Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this semi-automatic rifle today for a penny-start auction, this is the Tula Arsenal SKS-45 "Letter Series."
The Soviet "Letter Series" SKS rifles represent the absolute pinnacle and final evolution of Russian SKS development. Manufactured exclusively during the final years of active production at the historic Tula Arms Plant (1956–1958), these specific variants are highly coveted by military surplus enthusiasts for their unique mechanical refinements and short production windows. As part of a mid-1950s Soviet standardization effort, the military moved away from stamping explicit four-digit years onto the receiver covers. Instead, these late-era rifles were built with blank dust covers, utilizing a distinct Cyrillic letter suffix at the end of the serial number to designate the exact year of manufacture. Incorporating all final design updates—including the robust, late-era milled trigger groups and fully optimized bolt carriers—the Letter Series stands out as a distinctly scarce and historically significant subset of Soviet firearms history, making any example an essential centerpiece for a serious military surplus collection.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Tula Arsenal
Model: SKS-45 "Letter Series"
Serial: YP1427
Model: SKS-45 "Letter Series"
Serial: YP1427
Date of Manufacture: 1957 (According to the date code)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 20 1/2" Barrel with Folding Blade Bayonet
Optics/Sights: Hooded Post Front with Adjustable Tangent Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wood
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number "YP1427", alongside a five-pointed star mark and various other letters such as "OOR", "i" and a reversed "N". The back of the dust cover is marked "YP1427". The left side of the stock is marked with the serial number "YP1427". The bottom of the gas tube has been electro-penciled and appears to be marked "YP1422". The magazine and trigger guard are marked "YP1427. The bottom of the barrel is marked "C.A.I.ST.ALB. VT / SKS 7.62x39 RUSSIA".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The SKS-45 is a gas-operated, semi-automatic carbine chambered in 7.62×39mm, designed by Sergei Simonov in the early 1940s. After seeing limited, live-fire combat trials against German forces on the 1st Belorussian Front in 1945, it was officially adopted by the Soviet Union in 1949. Celebrated by collectors for its milled receiver and short-stroke gas piston, defining "as-issued" factory traits include a permanently attached folding blade bayonet and a hinged, fixed 10-round magazine. Because it lacked select-fire capability, the Soviet military relegated the SKS to second-line status, border guards, and ceremonial use following the mass adoption of the AK-47. Total Soviet production reached approximately 2.7 million units, split between Tula Arsenal (1949–1955 active production; with 1956–1958 "letter series" variants) and the highly coveted, much rarer Izhevsk Arsenal (1953–1954 only). Heavily licensed throughout the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War, millions more were produced—most notably the Chinese Type 56, which evolved from early Soviet-supplied tooling (Sino-Soviet variants) to late-production models featuring spiked "pig-sticker" bayonets and pinned barrels. Today, the SKS has graduated from its 1990s status as a cheap $99 utility rifle to a highly actively collected piece of military surplus.
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 20 1/2" Barrel with Folding Blade Bayonet
Optics/Sights: Hooded Post Front with Adjustable Tangent Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Wood
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number "YP1427", alongside a five-pointed star mark and various other letters such as "OOR", "i" and a reversed "N". The back of the dust cover is marked "YP1427". The left side of the stock is marked with the serial number "YP1427". The bottom of the gas tube has been electro-penciled and appears to be marked "YP1422". The magazine and trigger guard are marked "YP1427. The bottom of the barrel is marked "C.A.I.ST.ALB. VT / SKS 7.62x39 RUSSIA".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The SKS-45 is a gas-operated, semi-automatic carbine chambered in 7.62×39mm, designed by Sergei Simonov in the early 1940s. After seeing limited, live-fire combat trials against German forces on the 1st Belorussian Front in 1945, it was officially adopted by the Soviet Union in 1949. Celebrated by collectors for its milled receiver and short-stroke gas piston, defining "as-issued" factory traits include a permanently attached folding blade bayonet and a hinged, fixed 10-round magazine. Because it lacked select-fire capability, the Soviet military relegated the SKS to second-line status, border guards, and ceremonial use following the mass adoption of the AK-47. Total Soviet production reached approximately 2.7 million units, split between Tula Arsenal (1949–1955 active production; with 1956–1958 "letter series" variants) and the highly coveted, much rarer Izhevsk Arsenal (1953–1954 only). Heavily licensed throughout the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War, millions more were produced—most notably the Chinese Type 56, which evolved from early Soviet-supplied tooling (Sino-Soviet variants) to late-production models featuring spiked "pig-sticker" bayonets and pinned barrels. Today, the SKS has graduated from its 1990s status as a cheap $99 utility rifle to a highly actively collected piece of military surplus.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1191979002 |
BidPrice: |
105 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-08-09 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
505 |
SoldOutTime: |
2026-08-09 17:23:06 |
