Russian SKS, Type 45

This is a Russian Type 45 SKS (Samozaryadnyi Karabin Sistemi Simonova Obrazets 1945).  The Russian Type 45 was the first SKS rifle produced en masse for any military.  Full-scale production ran from around 1949 to 1955.  There were some earlier experimental models, as well as some later export models (and refurbishment).  But the Russian military mass-produced the SKS-45 during these years before the AK-47 replaced it. The rifle pictured below is one of the early Tula models.  This example is regretfully not in its original configuration.  A previous owner had replaced the receiver cover with a Chinese piece, in order to mount a scope.  He also chopped off the end of the barrel, which held the front sight and bayonet lug, and replaced the original wood handguard with a perforated metal one.  Because the Russian SKS has the date stamp on the (missing) receiver cover, I am unable to positively identify the year of manufacture.  However, through some meticulous research I am fairly certain that it is a 1951 model.  It has the milled cutout on the left side of the receiver that is typical of the early years (as well as the early style 45-degree gas block), but it also has a late-model bolt with free-floating firing pin, as well as a chrome barrel.  Considering the features I just mentioned, I would place it no earlier than 1951, and definitely no later.  I have seen many examples of 1952 models that had the curved gas block, so if it is a 1952 model, they made that change halfway through the production year.  This is a refurb, as it has a black bolt and carrier, force-matched parts, and a replacement stock with wrist pin (which carries a refurb mark of the box with a diagonal slash). This first picture shows it in its original stock with original fixed magazine.  The non-original parts on it are the scope, receiver cover, butt extension, sling, bipod, and handguard.  The propaganda posters in the background give it a little boost in the history department, to make up for the missing pieces.

Now here's a picture of it wearing a Choate Dragunov stock, with 30-round detachable zytel magazine and heavy-duty stainless steel recoil brake.  This was the configuration it was in when I purchased it.  I do not keep it in this configuration normally, since I prefer original military configuration.

Here's a close-up of the left side of the receiver, showing the milled cut-out that I mentioned above.

And here's a picture of the butt pad extension.  It's rather unique.  It uses the toolkit trapdoor/hole in the buttstock, and has a rod that extends into the stock.  It is held in place by a set screw in the top of the stock.  To extend/retract this butt plate, you just loosen the set screw.  It's very handy, although not original.

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