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SECTION xx: In this section I will try to show the differences between the 1949 Russian SKS and a later 1953 model. 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 my personal observations and not from any books. Photos and write up courtesy of willyp. NOTE: click on the thumbnail picture to see a larger view.
 1949vs1953 Tula SKS's The following group of pics show an early (1949-early 1950 mfg) rifle versus a mid (late 51/early52-mid 55 mfg) gun. There appear to be about 4 major mfg variants of the Russian SKS (for collectors purposes) but different features seem to have been phased in as time went on rather than all at once & some or all of the features can be found on guns, the originality & time frame of the changes can only be ascertained by examining enough verifiable original examples as possible. |
 49vs53 w/bayonets extended right side Top: 49 Bottom: 53 Other than the bayonet the general outline of the rifles is a bit different due to the stock dimensions & the early/spike gun is longer w/the bayonets extended. |
 49vs53 right side buttplates Left: 53 Tula Right: 49 Tula The 49 buttplate appears to be a bit "straighter" in profile & is thicker than the later rifle. |
 49vs53 right action Top: 49 Tula Bottom: 53 Tula Note: the 53 is in original finish, the 49 is in rework finish although consisting of all it's original parts. Compare machining variations, take down lever, stock etc. |
 49vs53 right side takedown levers Left: 49 Right: 53 My reason for using the 49 vs 53 for comparison is the 53 is probably the main style, the style between the 49-50 & late 52 is mostly a combination of both! |
 49vs53 Tulas Rear sight area |
 49vs53 Tulas forend area Better closeup of the rear sight bases & forend for comparison. |
 49vs53 Bayonet cutouts Here you can see the dimensional differences, a later, blade bayonet stock would have to be heavily modified & recontoured to fit the spike bayonet, also the front band is very different. |
 49vs53 Tulas right muzzle areas Some of the "non" visible, "non" obvious differences are: 1) early guns had non chrome bores 2) early guns had 90% gas ports in the barrel 3) early guns had spring loaded firing pins 4) early guns had no disconnector as part of the trigger group 5) various machining differences in internal parts. |
 49vs53 Tulas right forends Top: 49, 90% block bottom: 53, 45% block Between these 2 variants there is another that was similiar to the 53 but the machining on the outeside of the port was a bit different. |
 49vs53 left w/bayonets extended |
 49vs53 left forends |
 49vs53 bottom view bayonet hilts/mounts Left: 49 spike bayonet Right: 53 blade bayonet |
 49vs53 left view, gas ports Left: 49 90% Right: 53 45% |
 49vs53 front bands Left: 49 Right: 53 Note the 49 is shallower, a bit narrower & has no cutout or "slit" for the blade. |
 49vs53 Forends Top: 49 Bottom: 53 49 is much shallower in the forearm |
 49vs53 Tulas bayo cutouts Top: 49 spike blade Bottom: 53 blade |
 49vs53 rear sight bases Top: 49 Bottom: 53 |
 49vs53 mags/trigger assemblies Top: 49 Bottom: 53 |
 49vs53 Buttplates Top: 49 Bottom: 53 |
 49vs53 Left sides Top: 49 Bottom: 53 |
This page is still under Construction!!
YooperJ
Started in
1999
by [Yooper John's]. All rights reserved.
Revised:
04 Mar 2016 12:54:28 -0600
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