So I just returned from a local gun shop...

[AoxoMoxoA]

...and hanging on the wall was a Russian SKS priced at $600; A Tula from 1954 with beautiful dark wood. All numbers matched. Looked like it had never been used/issued. Not a scratch on it. Now here's what raised questions for me. The bolt, mag cover, barrel and bayonet blade were parkerized - black. Is this a fake or reproduction? Was parkerizing done in 1954? I'm a newbie to SKS's, and I'm thinking this may have been traded in by someone who refinished the gun.

[Darryl]

What you are looking at is a refurbished SKS (probably).

They refurbished them just like the Mosins after their use. Then stored them away. It is very unlikely it is a "unissued" rifle.

It's not park, probably a Russian blue job. Sometime their bluing looks "flat" and not shinny. But if it is the greenish park job, than that is not "natural".

Here is a "flat" looking Russian job

Dolk

[millman]

Martin08 will know the details.

[AoxoMoxoA]

It had a "grained" texture to it - with a bit of gloss... It wasn't a smooth finish. Maybe parkerized isn't the proper comparison. The red flags raised with me when I saw the bolt and also the blade of the bayonet with the same "grained" finish in black. The wood was finished beautifully.

[desdem12]

Some "bubba's like to "tacticool" their rifles and they may have put a finish on it. The bolt should not have a textured finish but there might be a blued one or 2 around. You can read the bolt cover good? I would be wary but i also defer to martin

[AoxoMoxoA]

Some "bubba's like to "tacticool" their rifles and they may have put a finish on it. The bolt should not have a textured finish but there might be a blued one or 2 around. You can read the bolt cover good? I would be wary but i also defer to martin

Yeah, the bolt is not blued - the same textured finish that's on the bayonet blade is on the bolt. Numbers are very readable; Whatever finish it is hasn't seemed to "fill up" the stamped numbers.

[SA1911a1]

My question is; would that SKS be worth $600.00 even if all original?

[Izhevsk762]

My question is; would that SKS be worth $600.00 even if all original?

If all original matching straight out of the arsenal? I'll let martin handle that

But a refurb? I don't think so.

[AoxoMoxoA]

So if you don't mind sharing sources, where would be a reputable online source for Russian SKS rifles be? I obviously would like the supplier to stock rifles that are in solid shooting condition with good bores. Haven't seen any Russian models in the local gun stores near me ( outside of the one that I'm questioning the finish on ), but there are plenty of cosmoline laden Yugoslavian models to be found in the $350-$450 range. Is that the going price for these, or are they asking too much?

[desdem12]

Yugos have gone down to around $280 at the dealers. If you have a C&R you can check them out, i think many of them have yugos
SOG has them on sale now, However...i see they are listed as 59/66, but the pic is of a 59/66 A or A1 i think

[martin08]

You are looking at a refurbished gun, done in what is affectionately known in the SKS world as Barbeque Grill Paint. It is a common affliction, and it does degrade the value to an extent. It is still a well built and desirable gun, but it shouldn't command a premium price like a non-refurbished gun.

These guns are easily had on Gunbroker for $325 to $375 lately. Add approximately $50 for shipping/FFL fees, and you can see that your shop has it priced at least $175 too much.

Here is a great guide to understanding Russian SKS's.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=77478.0

And here is a post from a fellow who tracks Russian SKS sales on Gunbroker. Last month, 17 units sold for under $400. He also has tracked sales for the past 18 months, and I think that the average is $380 over that period.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=95095.0

[AoxoMoxoA]

You are looking at a refurbished gun, done in what is affectionately known in the SKS world as Barbeque Grill Paint.

In reading through "The Russian SKS for Beginners," I believe "krinkle" is the term the article used to best describe the finish on the gun I handled earlier today.

These guns are easily had on Gunbroker for $325 to $375 lately. Add approximately $50 for shipping/FFL fees, and you can see that your shop has it priced at least $175 too much.

Depending on what Gunbroker has available in the coming days/weeks, I may go back and offer him $400 cash and see what he does from there...

Here is a great guide to understanding Russian SKS's.
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=77478.0

And here is a post from a fellow who tracks Russian SKS sales on Gunbroker. Last month, 17 units sold for under $400. He also has tracked sales for the past 18 months, and I think that the average is $380 over that period.
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=95095.0

Thanks for the links. I'm better informed now than I was when I woke this morning.

[martin08]

Thanks for the links. I'm better informed now than I was when I woke this morning.

With some patience, and armed with some good information, you will be able to land one that is both appealing and on the money. It may not be the one in your local shop, but it is possible to find deals.

I have two BBQ refurbs, a 1952 Tula and a 55/56 Letter Series for $250 and $300, respectively. But I wasn't in a great hurry.

[AoxoMoxoA]

With some patience, and armed with some good information, you will be able to land one that is both appealing and on the money. It may not be the one in your local shop, but it is possible to find deals.

I certainly have good information - thanks to this forum, but patience will have to have to come from within...

[desdem12]

I'm with you A...M...A i have trouble with the patience too. I live where i am luck i see a quarter of the stuff these guys have and when i do see it it's higher priced. I haven't seen an m44 that i didn't buy and that was only 2 and one from hugary. I have never seen a t53 and only recently saw a true russian SKS, They want $450 for it , a Tula. Good luck

[Jumperwire]

Wait till you see the Czech VZ-52 covered in what can only be described as "Rhino Lining"

[desdem12]

I saw that...Did you buy it? I thought about tellin LC about it but i didn't think it was original

[Longcolt44]

I saw that...Did you buy it? I thought about tellin LC about it but i didn't think it was original

Shame on you desdem12, always tell LC about everything. I'm planning on hitting the lottery and I would hate to miss out on something. I used a lot of BBQ/wrinkle paint when i was racing for blocks and valve covers...on a milsurp, I don't think so.

[desdem12]

All righty then ...I will let you know next time. If you want it i can tell you where i saw it? I haven't checked lately though. I just remembered you said you were chasing one

[Longcolt44]

All righty then ...I will let you know next time. If you want it i can tell you where i saw it? I haven't checked lately though. I just remembered you said you were chasing one

I'm waiting.