A couple of unfired non-refurbished Izhevsk SKS for your viewing pleasure

[bp2626]

Ballistol?? Interesting. Never heard of this. You mix it with your water? I'm gonna try it. Canadian Tire? Wal-Mart? Where do you get it? What's the mix concentration?

ballistol.ca

Well, Ballistol is the only snake oil that actually works. It doesn't harm wood or finishes, it protects wood and makes it look better. It conditions leather, it cleans carbon and other fouling, it lubes, it protects. It's all I use for everything. No harmful chemicals, biodegradable, can even be used to seal cuts. Created by the Germans during WW1 I think, hence the Ballistol name.

To make a moose milk mix I use about 15% Ballistol 85% water. I use it clean corrosive and black powder. Followed by a dry rag/patches followed by Ballistol rag/patches. Ballistol seasons over time as well (think cast iron skillet) enhancing its lubrication and protection.

It is even mildly abrasive to brass/copper to help with cleaning the bore.

 

[westrifle_sks]

Izzy is getting hard and hard to get nowadays

Al

 

[dimon]

OP's rifles have another brother I have 1954 Izhevsk, unrefurb from 2008 import. I am not an SKS collector, but ended up with two unrefurbs from 1954, one Tula and Izhevsk. Good enough for me

 

[bp2626]

^ Very nice. This is definitely the preferred pinning method for a collectible.

 

[Woodbeef]

Late 54 Izzies are fairly common. Early 54 Izzies not so common. 53 Izzies are very rare.

 

[bp2626]

Late 54 Izzies are fairly common. Early 54 Izzies not so common. 53 Izzies are very rare.

I'm not entirely sure how to differentiate. I know there was the gas tube latch switch at the end of 1954 at Tula.

I have noticed one of my 1954 the serial is "Character Character Digit Digit Digit" while the other is "Character Digit Digit Digit Character". I helped my father-in-law pick his out and it was "Character Digit Digit Digit" interestingly on his the (AN) final inspection cartouche is underneath the buttstock on the bottom of the pistol grip -- I'd never seen that before, hell, we almost passed on the rifle until I found it.

 

[Woodbeef]

I'm not entirely sure how to differentiate. I know there was the gas tube latch switch at the end of 1954 at Tula.

I have noticed one of my 1954 the serial is "Character Character Digit Digit Digit" while the other is "Character Digit Digit Digit Character". I helped my father-in-law pick his out and it was "Character Digit Digit Digit" interestingly on his the (AN) final inspection cartouche is underneath the buttstock on the bottom of the pistol grip -- I'd never seen that before, hell, we almost passed on the rifle until I found it.

Yup, it is with the serial number. Sometime in 54 for some reason Izzy changed the sequence.

 

[Syphen]

They are out there.. My local little shop got in about 20 SKS a couple years ago. He pulled out about 8 for me to look at when I was buying. One 53 Izzy in a lot of Tula. Appears unrefurb, number matching and in great shape. Snagged it for $199. Same price as the Tulas. I think that people are starting to appreciate SKS a little more then they used to be held in regard.

 

[bp2626]

They are out there.. My local little shop got in about 20 SKS a couple years ago. He pulled out about 8 for me to look at when I was buying. One 53 Izzy in a lot of Tula. Appears unrefurb, number matching and in great shape. Snagged it for $199. Same price as the Tulas. I think that people are starting to appreciate SKS a little more then they used to be held in regard.

The shellac in the stamps on the buttstock indicate that it has been refinished / refurbished but a fair amount of rifles got a reblue, a refinish and nothing else, which is hardly a big deal.

 

[Philthy1]

4 non refurbed 54 izzies in existence? C'mon man....Im guessing there must be at least 50 or more in Canada alone.

 

[bleuet001]

More than a couple of hundreds for sure.
I have 3 non-refurb Izzy 54 myself in my collection.

 

[bp2626]

4 non refurbed 54 izzies in existence? C'mon man....Im guessing there must be at least 50 or more in Canada alone.

4 with a blonde stock in Canada, not 4 in total.. probably should have PM'd me. Don't you think this was a silly comment considering other people post their examples in this thread (as they should) and I replied to them?

More than a couple of hundreds for sure.
I have 3 non-refurb Izzy 54 myself in my collection.

Total is probably somewhere around the 50-100 mark.