The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

.Well you guys know I have this power that is unleashed through a process that involves a lot of really hard to understand math and physics calculations, and possibly some magic...


Ok, I have found a 1953 Samozaryadnyi Karbin Simonova, Izhevsk re-fub... "No Import Stamp" I have checked this over 100 times. I spent alot of time checking every site that would google a SKS. Sleepless hours, hound dogging the sites and emailing questions. I decided to fly out and look it over in person. Bought this back home with me. Price a few dollars over $400.00

Now, please feel free to disprove any information. I shall include links to my reasearch (if not allowed will a mod. delete the links and I shall PM them if anyone wants)


While I am not an expert on the SKS, I did quite a bit of research and consulted with individuals with much more knowledgeable on the subject matter than I am. I've also checked with well established forums such as SKS board and milsurp.

The serial is where the biggest distinction comes from, the Cyrillic-number-number-number-Cyrillic serial is distinct Izhevsk trait, compared to the Tula counterparts with the double Cyrillic and 3 or 4 number serials.

Izhevsk also only produced the SKS for 2 years, 1953 and 1954, all the features on the gun such as the later bayonet lug, larger rear sight base, single indent gas tube latch, the lack of a star stamp on the receiver, and curved gas block all dates the rifle within these years.

Unfortunately dust cover might have been replaced with a blank during one of the rearsenals, or it might be refinished over but there is no star on the dust cover. Which in 1955 they were left blank and the Tula Star was on the side reciever. So I must assume that the last refub was 1955. This was refubed three times.

However, the best tell is that there is an inspection mark on the trunnion that corresponds to Izhevsk factory markings, the second one on the link below. Along with the Izhevsk stamp on the bayonet. Most of all is the lacking of any type Tula stamps.

Links of my research.........
Trunnion stamps
http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Mosin%20 ... Image6.gif

Top covers blank, other information reading for 1953 Izhevsk
http://www.imageevent.com/willyp/russia ... inov762x39


Bayonet ....



A treasure chest found here....Stock type,

http://www.weaponscache.com/forum/rifle ... ibles.html


More information helped from here....

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?board=2.0


Dust cover leads me to believe last refub was in 1955-56.....Blank dust cover.

http://www.yooperj.com/SKS-1.htm *** Lot of my information helped me here.****

Again, the blank dust cover comes into play.....
http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=17575


Another of my leads....The 1953 Izhevsk SKS (front, gun locker) Note the lighter brown finish on the stock, which is typical and unique to the 1953 Izhevsk.




The marking and proof stamps are the same as on this "Proven" 1953 Izhevek .......all stamping showen also match the SKS I have..

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =455801030


Another site that confirmed most of what I been finding.

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/

More information relating to history, Good reading

http://www.ignitepoint.com/?SKS&article ... om=PROFILE


http://www.ogca.com/sks_rifles__by_adrian_van_dyk.htm

Ok,...Now some pictures....If you decide you need more or better picture of a certain area, Please tell me I need the experts to help me out.































Bad picture but Izhevsk mark on bayonet........



















Izhevsk stamp on sight.........



Refub marks on stock...Which takes this to 1955, Blank dust cover ...








































Ok...If anyone needs any other pictures, tell me where and what....

Any other information you can add?

Ok.......Question one, No import markings, I was told the person I bought this from purchased it from a Vet. which was a bring back. Nice story but no papers. However the lack of import stamp still has me confused.

No spot weld on magazine as Canada limits to five rounds, also no stopper in magazine. Has anyone seen a Russian SKS non-import marked ?

Thanks everyone,.........Judi and her Mosin's

Hmmm... no import stamp... you've got your own plane.... been to Cuba lately? Of course they'd probably sell for a lot less down there! Very nice looking Izhevsk SKS and for just a few bucks over $400, you just can't go wrong.

Nice SKS, when you do it you do it big. Old Outlaw should be around soon to help you out.

It's a clean one, Judi.

I'm not sure that the blank cover and multiple sets of XXX"S on the stock can identify when or how many times the gun was refurbished, but only that it was rebuilt at some time.

It would not be the first SKS which showed little field wear that could be considered as a bringback. Some guns from the South East Asian theater were taken from caches and/or captured in fine condition. It certainly does not exhibit the usual brown patina and sweat blackened/worn/soiled furniture. Not implying that it is a bringback, but a Russian SKS with no import mark is a rare commodity in the US.

Oh man, that is a serious piece of eye candy Judy. I think you did great. While I can't add any expert pointers as to details, I sure do like the look of it. I think it is hard to beat a nice SKS.

Dang it Judi, you done gone and done good. Congrats, that is a nice one.

Those SKS are pretty cool looking! That looks like a nice score.

A spectacular Find!

I like it, that is one cool sks.

Nice find and excellent presentation

Wow Judi. You know more about these than I ever will. I thought about a Russian but they are way too much for me. This is a very nice refurb. I love the furniture on this one. I can't add anything other than good job with this research and post. I'm gonna stash those links for future use.

That is a very nice looking SKS. Well worth what you paid for it.

