Bought 2 Ruski SKS's - info wanted

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mhowarth

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So as titled, I bought two Ruski SKS's. Both were produced in 1954. One is a Tula, the other is an Izzy. Both have all numbers matching, with no signs of forced matching. There isn't a sanded down, or X'd number anywhere on them. They do have the refurb markings (square with a diagnol line through it) on the left side of the stock near the screw head just below the rear sight.

Any ideas on the rarity of these pieces? I dont have pics at the moment, but both are in amazing condition with hardwood stocks in virtually mint condition.

The font on all the numbers appears to all be the same, and there is no sign of them having being fired. The chome barrels look great with a shiny finish and near mint looking rifling. The bolt hasnt got any sign of use either with no ring around the pin from having fired corrisive ammo. They both have slightly golden coloured boynets (The Tula in particular), and deep bluing that is in great shape.

I was originally planning on using the Tula as a shooter, and stashing the Izzy away as a collectors piece. I'm thinking now, they both may have more value as collectors pieces.

Should i keep these two as collectors, and buy a 3rd to shoot?! I dont want to devalue either of them as they seem to be rare to find in this condition.

Thanks for your input!

-Mark
 
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I have a 55/56 Tula. No forced match, laminate stock, pinned properly, mint and as pretty as an SKS could be. I entertained putting it away as a "collector", but then gave my head a shake. These things are shooters and I have no regrets pumping the surplus down the pipe on mine. Just too fun to shoot, and so long as you don't abuse your's you are not going to reduce significantly what limited value it may have in the future as a collector's item. You can be sure your guns have been fired at sometime or another. While they may have only sat in a warehouse for years, they have been apart on an armourer's bench and subsequently test fired at the very least. Look for electropenciling on the gas op rod, trigger group and/or bolt which is a dead giveaway.
 
I've looked them up and down and havnt come across anything in the way of electro-penciling.

I really need to get some pics of them posted online here so i can make this thread worthwhile.

I suppose you're right though - i should just shoot the hell out of the Tula as per my orignal plan.
 
mhowarth said:
I've looked them up and down and havnt come across anything in the way of electro-penciling.

I really need to get some pics of them posted online here so i can make this thread worthwhile.

I suppose you're right though - i should just shoot the hell out of the Tula as per my orignal plan.
Click to expand...

Definitely - shoot the guts out of it, but still treat it right. They are just too much fun to leave in the gun safe. It's like shooting a 10/22 with some punch.

Check those internal parts like I mentioned for electro-penciling. Not force-matched mind you as those components were not numbered to begin with, just marked with the gun's serial #. That's how mine is.
 
2strklvr said:
Definitely - shoot the guts out of it, but still treat it right. They are just too much fun to leave in the gun safe. It's like shooting a 10/22 with some punch.

Check those internal parts like I mentioned for electro-penciling. Not force-matched mind you as those components were not numbered to begin with, just marked with the gun's serial #. That's how mine is.
Click to expand...

I've opened up the bolt and both pieces have the matching serial numbers stamped into them.

I'll see what i can do to get the pics uploaded this evening when im home from work.
 
mhowarth said:
. They do have the refurb markings (square with a diagnol line through it) on the left side of the stock near the screw head just below the rear sight.
Click to expand...

i dont think this is a refurb mark but i like to see a pic of it .
 
mhowarth said:
I've opened up the bolt and both pieces have the matching serial numbers stamped into them.

I'll see what i can do to get the pics uploaded this evening when im home from work.
Click to expand...

Huh. My bolt carrier is stamped with the serial # , but I don't think that my bolt is. I'll have to check the next time I have it apart. For sure there are no stamped #'s that have been ###'ed out and then electro-penciled.
 
Defniately no electro pencil.
Every number on both of them has been stamped on, and as i mentioned not one X'd serial number can be found.

I'll throw some pics up later on when I get home.

haha one of my co-workers just said to me "Every time i walk by your desk theres a gun on your screen". My reply "...yup". haha
 
Don't shoot them!! Store them in a hyperbaric chamber until their value is highest, and you can retire, a very rich man.
 
Hey mhowarth,
Did you buy them for an investment,
for collecting, or to shoot? For me
it would be like having a 63 split
window Corvette and leaving it
in the garage. In short i would
stash the Izzy and blast the
Tula. IMHO.. Esque
 
Tula photos:

tula1.jpg

tula2.jpg

tula3.jpg

tula4.jpg

tula5.jpg

tula6.jpg

tula7.jpg

tula8.jpg

tula9.jpg


Izzy photos:

izzy1.jpg

izzy2.jpg

izzy3.jpg

izzy5.jpg

izzy6.jpg

izzy7.jpg

izzy8.jpg

izzy9.jpg

izzy10.jpg

izzy11.jpg


As i mentioned the wood is in great shape on both rifles.

Thoughts gentlemen?
 
wow , they are sure pretty , even the frankken pin dont look so bad.

who imported them in or where did you buy them from ?

where is the pic of the refurb mark?
 
Curtton said:
wow , they are sure pretty , even the frankken pin dont look so bad.

who imported them in or where did you buy them from ?

where is the pic of the refurb mark?
Click to expand...

I bought them from LeBaron at their Mississauga location. I'm going to take a pic of what I thought is the refurb markings now... 1 minute...

Tula stamp:
tulastamp.jpg

Izzy stamp:
izzystamp.jpg

Together:
together.jpg
 
After seeing the Pics.
Don't shoot either.
Get a Norinco or other
Chinese SKS and shoot away.
PS. Both are excellent
examples of collectable
SKS's
 
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