East German, Romanian, Bulgarian SKS

C

c1a1

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Lower Nicola, B.C.
I have the chance to buy some SKS rifles, as a collector is downsizing. My problem is that I do not know the fair market price, or what to offer. For sale are
1- East german
2- Bulgarian c/w issue scope
3- Romanian c/w issue scope.
Thanks in advance for any information, and prices.
 
Bulgaria did not make an SKS. It could have been issued to the Bulgarians, but will be Russian in origin. I am also unaware of an issued scope for a Romanian or a Russian (as the Bulgarian rifle is not actually made in Bulgaria) SKS. Finally, East German SKS carbines are absurdly rare. I have heard unsubstantiated tell of at least one in Canada, but have seen no proof. There's something like under 70 identified East German Karabiner S rifles in the entire United States, as well. If you have a line on an actual Kar.S in Canada, which I will be honest - I doubt, you are one hell of a lucky guy. The seller can ask pretty well what he wants, in that case.

Frankly, this sounds pretty fishy. With what I know about the SKS, which is perhaps a bit more than the average bear, I wouldn't offer anything. Get some pics, share them with us if possible. I'm very curious.
 
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What Andurp said. As well the whole "East German" connection has been called into question with recent documentation of the Triangle 1 symbol as having been another Russian refurbishment depot mark, and not East German. Consensus is that if you bought an "East German" SKS you just bought a Russian SKS Refurbished variant so not as valuable as thought. Again there is still a quite a bit of debate but the East German connection was a best guess to begin with.
 
ljones said:
What Andurp said. As well the whole "East German" connection has been called into question with recent documentation of the Triangle 1 symbol as having been another Russian refurbishment depot mark, and not East German. Consensus is that if you bought an "East German" SKS you just bought a Russian SKS Refurbished variant so not as valuable as thought. Again there is still a quite a bit of debate but the East German connection was a best guess to begin with.
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I believe those were Mosins. East Germans SKS's can be identified, but they're just super rare. They scrapped them when the wall fell and sent the ones they didn't scrap to the Balkans, and nobody knows what happened to them from there. Most if not all of the ones in North America are Vietnam bringbacks.
 
Andurp said:
I believe those were Mosins. East Germans SKS's can be identified, but they're just super rare. They scrapped them when the wall fell and sent the ones they didn't scrap to the Balkans, and nobody knows what happened to them from there. Most if not all of the ones in North America are Vietnam bringbacks.
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Nope SKS's refurbished at "Liski" arsenal... new info Aug-Sept 2014 h ttp://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=109529.0

East Germany most certainly used some but those identified as Ex DDR by the triangle 1 and the horizontal serial number are being reconsidered as maybe now being refurbished SKS's from the Liski refurbishment arsenal.
 
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c1a1 said:
I have the chance to buy some SKS rifles, as a collector is downsizing. My problem is that I do not know the fair market price, or what to offer. For sale are
1- East german.
2- Bulgarian c/w issue scope
3- Romanian c/w issue scope.
Thanks in advance for any information, and prices.
Click to expand...

Issue scope, Bulgarian?

You need to get pictures.
 
Yeah if you check some of the hardcore American SKs boards you'll see a lot of questions of the reality of DDR SKSs.
I would run away from any "DDR" SKSs that were asking over $200.

IF there IS such thing as an East German made SKS (doubtful) the only thing that would make it valuable (mostly to an American collector but getting it into his/her hands would be sketchy at best. Of course IF an American said I'll give you $1500 for it and I'll come get it or have my brother in law pick it up from you...I guess it would be worth the "provenance" :roll eyes:
Other than that "value" though... I don't think you'd be any happier shooting or looking at an SKS that was supposedly made in the former East Germany.

There's another current thread talking about SKS prices SOARING. They mention the Chinese ones drying-up over here.
I have never held or shot a Chinese SKS but I have seen plenty of video comparisons between the Eastern Euros and the Chinese units and...WHY would anyone (Americans sure don't but that might just be market driven...you know, because it's harder for them to get Russian ANYTHING but even their FLAGS are Made in CHINA) want a stamped sheet metal receivered SKS over a nice milled one?
Back in the good old days we could buy Chinese AKS (AK47 Stamped receiver) rifles. Similar differences to the SKS rifles in that the Norinco AKs were stamped and the soviet AKMs were machined receivers. If anyone in their right mind was given the choice between a Soviet made, MILLED receivered AK (or SKS) AK over a Stamped Chinese one at similar procepoints...well I cant think of anyONE or anyREASON (other than maybe price or availability) to pick a Stamped Chinese firearm over one with a Milled receiver regardless of where it was made.

