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Hello,
I spoke with a man who claims to have for sale a 1944 production Russian SKS. I would like to know if that is possible, and how much one would be worth. From my research, it would have to be one made before mass production began in 1946 (I believe) which would make it something of a prototype? Thanks for any help. He wants $175 for it, which is a good deal even of it isn't something special.
Jim
I think it very well may be a case of "Buy the gun and NOT the story". If the SKS is in good shape then $175 is a good price no matter what year it was made.
It is said in some sources that the ruskies made 10,000 SKSs for field test in 1945. They were successull and adopted as the type 45. However because of the end of the war none were made untill 1949.
SO - yes it could be dated 44, but 45 would be more likely. IF in fact it is a wartime made SKS it is worth a small fortune! None are known to exist except possiblyt in russian museums.
I would bet he mispoke and it is dated 1954. A steal at $175!
Sarge
During my last visit, when I knew nothing about SKS's except that they were used after WWII, I saw the tag on the gun and it definitely said 1944. He could have meant model 1944, but next time I visit I will check it out. The 1944 threw me a little so I decided to do some research and figured out that a small batch was made in 1944, prompting this thread. He cannot send photos, but I was thinking that maybe if this is a real 1944, would it even have all of the markings that were put on during mass production?
$175 is a good deal for any half decent russian SKS so just go buy it and then post some pics .
im guessing its not a prototype but a regular poduction SKS . whats on the top cover .
I'd almost guarantee that it's a M44.
The one I looked at and am talking about had a folding under blade bayonet and the tag said SKS. The man doesn't live close to me so the next time I go there, maybe in a few weeks, I will check it out, get photos, and post them. You could be right about the M44 if I looked at an SKS and read the wrong tag.
If it is a Russian SKS for $175 I doubt it will be there in a few weeks
The first production SKS (1949) used a spike bayo, prototypes likely did too. The WW2 prototypes were olny issued to a couple units for field testing, and I've never even seen a picture of them. 99% impossible this guy managed to get a super secret wartime prototype weapon out of the USSR. If he did, he'd know what it was and would be asking $17500, not $175. As was said, it will be an M44 or a 1954 Tula or Izzy SKS. SKS45 is the name of the rifle simply because it was adopted for production in 1945. Same reason the Chinese call it the type 56.