not a 100% on this either but I believe thats how they Matched rifle to scope by re-serializing the receiver on the side to match the scope, Mine has been re-serialized twice as it is on its second scope. The Tula's also have special sniper markings on the receiver but not so with the Izhvesk models.Am I wrong or all the snipers SN#s on the side of receivers- off set?













