Russian SKS45 ID/FAQ collectibles

[rightcoast]

Thanks so much for your prompt and informative reply. So if I read your reply correctly, if there is no refurbish stamp anywhere on the metal, and typically the receiver cover, but one on the stock, one should assume the stock was refurbished, but not the rest of the gun? I have also seen pictures of factory refurbished stocks...poorly done, having said that they were apparently Albanian, they is was a very crappy job, and clearly had the 100 grit taken to it, and although mine is smooth with no dings, and just 2 small fixable scratches, could one assume it was refurbished in the Tula factory? I am trying to keep everything in perspective, as they did make a bizzillion of them, mostly for combat, so I guess flawless is not what collectors are looking for? But I did at one time have a mint, never issued Lee Enfield No1 MKIII which I dearly wish I still had. Here in Canada during the early 70's, they sold them everywhere for 20 bucks unissued. We would pick through barrels of them looking for the perfect one...and there were lots *sob*

I digress...so smoothing out the factory refurbishment sandpaper marks and re-sealing it would be a no-no?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jjjxlr8]

Thanks so much for your prompt and informative reply. So if I read your reply correctly, if there is no refurbish stamp anywhere on the metal, and typically the receiver cover, but one on the stock, one should assume the stock was refurbished, but not the rest of the gun?

You should never assume. It sounds like your rifle could be one that just had a stock replacement but it would be tough to tell with 100% certainty. Is there any black paint on the rifle instead of blued metal? Is the bayonet screw still facotyr staked? How many stakes? Is the chrome lining of the bore still showing "in the white" at the muzzle? There are lot's of small details that might lend a clue, but it really doesn't matter too much since it's obviously a "refurb" rifle which puts it into a different category as far as collectibility and value are concerned.

I have also seen pictures of factory refurbished stocks...poorly done, having said that they were apparently Albanian, they is was a very crappy job, and clearly had the 100 grit taken to it, and although mine is smooth with no dings, and just 2 small fixable scratches, could one assume it was refurbished in the Tula factory? I am trying to keep everything in perspective, as they did make a bizzillion of them, mostly for combat, so I guess flawless is not what collectors are looking for?

I've owned Russian SKS45 rifles that were refurbished very nicely and others that looked like hell. Not sure why the huge difference but you can find all levels of finish quality with the factory refurbished Russian SKS rifles. For me, I look for rarity, originality, and condition when I purchase for my collection. I don't consider ANY rifles (even a '49) that have been re-finished by anyone outside of a factory arsenal. It's a deal breaker for me and a lot of other collectors.

.......so smoothing out the factory refurbishment sandpaper marks and re-sealing it would be a no-no?

Certainly a "no-no" in my book.

[rightcoast]

This is the original advert by Cabelas ;

Product Description
These rare, unstamped year of manufacture receivers are highly desirable to collectors. All feature matching serial numbers and original factory bluing. Includes original cleaning kit, oil bottle sling and ammo pouch. NRA Rating: Very Good Condition. Very Limited supply!

It probably means more to you than me LOL! ..and hope they did not make an a** out of me Here in Canada we get loads of SKS's from the former eastern bloc and China, but a friend told me to snag the Russian from Cabelas because of the description.

I guess pictures may help you help me? Google+

[jjjxlr8]

Not sure what they mean by "undated" if you got a '53. It was only the 55 and 56 rifles that were not dated.

Pics would be great, but you should probably start a new thread!

[rightcoast]

I have no idea, Cabelas wrote the description, and since I know squat about them, I can only shrug. I am guessing the following link did not work?
Photos - Google+

...and this from another site;

Look at the flat end of the receiver by the trip bolt for the date stamp. You will either see a symbol stamped in the metal which will indicate the country the gun was manufactured in (a star for Russia, a star in a circle for North Korea and so on) and a manufacturing date stamped below that. ....so what I'm getting from that is that date stamps on the receiver are the norm, and no date stamp with just a star is rare?

[jjjxlr8]

Must be a Canadian thing for the importer to stamp a date code on the receiver? The receivers of the Russian SKS45s never had dates on them from the factory and the guns imported to the US don't have dates on the receiver, either.

Anyway, your rifle looks very nice and it very well could be that only the stock was replaced at some point. Great rifle!! Don't mess it up!

[rightcoast]

I have no idea why Cabelas put that description up there...mine, and after checking with people here who have them ,none have a date on them...Canadian importers, last I checked, are not required to stamp a dated code on guns, but having said that, it has been a long time since I checked LOL!

Again, thanks so much for ll the feedback. I appreciated it. And I have decided to just leave it alone :~) When I bought it, it was with the intention to just leave it in the box as a collector.