Sino Soviet SKS ?

I just purchased an SKS from Classic Arms. It was a "select by matching numbers" for an extra $20. They matched the spring cover, receiver, trigger guard and magazine. When I got it I found that it also matched the bolt and was stamped on the stock, all matching. The wood is ugly but is still coverd in cosmoline so it may clean up. Most of the bluing is gone from the receiver and spring cover. The bayonet and cleaning rod are there but the cleaning kit is missing.

The serial number is E1968. There are no other markings on the gun, no armory marks, no importer marks, no inspector marks.

In reading on the Internet I think I have found a rare gun?

I am afraid to touch it until I hear from knowledgable people. I would like to sand and varnish the stock and reblue the receiver, but wont if this will harm its value.

I was just looking to buy a beater SKS that I could modify with a larger mag (I live in Texas) and other simple changes, but I sure wont if this is a valuable gun. I only paid a "beater" price for it.

One of two things comes to mind. One, the SKS is a Russian imported Chinese made rifle when they first started making SKS' under Russian assistance. I don't think these are valuable, but they might be.

What is MUCH more likely however, is that your SKS has been re-arsenaled with a refinished/replaced stock. The soviets didn't use markings on their replacement parts for some reason. If the stock is brighter than a soviet original (slightly orangeish instead of red) this is the case. I own one of these.

Either way, unless you find a collector that really cares, I don't think either is worth more over a standard Chinese Norinco or a Yugo. All SKS varieties are commanding a higher price due to their utility as a sporter's rifle alone. The thing is practically an AK-47 fed by stripper clips.