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Yooper John's SKS - Battle rifle of many nations

SECTION 27: In this section I will try to show pictures of a 1949 SPIKE bayonet Russian SKS. The only purpose of this page is to help make the collector aware that differences do occur and about anything could be possible. These are ALL from Beryl Barnett, a long time collector of the SKS. THANKS Beryl and willyp !!!!

These pictures are supplied by willyp and are excellent in showing the features of the 1949 Russian SKS. Click on the picture for a larger view!!

1949 Tula SKS 1st production year, early guns were improved versions of the original 1944 trials guns that saw very limited service in WWII, early production is primarily 1949 into early 1950 & these rifles have some substantial diffeences from later guns.	1949 w/bayonet extended Obvious physical (visible)differences are the early guns had: 1) Spike bayonets 2) stocks were shallower in front 3) front band 4) take down lever 5) machining differences in rear sight bases, front bases/bayo mounts, floorplates, mag latches etc.	49 Buttstock right All original mfg SKS's from 1949 to late 55-56 were fiteed w/hardwood stocks, this particular example has been rearsenaled but appears to have all of it's original parts.	49 Tula right side action Carefully compare this view w/pics of the later guns & the comparison views later in the album for the visible differences.
1949 Top cover marking Here you can see the early Tula star, date of 1949, serial (interestingly this ones serial is 1949!), also note the small rework indicator stamp os a diagonal line in a box, also note the takedown lever which is shorter has a hole in it & the pin that goes through the receiver doesn't have an "obvious" weld mark, possibly a 1pc assembly?	49 rear sight Note the black paint finish, as originally these rifles had a high gloss blue finish & bright bolts, some of the rifles were refinished in black paint during refurbs some weren't, some rifles were refitted w/later parts during refurb some weren't.	49 rear sight closeup Rear sight base machining is different compared to later production, you can also see the forend of the stock is much shallower, the grips are shorter & shallower also.	49 bayonet cutout Here is the bayonet cutout on an original spike bayonet 1949 stock, much longer than the later blade bayonet style.
49 Forend, right side Another obvious difference is the gas port on the early rifles which were 90%, the port itself appears almost square, later mfg was much more angled.	49 w/spike bayonet extended	49 w/spike bayonet extended left side	49 left forend
49 Tula gas port A better view of the early 90%, square gas port, this port will also be found on early-mid 50's production guns, also note the different machining of the sling swivel bar, more squared on the early guns.	49 Tula left upper band-forend View of the front band, much shallower than the later blade bayonet style.	49 Tula left forend	49 Tula action left view Note the serial#, 1949!, this rifle has 2 obvious repairs to the wood.
49 Tula bottom trigger-mag	49 Tula left side buttstock Original mfg guns would have the Tula star, date & serial number here (same markings as top cover), this rifle has the remains of the markings (couldn't get them to show in the pic as they're VERY light) which were mostly sanded off during refurb.	49 Tula left side bayonet extended	49 Tula left view