Russian Service Numbers.

**AmeliaJordan** · 02-24-2014, 02:28 PM

Hi,

I have a Russian SKS with the number "BU3597" scratched into the barrel. I was trying to trace this rifle, to maybe learn more about its particular history. And thought that this might be a service number of some sort.

My research hasn't gotten me very far, I haven't even been able to find out how the service numbers were assigned, or if this even is a service number. Anyway, I was hoping someone here might be able to help me.

Thanks.

**lithgow** · 02-24-2014, 06:09 PM

Sounds more like a rifle serial number-most armies don't allow soldiers to 'personalise' their issue weapons like that and harsh discipline was a hallmark of the Soviet forces.

**AmeliaJordan** · 02-24-2014, 11:32 PM

It does have serial numbers on it. But the number I'm talking about was roughly scratched into it. It's jagged and definitely not professional or done in a factory.

**Gunny Hartmann** · 02-24-2014, 11:42 PM

Sounds like electro pencil markings that were done when a rifle was factory refurbished!...

**AmeliaJordan** · 02-25-2014, 12:30 AM

I considered it, but it's far too squiggly. It looks as if it was done with a knife or something similar. Anyone refurbishing it wouldn't have done such a bad job of it.

**Gunny Hartmann** · 02-25-2014, 12:42 AM

Any chance of a photo please?...

**Stinkpotpete** · 02-25-2014, 01:03 AM

yup, pictures would help. Are you in the states? Is there an importers stamp on the rifle? IS the number on any other parts?

**AmeliaJordan** · 02-25-2014, 09:41 PM

I went back over the gun, and the same number is also engraved into the stock, I think. It's BN instead of BU. And no matter how much I stare at the number on the barrel I cannot turn that U into an N. That was a really crappy engraving job. Terrible! The number on the stock is almost very well done, except for the alignment. I have no idea why I didn't notice they were the same number the first time. The serial numbers on the rest of the gun, are different, can it have two different serial numbers? Did I buy a knockoff?

I am in the states, but I can't find an importers mark anywhere, though I don't really know what I'm looking for either. This is is one of the first guns I bought primarily for it's historical value.

Also, I had my dad (he's much smarter than me) look it over and he said the number on the barrel was probably done with a cheap electric engraver. (He uses them at his job on a regular basis.) So Gunny Hartman was correct there. Sorry. (I still find it hard to believe anyone would mar a gun like this!)

Any Idea why there are X's on the stock?

Again, sorry for the misinformation.

**Gunny Hartmann** · 02-25-2014, 09:49 PM

by AmeliaJordan

I went back over the gun, and the same number is also engraved into the stock, I think. It's BN instead of BU. And no matter how much I stare at the number on the barrel I cannot turn that U into an N. That was a really crappy engraving job. Terrible! The number on the stock is almost very well done, except for the alignment. I have no idea why I didn't notice they were the same number the first time. The serial numbers on the rest of the gun, are different, can it have two different serial numbers? Did I buy a knockoff?

I am in the states, but I can't find an importers mark anywhere, though I don't really know what I'm looking for either. This is is one of the first guns I bought primarily for it's historical value.

Also, I had my dad (he's much smarter than me) look it over and he said the number on the barrel was probably done with a cheap electric engraver. (He uses them at his job on a regular basis.) So Gunny Hartman was correct there. Sorry. (I still find it hard to believe anyone would mar a gun like this!)

Any Idea why there are X's on the stock?

Again, sorry for the misinformation.

Russian SKS45 ID/FAQ collectibles
Please scroll down to section 7 and all will be explained!...

As for the backwards "N" and U you can see here when hand written the N looks like a U!..

Russian alphabet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**lithgow** · 02-25-2014, 09:55 PM

The old stock serial numbers have been crossed out and a new serial number branded into the wood-the rifle has been re arsenaled/refurbished-this was a common practice with Soviet weapons before being put into long term storage-remember that the SKS rifle was pretty rapidly replaced by the AK types after about 8-10 years as the standard Soviet rifle-they never scrapped anything, just stored it away for emergency use or supply to client states.