russian sks questions

[Timberland]

Just bought a russian sks from a guy at work. I have a few questions.
1. here is a pic of the dust cover. 1954 Tula arsenal, what does the R mean?

[Timberland]

The oiler came with it, what can you guys tell me about the marking on it

[Timberland]

Here is picture of whole thing, Does the stock look original? What about the sling, never seen sling like this one

[Timberland]

He bought it 10 years ago, covered in cosmoline. he only shot 6 rounds through it and that was it. Only thing is those scratches on the stock, any ideas how I can get rid of those without sanding down the whole stock and refeinishing.

The reason I ask about the stock being original, here is pick of left side.

[Timberland]

Here is another question, THis thing came with it. What is it?

[Timberland]

Here is another question, THis thing came with it. What is it?

[Slappy]

I'll refer you to these guys, pretty knowledgeable board but may take a few days for a response ----> http://www.sksboards.com/forum/viewforum.p...de4813d99f8fc78 (http://www.sksboards.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=32&sid=f04465e2eb09c590ede4813d99f8fc78)

Blued carriers, blued bayo's and laminate stocks are a good sign that the gun has been refurbed. Your's doesn't have any of that so it looks like it may not have been messed with and is as original as they come. Got any pics of the top of the chamber right behind the rear sight? There are a few stamps that are stuck on arsenal refurbs.........

[Timberland]

heres some here. sorry about the lighting. I have the best results on my back porch around midday

[Timberland]

here is left side

[Timberland]

right

[BlenderWizard]

The marking on the oiler would indicate to me that it is from a rifle made at the Izvhesk(sp?) arsenal. Wouldn't worry about it, though. Man, that's nice

[Slappy]

Originally posted by Timberland@Jun 14 2005, 03:38 PM
He bought it 10 years ago, covered in cosmoline. he only shot 6 rounds through it and that was it. Only thing is those scratches on the stock, any ideas how I can get rid of those without sanding down the whole stock and refeinishing.

The reason I ask about the stock being original, here is pick of left side.
Sorry, I missed this pic earlier. Looks like the rifle did see a refurb at some point, the stock has been renumbered. No big deal and won't reduce the value.

[J Greer]

Blenderwizard correct about the arsenal on your oiler bottle.

If I remeber right The R is the Cyrillic letter abbreviation for the Russian word "god" which means year. It really has nothing to do with God.

Here is another question, THis thing came with it. What is it?

You got me. It looks like a stripper clip for 8MM Mauser. Its not like any SKS stripper clip that I've ever seen. SKS stripper clips look like THIS (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?dept_id=1230&sku=SKS-600&imgid=&mscssid=BR5RWWBP3NC58GPLT6ANHE1TSMGJE3F4).

[Timberland]

Yeh, I got 25 or so regular sks stripper clips with it. Im a bit puzzeled by the other thing. Did Tula make oilers with star and arrow?

Any ideas what I can do with those scratches. Irritates me seeing those. I just don't want to do anyting to the finish that is there like sanding or anything. Less invasive the better

[BlenderWizard]

Originally posted by Timberland@Jun 16 2005, 05:46 PM
Yeh, I got 25 or so regular sks stripper clips with it. Im a bit puzzeled by the other thing. Did Tula make oilers with star and arrow?

Any ideas what I can do with those scratches. Irritates me seeing those. I just don't want to do anyting to the finish that is there like sanding or anything. Less invasive the better
Those "scratches" are from the factory. That stock originally belonged to another, most likely, unrepairable rifle. That is an indication that it has been factory refurbished, and I would not touch those. I assume you're talking about the "X's" across the old serial #'s

[BlenderWizard]

Originally posted by J Greer@Jun 16 2005, 11:15 AM
If I remeber right The R is the Cyrillic letter abbreviation for the Russian word "god" which means year. It really has nothing to do with God.
It's like our "A.D." which stands for anno domini, which means "year of our lord"

[J Greer]

Originally posted by BlenderWizard@Jun 16 2005, 07:36 PM

It's like our "A.D." which stands for anno domini, which means "year of our lord"

I did not know that. :)



Any ideas what I can do with those scratches. Irritates me seeing those. I just don't want to do anyting to the finish that is there like sanding or anything. Less invasive the better

You could use denatured alcohol and wipe down the entire stock. The denatured alcohol will melt away the original russian finish which Is amber shellac, and the Alcohol will leave the wood clean and oil free (oil free on the surface atleast) without damaging the wood. Next you can use some 0000 steel wool to take down the little bit of grain that will be raised during alcohol clean up. Now you can reapply a new coat of amber shellac and restore her to her original beauty.

I agree with Blenderwizard and think you should not touch the stamped X'd out markings just so you keep her as original a possible. Besides it adds character.

Lastly I've never seen a Tula marked SKS oiler, but I'd bet there wereTula marked SKS oilers produced.

[Timberland]

no I was talking about these scatches

[Timberland]

What do you guys think, just leave them and don't do anything to the stock. And no I don't want to touch the xx's I think thats kinda cool. Thanks for all the replies. Anyone have any idea what the short brass looking thing is? Its half the lenth of a regular sks stripper clip.

[J Greer]

Yes, those are what I thought you were talking about. I'd do the following if the scratches really bother you.

You could use denatured alcohol and wipe down the entire stock. The denatured alcohol will melt away the original russian finish which is (shellac) or amber shellac, and also the alcohol will leave the wood clean and oil free (oil free on the surface atleast) without damaging the wood. Next you can use some 0000 steel wool to take down the little bit of grain that will be raised during alcohol clean up. Now you can reapply a new coat of amber shellac and restore her to her original issue beauty.

As for the short brass thing I still think its a five stripper clip to ether a Mauser or maybe a Springfield 1903 stripper clip. Maybe the original owner was using or tried to use it as a five round 7.62x39 stripper clip instead of using the true SKS stripper clips.