 1955 was the transitional year. Yours is a 1956 "D".
Obviously all guns are different and what shoots good in one gun may not shoot good in another. Do you shoot surplus ammo in your guns - If so do you have a favorite surplus 7.62x39?
What finish do the Russians use? it looks like black paint?
mark oshields ..arctic birtch
If you are referring to the finish on the metal, what looks like black paint was a coating used on the most heavily rusted, pitted, or damaged metal during the refurbishment process. Not all refurbished rifles required what we call Bar-B-Q paint, during refurbishment.
You cannot stain the bayonet. the cosmoline will come of with elbow grease. Mine did. I just used g 96 gun treatment.
Do you have a email so I can send you some pics, you seem to be a expert on these
I would recommend posting on SKSboards. I frequent that site, along wit many other people who know more about the SKS and its variants than I do.
I have no year and only PC on mine with refurbished
Mines 1950 and says NH 5021.
After watching this video I thought my 1952 Tula was a refurbished or worse doctored rifle. As for the arsenal mark, year, and the 4 stamps around the stock cross bolt, the Russian laminated stocks do not have these marks - only the hardwood stocks. Also, the thumb tab you said you wished the Tula factory used in fact was used by Tula early first few years of production. Mine has it. There is more variations than what you cover. This website has a much larger sample size - www.yooperj.com/SKS.htm
Good guns
❤❤❤
I'm so confused. I have a original Russian that ends with a P
Mine has a d mark and a * on the side, a mark on the top cover and a refurb mark & * on the stock. And a whole bunch of jibberish markings below the rear sight. No idea what I have. 😂🤷♂️🇨🇦✌️.
You need decent quality pictures of the rifle and its markings for anyone to be able to help. See the reply above!
1954
They're all just SKS's shoot em' and clean em'...
Geoff Clark color me impressed but that's not an SKS... :)
I'm in Canada... we still get deals on Russian SKS's here for $100 CAD... about $70.00USD if you buy from a dealer, $200CAD and they're in amazing shape... I just bought a 243 K98k with a forced Semi-Krigsmodell stock for $600... Milsurp are still cheap here... It's the American made Rifles that are twice the price of the US here. All SKS's are shooters, even if you own 00001... Shoot em, clean em and love em for what they are, Awesome made sexy rifles... all of em.
Yeah I'm in Ottawa... The west always gets suckered. Sorry...
www.cabelas.ca/product/78682/russian-sks-semi-auto-rifle-w-laminate-stock
Just sayin' these would go for $500USD down South...
Really, Dik, we are being trolled by the Russians
Sir need WhatsApp number or email to send some pictures of sks.Want to confirm what sks i have,It have small star and Serial number AP
I have a Russian model sks , not sure what year or arsenal. I bought it with tapco stock mounted on it , in pretty good shape . My question is it has a dust cover with four set screws and two to mount a scope I guess . I never see this type on other guns . If it had a year and arsenal mark on top it looks like it's been ground off , it's kind of uneven on top . Have you seen any like this ?
What you have is an after market dust cover made for mounting a scope. It is not an original factory made dust cover.