Yooper John's SKS - Battle rifle of many nations

SECTION  17:  In this section I will try to show the differences between the same part from different arsenals, years and countries. The only purpose of this page is to help make the collector aware that differences do occur and about anything could be possible. These are ALL from my personal observations and not from any books.

SKS CLEANING KITS, CLEANING RODS and OIL BOTTLES

The various pictures below show the CLEANING KITS, CLEANING RODS and OIL BOTTLES from various makes and models of SKS's. Currently these are the only differences I have noticed. Some are only cosmetic, some have different stampings, some are shaped slightly different and some are just plain different. NOTE:  On some I have no idea as to where they are from, these are kits that I have and may or may not be original to the gun!

 

Cleaning Rods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have checked the lengths of the various cleaning rods from those SKS'sthat have them and the results are listed below.  Measured length is the total overall length of the cleaning rod.

Picture above - A is the standard SKS cleaning rod found on most models, approx 17" long

Picture above - B is the cleaning rod found on the Yugoslavian M59/66 SKS, approx 15 1/2" long

Picture above - C is the cleaning rod found on the Chinese Paratrooper variation, approx 13" long

 

Albania = 17"

Early China = 17 1/4"        Late China = 17"   (Chinese varied from between 17" and 17 1/4")

China Paratrooper = 13 1/16"

North Korea = 17"

North Vietnam = 17 1/8"

Romania = 17"

Russia = 17"

Yugoslavia M59 = 17"

Yugoslavia M59/66 = 15 5/8"

 

 

Picture on right has brush installed on rod, note muzzle protector.

Picture on left shows muzzle protector in place with handle on rod.

 

Butt Stock Cleaning Kits

 

Notice knurled muzzle protector, slotted tube bottom, brass jag and brush and

tool for rod end.  White oiler fits into butt stock with cleaning kit.

 

Note the plastic oiler and rounded bottom of tube.  UM5 stamped on oil cap.

 

Note the knurled muzzle protector and solid bottom

 

Note the plain muzzle cover and rounded solid bottom

 

Note the appearance of the cleaning tools, much less detail

 

Similar to Early Chinese

 

Resembles late Chinese except for bottom of cleaning tube

 

Different design muzzle cover and additional tool that incorporates a screwdriver

Note knurled muzzle cover and jag has a slot for cleaning rag, also note bottom

 

Note the similarity to Early Chinese except for tools and brush, flat bottom

 

Similar to 1950 except for semi-rounded bottom

 

Note the rounded bottom and the more tapered gas port tool

 

Similar to above except flatter bottom

 

Similar to North Korean kit.

 

Note the muzzle cap and the different cleaning jag

 

Note the brass cleaning tools

 

OIL BOTTLES

The oil bottle contained the necessary cleaning fluids to service the SKS rifle.  All the countries used them but they differed in shape and size.  The function was the same.  Many times Mosin Nagant oil bottles were used, especially those countries that employed that rifle.  Below are pictures I have of my own, from ones submitted to me and others found on the internet.  Jon from http://browningmgs.com/OilBottles/OB.htm said it was okay to use his pictures, and that's what I did for some.  Visit his web site to see variation and marking differences and more information.

 

   

   

Albania was a country that used the SKS and stored the oil bottle in the butt stock similar to the M1 Garand.

This one came in a white and yellow color, maybe others.  This top had UM 5 stamped into it

 

       

China used bottles that were either metal or plastic with 1 or 2 resivors

 

                       

China also used rectangular containers constructed from metal or plastic.

 

 

East Germany DDR marked guns had a cleaning kit provision in the butt stock since they were Russian issued rifles and

probably used the Russian cleaning kit.  German made SKS's had no provision for

cleaning kits or cleaning rods and used a different system which I have not seen.

 

 

 

This is a Korean oil bottle, similar to some others.

 

         

Romania used the Round bottle but also used the Nagant rectangular metal container.

 

 

           

Russia used the round metal container with either 1 or 2 compartments. The 2 compartment one is considered to be the SKS issued type.  These came with pouches made out of vinyl.  There were different shades of brown with different textures.

   

 

Vietnam issue bottle, but anything there is possible.

 

 

     

Yugoslavia issued 2 compartment type found on earlier guns made of brass

The plastic one is of different design and is the latest issue

Yugoslavian single chamber brass oilier with leather pouch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go to SKS page 18 more info on the SKS stock.

 

SKS MAIN MENU



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YooperJ
Started in 1999 by [Yooper John's]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04 Mar 2016 12:54:28 -0600 .