Proliferation means less value. How is that ?

[cipherk98]

SKS values are already spiking in the US. Russian models in complete good condition are bringing $600-700 right now, Yugo M59/66s bring $400 all day, and odd stuff like Romanian, Albanians, Yugo M59s, etc command a premium. Some of that could be politics right now but I get the feeling those values are here to stay on the more obscure stuff. I remember seeing them in crates at gunshows all the time and they couldn't give away an SKS for $300, now I'd be all over a Yugo M59 or Russian for that money. Even Chinese models are getting uncommon to find around that price. Same thing for Mosins, I kept seeing them for $100 in the Cabelas ad and thought "some day soon..." and when that day came I paid $200 for a Type 53 and (over)paid $260 for a 1926 Hex M91/30.

I don't think they'll be worth mega money but in a few years as supply has wound down both naturally due to arsenals getting cleaned out and due to other factors like sanctions and the war in Ukraine, values have gone up. I feel another gun that will be like that are the recent lot of matching Yugo Mausers which you can get for as low as $300. Russian Capture Mausers existed in obscene quantities too, now they are fairly in demand as a cheap way to get a "real" German Mauser and the last couple I saw in my area were around $500+.

Collecting wise, all those little stamps and marks mean something, but without knowing what they really don't add anything to the value and I don't there is much first hand/primary source data out there. Also for all the manufacturing variations in them I don't know if there is a lot "why" for it, aside from obvious modifications to speed up production or improve the rifle (like a globe for the sights). Maybe that is what turns people off. Honestly as cheap as the guns are I'm kind of surprised more people aren't into them as there are enough interesting variations to keep people busy. I know if I could rewind the clock I'd probably be digging through crates to see what hex Tulas and ex-snipers I could find for $99.

[boltaction]

As I believe you are quoting me at the beginning of your post from another thread. I have to point out our thought process is basically the same. Removing the peeling shellac and/or rust from a refurb isn't going to hurt the value much if at all in the long run. Both need to be addressed at some point.
If I'm wrong I'm not concerned with the loss of a few hundred dollars 30yrs from now. It's not why I play this game.

I don't think I read your post to which you refer, but there are a lot of us out there with the same opinion. Good thing, too, as it means we keep the demand and values higher.

Cheers

Ed