Really? 1951 Tula sold for $465 on GB

[OLD OUTLAW]

Ok Drago. Per your request a few of a true original 51.

Compare to Drago's posted one.

[WeldonHunter]

I hope OO will post his 1951 in this thread, so we'll have two examples to look over in one spot. That is, until the Gunbroker auction fades or the seller pulls his pics.

My intention on doing this was to help educate and have fun, but not at a buyer/sellers expense. I feel like this forum is a good group of select firearms collectors and won't be against each other helping each other out. I wouldn't post this on some other forums, because...well, a number of reasons, I guess. It seemed appropriate here. If you guys like this kindof comparison value/price thingy (I think they are fun and we all learn something), I'll do one a week or so, or when I spot or see something that "just ain't right".

Just as some of you are still learing the SKS, I am struggling to learn the Mosin. I find the Mosin learning curve much greater than the SKS. You Mosin guru's rock!

I have to admit I'm not a forum kind of guy. Though I belong to a lot of them I really only hang out here. I've heard about places that frown on sharing knowledge for a variety of reasons including losing an edge aquiring new firearms. The reason I love this forum so much is we share unconditionally and it's about helping here first and foremost. That in my opinion is what a public forum is about. Sharing information and helping to educate those who seek it. I have to admit I'm new to actual collecting. I've had firearms for over 30 years and hunted as long but learning about the details of them is a new interest I've just recently developed. It's a very steep learning curve with all of it for me. I have a hard to retaining all of the information that's out there weeding through it and making sense of a lot of it.

[MN Fan]

I'm in the same boat as Weldon. I am able to pick up on the obvious, but am still learning the nuances.

Outlaw, that thing is gorgeous, seriously. Is the bayonet "shiney" or is it from the flash?

[Drago]

That's awesome Weldon. If I was only about collecting, I'd never post anything, only lurk and sponge off everyone else's knowledge and experience. I'm an ex-DDR firearms collector and I realize that the more people know about them, the more it might hurt my own acquiring, but I enjoy sharing information. If I know something that you don't and you know something that I don't, then I truly feel we reward each other.

Thanks OO, for posting a wonderful example of an as-issued SKS. I remembered your serial number and thought the one I posted about from GB was only a few numbers off. As it was, yours is a "DV17112" and that one is a "VD2102", in crylllic. I thought they were literally only 391 numbers off. I also didn't realize that the black bayonet on your firearm was not the original, as once suspected. I guess I missed your finding the original one. Bummer on the black one not being original from factory, but excellent that the seller had the original silver one and you got her back on the rifle.

[OLD OUTLAW]

It's shiny. No flash, just natural light through the windows. It has what you look for in an original. Condition of this one is far
better than normal though. I bought it on Gun Brokers in late November I think it was.

Now, compare it to the one for $465. I was very patient looking for a pristine 51. It finally showed up. I had to pay
$470 for it. A lot of buyers are "Acting in haste, and Repenting in Leisure."

[WeldonHunter]

That's awesome Weldon. If I was only about collecting, I'd never post anything, only lurk and sponge off everyone else's knowledge and experience. I'm an ex-DDR firearms collector and I realize that the more people know about them, the more it might hurt my own acquiring, but I enjoy sharing information. If I know something that you don't and you know something that I don't, then I truly feel we reward each other.

Thanks OO, for posting a wonderful example of an as-issued SKS. I remembered your serial number and thought the one I posted about from GB was only a few numbers off. As it was, yours is a "DV17112" and that one is a "VD2102", in crylllic. I thought they were literally only 391 numbers off. I also didn't realize that the black bayonet on your firearm was not the original, as once suspected. I guess I missed your finding the original one. Bummer on the black one not being original from factory, but excellent that the seller had the original silver one and you got her back on the rifle.

Yup, as much as I'd love to collect these especially right now while they're still affordable it's out of the question for monitary reasons. I just hope they don't go to crazy in the meantime. Meanwhile I'll learn what I can. I have some of the best collectors to draw from and even call some friend. ;) Speaking of which Steve. I guess I've been asleep at the wheel. I didn't even hear about you getting the bayo for that one. Cool. I have to tell you. That rifle looks so tough in that second picture. The one on the chair. They really are some handsome rifles. They just ooze don't mess with me.

