54 Izhevsk Original on Gun Brokers

[acl864]

These pics bring up a questions related to "as-issued" rifles that I've wanted to ask for a while. The pic posted by martin08 shows the stampings on the wood cutting through the shellac on the stock. I see many as-issued rifles exhibiting this characteristic. As exhibited in the excellent photo analysis done by MN Fan. The grossly over priced GB rifle does not have the flaking and peeling around the stamps. But it also doesn't have the darker pooling of stain in the letters that I typically associate with a state side refinished stock. Was it just more carefully refinished? Was it carried by Ivan long enough that normal wear and handling smoothed out the stampings? Was the shellac at this particular arsenal on this particular day put on so thin that the stampings didn't show as much "punch through"? If the stock has been refinished state side and it is well done and approximates the original finish. Is the rifle still considered as-issued? My questions can be applied to a fair percentage of rifles out there that are otherwise pristine examples of as-issued firearms. With the premium price that some Russian SKS's, especially as-issued ones, are bringing these days I wanted to get the experts opinions on this particular characteristic.

[martin08]

My thoughts:

The finish is original - I think. But it has possibly been wiped down and "Blended" somewhat with a damp alcohol soaked cloth. The edges of the crossbolt cartouches are also softened and blended in appearance. It's possible that an extremely light spray shellac may have been applied over it? But the brush marks are still visible, so nothing too aggressive has been done, IMO.

These guns are not war veteran specimens, so no one is buying a battle experienced 1954 Izhevsk. Was it issued at all? Who knows. People are buying these for the rarity, quality manufacturing, and condition. It isn't worth what was paid, I don't believe. But if the finish has been buffed/touched up, it doesn't diminish the value by hundreds.

[boomer34]

Nice work on the overlay.

As time goes on, these prices that shock everyone will not be so shocking. That's what happens with a dimishing availibility. The next guy always has more money than you do and it's hard to compete for a less available item.

Martin08 has the pricing about right, the last few hundred $ was just a match of who had the most to spend.

There are deals, steals, good buys, market buys and skyrockets. All make up the "market". You just have to choose where you want to play. A player looking for steals cannot play with skyrickets.

[Drago]

Look at this! http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =266347084

This is what happens when you get three idiots with high Testosterone bidding against each other. Seems that 53 Izhevsk only went
for $1350 as I seem to recall. This $1380 is just way out there in Space Cadet land.
I give up on people like them.

Both went for exactly $1380.00. Here's the '53 Izhevsk auction:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =266455431

Must be the new magical Izhevsk price! Apparently a '54 Izhevsk non-refurb is as valuable as a '53. Go figure. I also noticed that the re-listed '49 went up to $2100 and still didn't meet reserve. *shakes head*

[Junk Yard Dog]

Over a grand for a Soviet SKS, I never would have thunk it years back.

[Drago]

Over a grand for a Soviet SKS, I never would have thunk it years back.

I've only been collecting Soviets for less than a year and I wouldn't have thunk it. I thought $700 for my '54 Izhevsk non-refurb was a lot and that was only 3 months ago! This is insane! '54 Izhevsk non-refurb's aren't even rare...uncommon perhaps, but certainly not $1380 uncommon. At least not to me.

[OLD OUTLAW]

Howie? I think I may be your long lost son. Am I in your will?

[Junk Yard Dog]

There has been something similar going on with the Finn marked Mosin M1891's on GB. Last year a few of them went over $400, then $450, and one $500. Mind you the rifles being sold were not out of the ordinary ones, Imperial Russian era reworks with nice markings intact. No different from many in my collection that cost under $200 when I got them. Then the insanity with SVT40's, they seem to go over a grand now unless you get lucky with a local buy.

[Woodbeef]

Ok before I change my mind,could you please reverse the overlay?

[MN Fan]

Sure...10 minutes. I was pretty convinced it looked hand etched myself. Even side by side, the "9" and the "4" both looked quite different.

Posting it up shortly...

[MN Fan]

Here is the order reversed, Martin's stamp on top of the auction's stamp:



I should mention that the images weren't modified, stretched or skewed in any way. They were simply rotated and resized to match each other. Then of couse, the image on top was faded to see through to the image behind.

Thanks Woodbeef...

[Woodbeef]

Ok,so what's your take on it as a Forensic Mad Scientist type?

[MN Fan]

I never get mad, ever

It's actually easier to see here on my laptop inside the imaging program, but what I see is that it is indeed stamped. It's also highly likely the two rifles were stamped with the exact same stamp set and clamp fixture...or at least the stamps were produced in the same die. They are 100% identical. On the auction stamp, the "5" is heavy on the right and the "4" is heavy on the bottom. Martin's "9" is heavy on the bottom. But, the individual lines and arcs of each number match perfectly.

Now if i could only walk into the pawn shop with my tool box, digital camera, light set up and laptop

I can manipulate images, but I don't have the trained and experienced eyes like you all have. Not yet anyway. But, I'm learning!

[Woodbeef]

Ok then that settles it. You were correct there Dead Eye Moose.