1951 Tula SKS 7.62x39 Semi-Auto Rifle, Soviet-Made, Mostly Matching Numbers (mismatched magazine floorplate), Blade Bayonet, 20.5 in Barrel
This 1951 Tula SKS is a Soviet-made, early Cold War example with matching serial numbers on the major components, with the exception of the magazine floorplate, and classic SKS features intact. It carries the Tula star with "1951r" on the receiver cover, an arsenal refurbishment stamp, and a hardwood stock with reddish shellac. Overall condition is very good, and the bore is excellent with sharp rifling.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This 1951-dated Tula SKS presents very well for its age, with light handling wear consistent with period use.
What’s Included
- Canvas web sling (installed)
- Folding knife-blade bayonet (installed)
- Canvas double-compartment pouch
- Small leather accessory pouch
Manufactured at Tula in 1951, this SKS shows the correct Tula star and date "1951r" on the receiver cover, placing it squarely in the early Cold War era. A square-with-diagonal refurbishment stamp is present, indicating an arsenal rework at some point in its service life.
Key components are matching, including the receiver cover, receiver, bolt carrier, and trigger guard; the magazine floorplate is mismatched. This alignment of numbers, aside from the floorplate, is a desirable trait for collectors of Soviet-pattern SKS rifles.
The rifle uses a milled steel receiver with a blued finish, paired with a hardwood stock in reddish shellac and a wood upper handguard. It retains the plain muzzle crown and the classic 20.5-inch barrel length associated with the platform.
Operation is semi-automatic and gas-operated via a short-stroke piston with a tilting-bolt lockup. The rifle features a fixed 10-round internal magazine designed for charger (stripper-clip) loading, a blade-type folding bayonet, a hooded front post, and a tangent rear sight with a "П" battle setting.