[WeldonHunter]

Oh and I do have one of these Drago. I posted it a long time ago. Steve helped me identify it. He had to because it's missing the original bolt cover. I got it from my uncle and he'd replaced the bolt cover with a scope mount cover before he gave me the rifle. He still has the original and is being bugged by me on a regular basis to find it and send it to me so I can take that abomination of a cover off of the rifle and put it back to original condition.

[MN Fan]

I remember this one now Outlaw. Man, that's fantastic you got the bayonet. It looks great!

Seriously, what a nice SKS.

[boomer34]

Well Drago, I will agree that the first rifle at $465 was about $100 over what it is worth. The second seems to be an original, with the black bayo question hovering over it. If truly original, it was a steal. However, how about this one, possible ex DDr, but with the BBQ? A refurb for sure.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =271435379

Prices are all over the place and the spikes are getting higher for a given condition rifle. Several fair originals slip by in the $400 range and should draw around $500. Many, many, many laminated stocks draw more than they are worth, but these are very striking rifles.

Don't get rid of your boxes. They are getting valuable just by themselves. I think the rifle posted with the box got the bids to push it that high.

GunBroker is a game and if you know how to play it you can come up with a very nice rifle. But, you have to play!

[pacanis]

What a timely thread.
I was making the circuit today and saw a '51 Tula laminate at a shop for $429 and was wondering if that was typical.
Watching this thread...

Well, I can tell you without looking, that the '52 Tula Laminate is a refurb. For me to spend $429 on it, it would first have to have an amazing stock color. I like the brilliant, almost "neon" amber lammies and the nicely finished dark garnet ones. A lot of them have an average reddish brown, dull finish. I stay away from those. Also, I would want to see the receiver and bolt in the blue and silver, not BBQ painted like my first example above. It would need to have a nice silver or black bayonet and cleaning rod. I never worry about a sling too much, but if it has it, then that is a bonus. The rifle would need to be completely numbers matching with hard stampings, not electro-penned bolt, for example. It is okay if the gas tube, piston and underneath of the rear sight ladder are e-penned. I'm picky, but for $429, I think one ought to be.

Going from a memory clouded with other rifles I was interested in...
The stock was definitely nicer than the one in your OP. It was laminated and fairly unmarked. I think I remember the [/] on it. The main metal parts were very clean looking, so I'm going to guess they were painted. They had a texture, but were shiny almost, like a satin finish instead of the usual BBQ paint I would buy for my grill. I call that BBQ paint flat black and it was not flat black. I think I saw three stamped serial numbers and they were all matching, but had no prefix. I did not check gas tubes and smaller parts, but saw no electro penciled numbers. It did have the sling and I think the bayonet was that aluminum silver color. I know it wasn't black.

[martin08]

It's a $465 shooter. Bottom line.

The phenomenon of high dollar buying of rehashed mutts is not reserved for the SKS crowd. Many Mosin, Mauser, US Arms, etc. collectors will shake their heads in disbelief over the zealous bidding practices of uneducated buyers.

[howiebearse]

I did not read all the posts yet but will. The gun above is one that came in that was sand blasted and painted with flat black. It has a Chinese magazine I would guess it is not Russian at any rate. Other than some nice proofs its a shooter. Why the Russian SKS Carbines bring so much is because they are no longer imported. So if you want one you have to pay whats asked or look some more. Some guys buy just because its Russian and they don't care about the collector end just shooting end. You would die at whats going on in Canada with the sweet guns they have coming in and they are bubbarizing them !!!

[Izhevsk762]

Jeez, I haven't ever seen a Soviet SKS for less than $450 here in CA. Tell me where y'all are finding these $300-$350 Soviets at!

[Junk Yard Dog]

Mine was under $200 and I almost didn't buy it at the time as some Polish M44 came into the shop at the same time. I compramized and bought both Now I am glad I did, the shop only had two, my 1950, and a later dated Tula, I went for the older one as I nearly always do figuring it has the most history packed in it.

[MNMose]

Nice on the 1950, JYD. I paid $350 delivered for my '53 Tula but, haven't had a chance to clean it up and shoot it. I love my Yugo SKS, which is a very straight shooter. I hope the Russkie follows suit.

A friend of mine bought his Russian SKS' in the 90's, if I remember right. They were selling for $125 each. I think he bought 2 for a package deal of some kind. The Russian SKS wave has passed for now and I guess that's why the prices are up. If future rules change, the market could swing quite a bit. There are probably a lot of SKS' out there looking for a nice home.

Great topic. I will post pics of the 1953 when I get it cleaned up.

[desdem12]