Just picked up a 1949 all matching sks from a family member who had it stashed away. Looks to be unfired as the bolt and bore are in excellent condition. Any thoughts on what these are worth? Anything else cool about hem that I should know about?
1949 sks
- Thread starter rethius
- Start date
walleyed99
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- I'm not telling, Sask
Depends on if it has all matching parts, the original 90 degree gas system, slim forestock barrel, magazine pinning method, spike bayo or blade bayo. Amongst many more things. Post some detailed up close pics of both sides, and fairly close up and let us have a look
Here's mine
Here's mine
I've been trying to justify buying one of these vs. two 1950-1956 for the same price. The whole deal with 1949's is that prices are artificially inflated by the dealers who sell them because of rarity and demand, as evidenced in this thread. You can bet your last dollar that Yuri and Sergei were not charging the importers any extra for whatever 1949's happened to be in the crate when these shipped out. The whole 1949 manufacture date premium (200% price increase) became a "thing" once they were landed and buyers/dealers started figuring out the numbers of 1949-made units vs. the rest of the inventory.
From a sports shooter's perspective, you're much better off with later models; they have all the updates + chrome-lined bores for the most part. Recently a few friends of mine decided to buy their first SKS's to plink with and asked my opinion, I steered them directly for the latest production dates possible because of reasons stated. Plus, in any SHTF/survival scenario, a 1952+ with all the bugs figured out and a longer lasting "maintenance-free" bore would be a much more prized possession than any 1949 first model year.
That being said, I'd love a 1949 in my safe... but for the price, I think I'd rather see 2x 1950-1956 parked there instead, lol! In 10-20 years from now they will all be worth quite a bit more than they are now, but the manufacture dates will not matter as much anymore in terms of value... people will just be happy to get their hands on any of them in good condition and will pay top dollar regardless of production years, kind of like you see with M1 Garands nowadays.
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90 degree gas blocks were from very early 50 and back so all 49 should have the 90 not 45. Maybe you are looking at the small bit at the very top of the block that has a small 45 bevel! Look up at the stickies at the top of this page and you will see a stickie about Russian SKS types and differences, in there will be a description of the gas blocks!
Post a pic up so we can give you a better idea. Walleyed99 listed a few things that will affect value. A run of the mill, incorrect stock/refurb/frankenpin average-ish '49 is worth less than $450, as evidenced by Westrifle being unable to sell the remaining ones they have at that price. Better/more original ones sell for $450 easily, and nicer ones yet will sell for more still.
Yes, your gas block isn't 49, nor the stock or bayo, heavy refurb, even the dust cover latch doesn't have the hole in it! The only thing that looks original is the cover, does the bolt have a spring on the firing pin? Nice refurb though, I like the blued bayo's, I have a couple and they are very noce looking!Finally got a couple pics. All matching numbers. But what's with the gas block and laminate stock?
Could you look on the back of the dust cover and see if that number matches the serial# on the receiver? If they do, you have one strange and rare SKS!
