The Tula SKS-45 (Samozaryadny Karabin Sistemy Simonova, 1945) is a historic, Soviet-designed gas-operated, semi-automatic carbine chambered in 7.62x39mm. Designed by Sergei Simonov during World War II, it was primarily produced at the legendary Tula Arms Plant between 1949 and 1958 to provide Soviet infantrymen with a rugged, self-loading service rifle before being ultimately superseded by the select-fire AK-47. Key Specifications Specification Details Manufacturer Tula Arms Plant (Soviet Union)Caliber7.62x39mm intermediate cartridge ActionShort-stroke gas piston, tilting bolt Capacity10-round internal, hinged box magazine Feed SystemLoaded from the top using 10-round stripper clips Barrel Length20 to 20.5 inches (later models are chrome-lined) Overall Length40 inches (100 cm) Weight~8.5 lbs (3.85 kg) unloaded Muzzle Velocity735 m/s (2,411 ft/s) Effective Range300 to 400 meters Visual and Mechanical Characteristics The Tula Stamp: Genuine Tula-manufactured SKS carbines feature the iconic Tula Arsenal Star with an Arrow stamped directly onto the top of the receiver cover, often accompanied by the year of production. Integral Folding Bayonet: A 180-degree swiveling, folding blade or knife-style bayonet is permanently mounted underneath the muzzle. Furniture: Built featuring solid hardwood or later-era laminated wood stocks. The stock features a metal buttplate complete with a spring-loaded trapdoor housing a cylindrical maintenance/cleaning kit. Iron Sights: Outfitted with a hooded-post front sight and a tangent notch rear sight graduated up to 1,000 meters. Cleaning Rod: A steel cleaning rod is nestled neatly directly below the barrel in the fore-end of the stock. Firing Pin Variation: Early Tula production variants (1949 to early 1950) utilized a spring-loaded firing pin. Tula transitioned to a free-floating firing pin system during 1950, requiring owners to keep the bolt recess clean to prevent potential "slam-fires". As is in photos shown. Numbers Matching