SKS Dating

[Snowman1510]

Here are some more photos.

I think I mentioned it earlier, but the stock has been sanded. and looks to have had at the least two different serial numbers stamped into the stock, the Serial for the reciever being the newest stamped over an older serial number and perhaps the remnants of an older serial sanded away.

[Boris Badinov]

The srerial number identifies it a 17th year gun or 1972.

And the import stamp indicates that it was a US import --mid 80' to mid 90's.

[WarPig1976]

What about the pencil marks, plausible or fake?

[Boris Badinov]

What about the pencil marks, plausible or fake?

100% plausible. I have seen a handful of them as a matter of fact. Not a lot. The electrostencil asrenal and 五六式 designatore are very uncommon. Rare, but not in the sense that they add any collector's value.

The markings on your gun are very precise. Technically I would call that and electro"stencil" because is was clearly not done freehand as you often find which I refer to as electro"Pencil".

Looks like a nice catch. You can treat the minor surface rust with gun oil and #0000 (super fine) steel wool. Removes the rust, leaves the bluing intact.

[Snowman1510]

Thanks for your help Boris, I appreciate it. If you want any detailed photos of something I don't mind.

[Boris Badinov]

Thanks for your help Boris, I appreciate it. If you want any detailed photos of something I don't mind.

No need for more photos, i think. Seems like we've identified the rifle and manufacturer.

Since you are new to the sks, I will offer a few crucial pieces of advice:
.
Do a complete strip and cleaning-- making sure that everything is in working order and that the firing pin is free floating by shaking the bolt back and forth. The firing pin should rattle inside the bolt when you shake it.

Also, modern Soviet and Ukrainian ammo (steel case, berdan primed) has a reputation of popped primers in the sks -- regardless of national origin. If this is the type of ammo you are using, make sure to check spent casings regularly and often for signs of primer damages. Popped primers can damage the bolt and firing pin irreparably. And can lead to full auto discharge of the loaded rounds.

Chineses and Yugoslavian ammo are my preferred rounds. No primer problems with those, that i have experienced.

[Snowman1510]

I have stripped it down once already, but I did not try shaking the firing pin, I will do so when I get home though. I also have an ammo can with the Tula 7.62x39 that I was going to use, but I will look around for some other stuff, thanks.

The day I got I wasn't expecting to pick up an SKS, but now I have one. Thanks for the help!