Tula SKS-45 7.62x39 Semi-Auto Rifle, 20.5 in Barrel, Tula Arsenal Marked, CAI St. Albans Import, Mismatched Receiver & Buttstock Serials
This Soviet-made Tula SKS-45 is a collectible example with verifiable markings and period features. It bears the Tula Arsenal star-with-arrow and an arsenal refurbishment stamp, along with the CAI St. Albans VT import mark. Notable details include non-matching serials between the receiver (BC4073) and buttstock (BC4010)—typical of a replaced Soviet SKS stock—and an early stock configuration with a belly sling swivel. It has the factory folding blade bayonet installed, and a non-factory muzzle device is presently fitted at the muzzle.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Rifling: Fair Rifling - Worn rifling, slight loss of definition.
Specific Condition Notes: The rifle shows many scratches and blemishes across the metal and wood. Rust and pitting are present across the rifle.
What’s Included
- Tula SKS-45 7.62x39 semi-automatic rifle
- Fixed, hinged 10-round internal box magazine (installed)
- Factory folding blade bayonet (installed)
- Aftermarket muzzle device/flash hider (installed)
Built at Tula Arsenal in the USSR, this SKS-45 features a milled steel receiver and a 20.5 in barrel, chambered in 7.62x39. It retains the classic fixed, hinged 10-round internal box magazine and the proven short-stroke gas piston system with a tilting bolt. In its current configuration, a non-factory flash hider/muzzle device is installed; Tula SKS-45 rifles were originally produced with a plain crowned muzzle.
Collector-relevant markings include the Tula star-with-arrow on the top cover and a square-with-diagonal refurbishment mark. The import stamp reads "CAI ST ALB VT. SKS 7.62x39 RUSSIA," indicating Century Arms International, St. Albans VT. Serials do not match between the receiver (BC4073) and buttstock (BC4010).
The hardwood stock wears an orange-brown shellac finish and follows the early pattern with a bottom-mounted (belly) sling swivel. Additional stock features include a straight comb, a grasping groove fore-end, and a steel buttplate with trap door. The wooden upper handguard over the gas tube has longitudinal cooling cuts. Length of pull measures 12.5 in.
Sighting is via a hooded front post and a tangent rear sight. The rifle is finished in blued steel throughout.