What do you make of my new SKS?

[fchan]

Hey guys,

I picked up another SKS recently because I was looking for a stock to refinish as a side project. After cleaning it up, it seems to be a lot better than I initially expected, and seems to be an unfired, non-refurbished, un-issued SKS (based on what I have read through the SKS FAQ).

All the serial numbers match, stamped SNs on the mag, trigger guard, dust cover and action. The indexing marks where the barrel is mated to the receiver is there and lined up too. The only thing i'm confused about is the black bayonet. I dont see any refurb marks anywhere on the rifle either. Perhaps one of you red rifle experts could shed some light on what I have.

Would this be better off with a collector? Or would I be ok to shoot and refinish this thing? Oh! And I forgot to mention, it seems it has been pinned internally by adding a metal tab under the follower. It was not welded, but actually pinned to the follower.

 

[chadeech]

well if all numbers match and there is no refurb mark i would say pack it away unless you have no others to shoot and don't want to collect
in which case biy another and sell it off or shoot and enjoy and don't think any more of it

 

[xdmer]

Another fine SKS

 

[Canadiankeeper]

Hey if my receiver has no marks on it at all is it original ?

 

[Knuckles Muldoon]

what no cleaning rod? Great looking rifle!

 

[wbaad]

stock looks like replacement

 

[walleyed99]

Black bayo means it has been refurbed, as does the stock. It has been changed out or at the least sanded and re numbered as the cartouches are no longer present. But it is a nice specimen. Shoot it and enjoy it

 

[pc9]

I have 4 like that.
Was told they are refurbs because of the black bayo. Other than the bayo there are no refurb marks and all matching numbers.

 

[fchan]

what no cleaning rod? Great looking rifle!

Forgot to put the rod back in for the pictures. Rest assured it came complete with sling, oiler, cleaning kt etc

stock looks like replacement

But no ###### marks or any refurb stamp anywhere. Does that happen?

Black bayo means it has been refurbed, but it is a nice specimen. Shoot it and enjoy it

Interesting. The peen marks on the bayonet lug line up perfectly though. Seems to be exactly same thing as this guys:
h ttp://www.theakforum.net/forums/60-sks/138165-re-furb-not.html
As his, mine is not painted black like some of the refurb ones we've seen

 

[skneub]

send it to me for testing

 

[ShotgunNut]

Forgot to put the rod back in for the pictures. Rest assured it came complete with sling, oiler, cleaning kt etc



But no ###### marks or any refurb stamp anywhere. Does that happen?



Interesting. The peen marks on the bayonet lug line up perfectly though. Seems to be exactly same thing as this guys:
h ttp://www.theakforum.net/forums/60-sks/138165-re-furb-not.html
As his, mine is not painted black like some of the refurb ones we've seen

What are the ### marks all about anyway?

 

[walleyed99]

A non refurb will have a Tula star cartouche on the side with the serial number on the stock. On the opposite side there would be a final inspection cartouche. Around the cross bolts there would also be a couple of cartouches. I may be able to point out a couple other things if I looked at in person , that said its a nice one so shoot it and enjoy it!

 

[fchan]

A non refurb will have a Tula star cartouche on the side with the serial number on the stock. On the opposite side there would be a final inspection cartouche. Around the cross bolts there would also be a couple of cartouches. I may be able to point out a couple other things if I looked at in person , that said its a nice one so shoot it and enjoy it!

Thanks, I was thinking It would be too easy for me to luck out like that. Looks like I've got a fine candidate for a stock refinishing project. I've already done one and love the way it looks, so this one will likely get the same sandpaper treatment before I shoot it. Aside from the stock though, it seems like everything else is original. Still confused on the black bayo, but all the peen marks line up and seem to point at being original...

Pics will be posted once it's done

 

[fchan]

What are the ### marks all about anyway?

Typically when they refurb an sks, they take a stock from another rifle that is still in serviceable condition. They will stamp a bunch of "X"s over the original serial number of the stock, and then stamp a new serial number matching the rifle they are refurbishing

 

[EL34/6L6]

Refurb stamping was not always 100% consistent. My bet is that its a "clean" refurb.

 

[walleyed99]

Refurb stamping was not always 100% consistent. My bet is that its a "clean" refurb.

Exactly what I was thinking!!

 

[bobdbldr]

###s are there sometimes but I have a couple black Bayo refurbs and they are done very well in my experience if you look at the serial # on the stock you will see it is belt sanded down and will be a bit thinner than the rest of the stock. That is where they sanded off the old # and restamped the new one. I really like the black Bayo and the factory that refurbed them seem to have done a nice job on the blueing and rest of the refurb! Enjoy it!
By the way, that bore looks great for a non chromed one, looks new, maybe it was replaced in refurb,,, bonus!

 

[The Kurgan]

An average, but nice, refurb (sanded, restamped stock, black bayonet, and I'm sure other things I cannot see in the photos). Nothing collectible about it. Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[The Kurgan]

BTW, I have two spare cleaning rods. If you want one, let me know.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Black bayo means it has been refurbed, as does the stock. It has been changed out or at the least sanded and re numbered as the cartouches are no longer present. But it is a nice specimen. Shoot it and enjoy it

Always figure the blotchy stock is a give away. Internals don't look bright and crisp like a new gun either.

Grizz