My $0.02. YMMV
 
smokestack said:
Yeah if you check some of the hardcore American SKs boards you'll see a lot of questions of the reality of DDR SKSs.
I would run away from any "DDR" SKSs that were asking over $200.

IF there IS such thing as an East German made SKS (doubtful) the only thing that would make it valuable (mostly to an American collector but getting it into his/her hands would be sketchy at best. Of course IF an American said I'll give you $1500 for it and I'll come get it or have my brother in law pick it up from you...I guess it would be worth the "provenance" :roll eyes:
Other than that "value" though... I don't think you'd be any happier shooting or looking at an SKS that was supposedly made in the former East Germany.

There's another current thread talking about SKS prices SOARING. They mention the Chinese ones drying-up over here.
I have never held or shot a Chinese SKS but I have seen plenty of video comparisons between the Eastern Euros and the Chinese units and...WHY would anyone want a stamped sheet metal receivered SKS over a nice milled one?
Back in the good old days we could buy Chinese AKS (AK47 Stamped receiver) rifles. Similar differences to the SKS rifles in that the Norinco AKs were stamped and the soviet AKMs were machined receivers. If anyone in their right mind was given the choice between a Soviet made, MILLED receivered AK (or SKS) AK over a Stamped Chinese one at similar procepoints...well I cant think of anyONE or anyREASON (other than maybe price or availability) to pick a Stamped Chinese firearm over one with a Milled receiver regardless of where it was made.

My $0.02. YMMV
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Behold! The Karabiner-S

DJY193-Z-F2-L.jpg


2_DDR_s_002.JPG



As for the stamped sheet metal receiver Type-56. It's a collectors piece. Very few made.
 
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smokestack said:
Yeah if you check some of the hardcore American SKs boards you'll see a lot of questions of the reality of DDR SKSs.
I would run away from any "DDR" SKSs that were asking over $200.

IF there IS such thing as an East German made SKS (doubtful) the only thing that would make it valuable (mostly to an American collector but getting it into his/her hands would be sketchy at best. Of course IF an American said I'll give you $1500 for it and I'll come get it or have my brother in law pick it up from you...I guess it would be worth the "provenance" :roll eyes:
Other than that "value" though... I don't think you'd be any happier shooting or looking at an SKS that was supposedly made in the former East Germany.

There's another current thread talking about SKS prices SOARING. They mention the Chinese ones drying-up over here.
I have never held or shot a Chinese SKS but I have seen plenty of video comparisons between the Eastern Euros and the Chinese units and...WHY would anyone (Americans sure don't but that might just be market driven...you know, because it's harder for them to get Russian ANYTHING but even their FLAGS are Made in CHINA) want a stamped sheet metal receivered SKS over a nice milled one?
Back in the good old days we could buy Chinese AKS (AK47 Stamped receiver) rifles. Similar differences to the SKS rifles in that the Norinco AKs were stamped and the soviet AKMs were machined receivers. If anyone in their right mind was given the choice between a Soviet made, MILLED receivered AK (or SKS) AK over a Stamped Chinese one at similar procepoints...well I cant think of anyONE or anyREASON (other than maybe price or availability) to pick a Stamped Chinese firearm over one with a Milled receiver regardless of where it was made.

My $0.02. YMMV
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So much fail, so little time. Chinese stamped SKS's are a relatively rare variation (which makes them collectible). The vast majority of Chinese SKS's are made to the same design as Russian SKS's - this being largely because the Russians provided China with it's first SKS factory and showed them how to run it. As far as AK's go, the vast majority of AK pattern rifles were, and sill are, made from stamped receivers. Properly made guns with stamped receivers work just fine.
 
The stamped sheet-metal Type 56's are actually just as reliable as any other SKS. They just weigh a little less and are awesome collectors items.
 
There has to be a sh*t load of SKS's floating around, all this "Chinese are drying up" I guess that means No more Ever being Imported into Canada? Or is this just a means to drive up the prices for those who have a few extra's to sell? lol. I remember buying Chinese SKS's over 20 years ago for $100, sometimes $80 at gun shows, & there was no shortage then, as there isn't now..I'd say a pretty steady supply from then until now, All types of different manufactured SKS's. Even those Cheap 'Hunter' SKS D's, {different then the Normal Model D you usual see} of which I never see any offered for sale. but I guess supply & demand. There has got to be already allot here. IF those ones being offered for sale do exist, This may indeed be an actual case of Supply & Demand. Buy them all!
 
How much money did an Enfield cost 20 years ago? Prices go up.

Importation of Chinese SKS has stopped as China's disteributors have upped the price substantially.

While Russian prices have stayed the same, quality is dropping. Russian "molot" guns look nothing like the quality the Ukranian and Polish suppliers were sending. Rust and laser etchings are less desirable.
 
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