Combloc
Stop Negassing me!!!!!
I recently picked up a (by my standards at least) gorgeous 1951 Tula. I probably paid too much for it but I didn't care because it looked so nice. It's probably the nicest SKS I now own. By "As Issued" I mean that it's exactly as it left the factory back in 1951. It may or may not have been issued but it was 100% for sure never sent back to a depot for what collectors call a "rework" or "refurb". Most likely, this example was built, test fired and then put in storage until it was brought back out for import to the US back in the early '90s. Let's take a look:
I'm not very happy with the above pictures because they don't have proper resolution. I hate going outside in the winter to take pictures and my house lighting isn't ideal. It's an as issued 1951 Tula with absolutely the best condition shellac I've ever encountered on one this old. Of course, it still retains the inspection stamps around the recoil lug:
The markings on the left side of the stock are crisp:
The acceptance stamp on the right side is only partially struck unfortunately but of course they weren't stamping them for collectors:
Here's the stamp on the receiver cover:
The bore doesn't appear to be chrome lined. The crown is more grey than chrome and you can see the machining marks that are usually less pronounce after being covered in chrome. Some '51s are chromed and some are not:
The bolt has the later type free floating firing pin and the carrier is of the later type as well:
The bayonet has the typical gold protective coating still on it. The coating has some scratches and freckling in it. Underneath is the early type mirror finish. I'd love to clean the gold coat off to reveal what's underneath but of course I never will:
Of course, all numbers match:
I have a 1954 the exhibits absolutely zero carbon on any parts so they DO exist. This 1951 has definitely been shot but only minimally. It shows a little carbon on the face of the piston and maybe a bit in the gas block (it's hard to tell since it's blued) but that's about it:
Last is a shot inside the receiver. It shows the most finish wear of any part but then I would expect that:
So that's my newest SKS. I won't be shooting this one unfortunately. Soviet examples are going stratospheric these days and will, sadly, continue to do so. So, this is part of my retirement plan one day. Besides, I never got much out of shooting SKS's. They are one of the very few firearms that I enjoy looking at more than shooting for some reason. Thanks for your time and post up your own '51 SKS. The more pictures posted, the more data there is for research!
I'm not very happy with the above pictures because they don't have proper resolution. I hate going outside in the winter to take pictures and my house lighting isn't ideal. It's an as issued 1951 Tula with absolutely the best condition shellac I've ever encountered on one this old. Of course, it still retains the inspection stamps around the recoil lug:
The markings on the left side of the stock are crisp:
The acceptance stamp on the right side is only partially struck unfortunately but of course they weren't stamping them for collectors:
Here's the stamp on the receiver cover:
The bore doesn't appear to be chrome lined. The crown is more grey than chrome and you can see the machining marks that are usually less pronounce after being covered in chrome. Some '51s are chromed and some are not:
The bolt has the later type free floating firing pin and the carrier is of the later type as well:
The bayonet has the typical gold protective coating still on it. The coating has some scratches and freckling in it. Underneath is the early type mirror finish. I'd love to clean the gold coat off to reveal what's underneath but of course I never will:
Of course, all numbers match:
I have a 1954 the exhibits absolutely zero carbon on any parts so they DO exist. This 1951 has definitely been shot but only minimally. It shows a little carbon on the face of the piston and maybe a bit in the gas block (it's hard to tell since it's blued) but that's about it:
Last is a shot inside the receiver. It shows the most finish wear of any part but then I would expect that:
So that's my newest SKS. I won't be shooting this one unfortunately. Soviet examples are going stratospheric these days and will, sadly, continue to do so. So, this is part of my retirement plan one day. Besides, I never got much out of shooting SKS's. They are one of the very few firearms that I enjoy looking at more than shooting for some reason. Thanks for your time and post up your own '51 SKS. The more pictures posted, the more data there is for research!