Taking a closer look today on a screen with better resolution.

So, does this gun show features that could link it to the conditions of jungle use? I think so.

What is missing on the metal - patina - can be dismissed because of the finish which was applied to the gun at refurbishment. The Izhevesk was coated with an apparent baked finish at refurbishment which would protect the metal of the barreled action against the elements and the usual resultant browning patina - which is a product of repeated high humidity, sweaty handling, oxidation, oiling, cleaning, and heat. The longer the exposure to these elements, the deeper the patina develops.

Judi's gun has obviously not seen the bumps, bruises, scratches and heavy handling features that can be seen on some the more experienced firearms from SE Asia. But take a close look at the following surfaces which did not receive the baked-on finish.

1. Bayonet screw
2. Magazine cover
3. Crossbolt
4. Top of the bolt carrier and charging handle
5. inside surface of the trigger guard
6. Buttplate
7. To a lesser extent, but visible, the cleaning rod

Exposure to the elements has begun the patina process on these surfaces. To view a firearm which has seen a longer exposure to these elements, see the following link.

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... t=shrapnel


Now the furniture. Continuous exposure to moisture, drying, heat, oil, sweat, dirt, handling will also develop a certain look which can be linked to jungle experience. Swelling and drying will precipitate fine cracking. Mold develops in the cracks, and a black pigment will penetrate the wood fibers. Oil application will harden and preserve this black pigment.

In areas of repair, the glue will also begin deteriorating and assume the blackened nature of the wood. Dirty and sweaty hands will smooth and darken the wood in the gripping areas of the wrist, the safety cut-out, charging handle/ejection port relief, and grasping grooves. Any oil which has been applied in these areas will cause the wood to accept a darker and more reflective/shiny surface.

Now, no one can say with 100% surety that a non-papered gun has spent time in the jungle. And Judi's gun has not been exposed as long as some other firearms. But it does possess features of exposure that we don't generally find on firearms which come from the less humid and cooler climes, such as the ones from the European theater.

In conclusion, I think this gun is non-import marked for a reason. It didn't come in with the rest of the surplus from Russia in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Most likely from Vietnam. But who knows? Cambodia? Panama? El Salvador? Grenada? Other Central American special ops campaign?

Anyway. Great gun, Judi. Congrats.

Nice

martin08 wrote:Taking a closer look today on a screen with better resolution.

So, does this gun show features that could link it to the conditions of jungle use? I think so.

What is missing on the metal - patina - can be dismissed because of the finish which was applied to the gun at refurbishment. The Izhevesk was coated with an apparent baked finish at refurbishment which would protect the metal of the barreled action against the elements and the usual resultant browning patina - which is a product of repeated high humidity, sweaty handling, oxidation, oiling, cleaning, and heat. The longer the exposure to these elements, the deeper the patina develops.

Judi's gun has obviously not seen the bumps, bruises, scratches and heavy handling features that can be seen on some the more experienced firearms from SE Asia. But take a close look at the following surfaces which did not receive the baked-on finish.

1. Bayonet screw
2. Magazine cover
3. Crossbolt
4. Top of the bolt carrier and charging handle
5. inside surface of the trigger guard
6. Buttplate
7. To a lesser extent, but visible, the cleaning rod

Exposure to the elements has begun the patina process on these surfaces. To view a firearm which has seen a longer exposure to these elements, see the following link.

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... t=shrapnel


Now the furniture. Continuous exposure to moisture, drying, heat, oil, sweat, dirt, handling will also develop a certain look which can be linked to jungle experience. Swelling and drying will precipitate fine cracking. Mold develops in the cracks, and a black pigment will penetrate the wood fibers. Oil application will harden and preserve this black pigment.

In areas of repair, the glue will also begin deteriorating and assume the blackened nature of the wood. Dirty and sweaty hands will smooth and darken the wood in the gripping areas of the wrist, the safety cut-out, charging handle/ejection port relief, and grasping grooves. Any oil which has been applied in these areas will cause the wood to accept a darker and more reflective/shiny surface.

Now, no one can say with 100% surety that a non-papered gun has spent time in the jungle. And Judi's gun has not been exposed as long as some other firearms. But it does possess features of exposure that we don't generally find on firearms which come from the less humid and cooler climes, such as the ones from the European theater.

In conclusion, I think this gun is non-import marked for a reason. It didn't come in with the rest of the surplus from Russia in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Most likely from Vietnam. But who knows? Cambodia? Panama? El Salvador? Grenada? Other Central American special ops campaign?

Anyway. Great gun, Judi. Congrats.

.Thank you Matt for the information, How about everyone else, how many other Non-Import stamped Russian SKS's have you seen around. I have yet to see any other sites that have posted one. ? Anyone ? Anyone else can add to this, sure would help me. Judi and her Mosin's

That's a super score Judi, and martin08 great observations too

Very nice piece, and as always you've DONE REAL good.
In researching aka white collar, you're over the top girl!!!
Keep on keeping on, you're on a roll w/ that much dedication.
Semper Fi,
Joe
p.s. I'm always impressed with your dedication to collecting the finer things in life.