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Russian SKS Value?

Manoa-Fisherman
I was looking in my safe and found a Russian SKS dated 1950 with a laminated stock. I bought it around 15 years ago, when my friend brought in five of them from Century or one of the big importers back then.

It came in pretty clean, I just oiled it up and put it away. I never even shot it. I was worried back then about the corrosive ammo issues and didn't want to deal with the issue back then. The SKS has sat there ever since. Any idea of the current value?
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Best if you could post quality photos. There were different versions of the Russian imported. Some were in original condition. Most were arsenal reworks with a painted refinish. The originals being relatively uncommon would bring more money from a military rifle collector.
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  • Manoa-Fisherman
    What was the original finish like? My SKS has a flat black appearence.

    From what I remember when I got it, my friend who brought it in said that it looked like it was sitting in a warehouse and never even issued. The stock and metal work was, and is, essentially untouched. I will see if I can get around to taking a photo of it.
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  • Grasshopper
    Range --350-500. depending where you are..
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  • TWalker
    Sounds like a nice arsenal refinished Russian to me. If so, it will appear in almost like new condition, possibly with a black colored bayonet. Laminated stocks were usually put on Russian SKS's when refinished The bore is probably not chrome plated so keep it clean and oiled. It is doubtful if it was ever issued or shot after refinishing. If you pull the gas piston, it will probably be completely free of any carbon deposits. Original metal finish was blued steel with a bright unpainted bolt. Rearsenaled ones often have flat black painted metal and bolts. In my area these sell for between $375-$450 in excellent unaltered condition.
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  • ammo guy
    I would estimate the laminated "unissued" ones at around $400.00, hard wood stock at $350.00 plus or minus.
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  • Manoa-Fisherman
    Thank you all for your descriptions and comments. It appears that the SKS falls in the "arsenal refinished" catagory, since black paint seems to be the predominant surface. As mentioned, even the bayonet is painted black.

    My local gunshow is coming up and I guess this one will be on the table.
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  • CS8161
    quote:Originally posted by Manoa-Fisherman
    Thank you all for your descriptions and comments. It appears that the SKS falls in the "arsenal refinished" catagory, since black paint seems to be the predominant surface. As mentioned, even the bayonet is painted black.

    My local gunshow is coming up and I guess this one will be on the table.

    You do realize that Gunbroker sells guns also, right? Its not just forums. [;)]
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  • Manoa-Fisherman
    Yes, I realize GB is a sales site, but I want to see if a local person could appreciate it before shipping it out of state.
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  • yoshmyster
    A Norinco SKS in my neck of the woods are in the $400 range. Not that they're moving.
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  • BERT1FLORES
    I got mine in the same time frame. Back then a Chinese SK was around $79-89 but the Russian ones where around $150.
    One difference after reading this thread. My carbine has the black bolt but the blade is a raw steel/silver color. Has this combo been seen by anyone else?
    The add for these rifles back in the day said they where in very limited supply.
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  • tsr1965
    They are worth a lot more, without the importation marks. hence, if it were a war bring back, with paper's you would be looking at a bit more, even if it had character marks to tell a story.

    Best
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  • Henry0Reilly
    quote:Originally posted by BERT1FLORES
    My carbine has the black bolt but the blade is a raw steel/silver color. Has this combo been seen by anyone else?



    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=274324469

    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=274676039
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  • BERT1FLORES
    Those links you posted...the polished/chrome bolt looks very nice. As mentioned my bolt is a painted black and my bayonet does not appear as bright as those in the pictures either.

    I wonder if it would hurt the value to have by bolt polished like the ones in the link?
    Maybe even have a edge apllied to the blade and have it polished as well?

    My rifle is a 1950 Tula
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