So, if you are going to collect and "all year" sampling of Russian SKS's, there are 10 potential carbines you must have. I guess I'll list them so any new folks getting started can see. They start in 1949 and go to 1955/56 no date top cover (whatever you believe it to end at).
1. 1949 Tula
2. 1950 Tula
3. 1951 Tula
4. 1952 Tula
5. 1953 Tula
6. 1953 Izhevsk (Izhevsk)
7. 1954 Tula
8. 1954 Izhevsk (Izhevsk)
9. 1955 Tula (dated top cover)
10. 1955/56 (no date on top cover)
All of these SKS's would constitute a full "all years" complete set. Now, when you are dealing with a variant like the Ex-DDR, which are much more scarce, it made for an interesting challenge. Some years I hadn't even seen a sample of a DDR, so to start collecting DDR's, not even knowing if a full set was possible, was intriguing to me. For obvious rarity reason's, a 1949 seemed like the one FOR SURE hole I'd always have, so I was resigned to try and find all the others. I eventually found a 1949 DDR and thanks to a great friend of mine who knew I loved DDR SKS's, he made his extremely rare and valuable 1949 available to me for purchase.
Now, one other side variant, that was also not known to exist, by me, were the 1955/56 "Letter Series". I had never seen one in an Ex-DDR before. A good friend of mine in PA told me about two DDR's still in their original KBI import boxes at a store he consults on milsurp's for. I didn't even see pictures of them before I committed to purchasing them. It took several months of paying them off on layaway, so the first time I ever saw them was when I picked them up from my FFL. I was surprised to find that BOTH of them were the "Letter Series" SKS's. One is a letter "D" and the other is a letter "I". So, that put me into a bit of tailspin having never previously known them to exist. I wondered, "Does that now mean I have to find an additional carbine (letter "K") in order to complete a set?" We know, or think we know, that the very last SKS carbine of the Russian assembly line is a letter "K". I have yet to see a "K" in DDR. Finding one would complete a "side" variant DDR collection. I figured that I would stick to my original plan of having a full years set, first, then look for a "K" as time goes on.
The last carbine variant of mention are the Russian SKS's made at the Izhevsk (Izhevsk) plant. Only made two years, starting half way through '53, Izhevsk's are rare in comparison to Tula SKS's. I have the great fortune to have two 1954 Izhevsk DDR's, one in each of the known colors, Blond/Amber & Red/Garnet. The "technically speaking" missing year in my collection, is a 1953 Izhevsk DDR. I have never seen one before, but I believe one exists. I imagine it would probably be as rare as a 1949 DDR, so I don't hold out much hope of ever spotting one.
I have posted a few photo's of the collection below, but please note, there is one other additional and particularly special carbine added to the mix. I also own a 1957 Romanian with DDR features and since it is sequentially the "next" year after the end of the Russian's, it holds a neat place in my collection. I've also been told that this is a very rare, perhaps never before seen carbine, in of itself. I believe I may know where one other possible Romanian DDR lives, but not confirmed.
This is the culmination of many many hours of scouring the net, local boards, want ads, forums, Gunbroker, Gun auctions, networking, etc. It took me about a year to complete and I actually thought it would take longer, especially the 1949!
Pic 1
Pic 2A blonde and a redhead Izhevsk. The blonde is one of only two known non-refurb Izhevsk DDR's. Mine has a black bayonet added by the East Germans, so some would say it's no longer a non-refurb. I do not believe this to be a refurbishment item, but an "added" item. It's unique, nonetheless, even if it's no longer "as-issued" from Mother Russia.
Pic 3Notice the far right SKS has a 1950 top cover. It was match restamped onto the cover, but the carbine is a Letter "I"
Pic 4In order by year, bottom SKS is the 1949 and ends with the 1957 Romanian, at top.
Pic 5Decided to take them all outside in more natural light. Try moving 12 SKS's AND not damaging them! I left the Romanian out of this pic and tried to "color scale" them. The super blond one, is one I picked up that someone redid the stock on. They did a really good job, but even blond Izhevsk's aren't this color blond, as you can see from the blond Izhevsk sitting next to it.
Pic 6A little closer.
Pic 7
Pic 8Tried to do something artsy-fartsy, but was concerned about doing too many designs and scratching/dinging them on my deck.
Pic 9
Pic 10If you didn't notice, 8 of the SKS's are missing slings. Well, 5 of them are NIB in original KBI importer box, so the slings are still in the box. I am missing or in need of 3 Russian SKS slings, so if anyone feels charitable!
Of course I'd buy them!This collection isn't being presented as one with specimens in perfect shape. They are ALL refurbs (with the controversial exception of the '54 Izhevsk). They are all numbers matching, but a couple have e-pen'd trigger groups. As I find better examples of the years with carbines that have less desirable qualities, I will probably swap the lessers out. People may think I'm crazy for having sold 4 non-refurbs in lieu of this collection, but for me, collecting something that has value isn't always in having a perfect specimen, but just having a specimen. We are all enamored by the SKS or else we wouldn't be here. Even if you only own a "bubba", just know you still own one of the best designed, best built semi-automatics on the planet.
I don't really know what else to comment about. The Ex-DDR variant isn't exactly a super rare variant, but I think they are worthy of recognition in their own right. I don't know if this is the first complete (save for the '53 Izhevsk) collection or not, but it would be cool to see where some of you DDR fans are at with yours!
Thanks, -Drago
Those look great and a really nice display too. 
SKS porn 
