Is this a Collectable SKS

G

gi jeeper

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I just picked up a laminated stock SKS. The manufacturer was supposed to be Izhevsk but I don't know where to look to check that. The rifle has a 1953 stamp on the rear receiver cover. The stock, receiver and the top and bottom bolt all have matching numbers. The bottom bolt half (non chromed part) has the number electropenciled in as well as an actual stamp so everything looks original. The bottom of the magazine has a different number with 5 or 6 digits. There are virtually no wear marks in the receiver indicating the rifle has been used. The stock has a chip and the usual bad shellac job, but otherwise is solid.

My understanding was laminates were refurbs until 1955 when they were standard issue. I find it curious that the stock number matches the others. Also the lack of wear marks and shiny blueing where the bolt moves on the receiver makes me think the rifle was never issued or just test fired.

I bought the rifle as a cheap shooter. Should I put this one away as a collector and get another one, or should I start pounding on it. If its some kind of rare gem, I don't want to mess with it. I saw an SKS sell for 3K on a US site so in 10-20 years, and after guys bubba most of the rifles on the market, these things might have some value.

What do you think?
 
Refurb. It isn't uncommon to see the stock serial number match. It has no ###xx as it wasn't numbered previously. Just a new stock force matched during refurb.

US prices are up because there is no supply. Canadian supply won't run out.

Oh wait, Ukraine is out, Poland had but is out already and Russian supply is laser etched and poorer quality. And China.... No supply to us.

Things to consider...
 
Izhevsk SKS are a bit more rare than Tula SKS. However, at the end of the day, it doesn't mater if it was made in Japan or Canada, its still a Honda Civic. To some degree, all SKS can be collectible.

I have two non-refurbished SKS, arguably un-issued. I shoot both. No point in buying a gun to not use it. Even my Lee Enfield No1 MK III gets used on a regular basis and its worth more than both of my SKS combined.
 
From what I've been reading, 53 is the rarer year of Izhevsk. 20k made, and it's quite difficult to find one that isn't a refurb. I just got one myself which is all matching, in numbers. But I'm sure it's been refurbed in some way. It doesn't have a refurb mark on it anywhere. But the wood on the gas tube was replaced with Laminate by the look of it. And the stock, despite not having ###X's has no markings beyond the serial number. No stars, nothing, no inspection marks. Just a very plain hardwood stock.

A 53 is still nice to have. I honestly don't plan to do much if any shooting with mine. If you've got one that's in pristine mechanical condition, It's still a 53, no sense abusing it or wearing it out, not when shooter grade guns are cheap and easy to come by. Save the abuse for the barbecue painted Frankensteins.
 
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