I had many Russianicon SKS rifles after they were imported to the USAicon in the late 1980's. There were a few unaltered, original rifles in newish condition mixed in. I kept one made by Izhevsk with a laminated stock and hand guard. The others I acquired at the time had solid arctic beech furniture. The originals had a very nice blued finish. The majority were distinctly marked rebuilds with the phosphate and paint finish as bolt action states above. All of the SVT40 rifles I had through here were rebuilt. The only originals I've see were imported prior to 1968.

I think much of the curio and relic Russian rifle supply was coming from the Ukraine. Get one now if you want one. They ain't making them anymore.
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