The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

one thing the collector wants to be sure of is that what he is looking at for a potential collectors example is what it appears to be.
Many countries rebuild their guns from time to time. Depending on supplies of repair parts, not always do you find the replacement parts numbered to the receiver. Even if you do , you want to be sure they are not scrubbed and remarked. I have found 4 Russian sks carbines that were scrubbed and re stamped during rebuilding. In these cases it was easy to see because the top covers were dated and the receivers were late Tula 56 guns with small star after serial number. The top covers were various dates and one was a 53 Izhevesk cover. I will post some photos of scrubbed parts so you can see how they look.

What to look for is whether they show sanding marks from removing the original numbers. The contours will be different and not look quite right it may not have the rounded shape or edges it should have and you will see marks of sanding under the new finish.

Sounds like they were rebuilt the same way the Mosins were, we call the renumbering of parts "force matching"

Very useful information, Howie. Original matching SKS's are more abundant than can be found with Mosin Nagants. But one should always use discretion, and exercise a keen eye to make a determination.

Matching numbers are not always as they appear.

Thanks Howie...good information.

On this line of discussion, what would you do if you found an early Russian SKS with a scrubbed receiver cover? I just looked at one. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and went back today to get a good look at it. It has all the indicators of being a early '51 Tula, but the cover has been scrubbed of any marks. First, why would anyone do that? Second, if the rifle has everything else, does it have any value beyond an everyday shooter?


Thank you...

MN Fan wrote:Thanks Howie...good information.

On this line of discussion, what would you do if you found an early Russian SKS with a scrubbed receiver cover? I just looked at one. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and went back today to get a good look at it. It has all the indicators of being a early '51 Tula, but the cover has been scrubbed of any marks. First, why would anyone do that? Second, if the rifle has everything else, does it have any value beyond an everyday shooter?


Thank you...

All it will ever be is a shooter.

Thanks Woodbeef. That's what I thought...and that's why its still on the rack.

Too bad too, original stock, all matching (except the cover)...good looking rifle all the way around. The price was relatively decent too for a starting price.

Thank you...

Some idiot probably put one of those scope mount covers on it,and lost the origial one.

I found this out the hard way I negotiated for a 53 Izhevesk gun and got it little did i realize the star after the serial numbers ment Tula 56 the tope cover under close ckecking showed scrubbing corners and edges all flat and restamping at arsenal during re build . I have found 4 since then so Russians did this quite often.

I have seen a number of Russians on GB that have some scrubbing done. Especially trigger guards with all the scratch lines.
Vertical or horizontal marks. Seems many people will not listen or agree, they are so focused on matching numbers they
buy them any way. I have seen some guns thought to be non-refurb sell for $500 to $600 range. They weren't.

Next time I see the guns it was on another forum asking for comments on their perfect gun. Bubble Burst.

OLD OUTLAW wrote:I have seen a number of Russians on GB that have some scrubbing done. Especially trigger guards with all the scratch lines.
Vertical or horizontal marks. Seems many people will not listen or agree, they are so focused on matching numbers they
buy them any way. I have seen some guns thought to be non-refurb sell for $500 to $600 range. They weren't.

Next time I see the guns it was on another forum asking for comments on their perfect gun. Bubble Burst.

You can sometimes try to help someone with what they are looking at but then again some are offended. One of my best friends wanted a German 98K I found some for him but he went and bought a Mitchell Mauser and spent a ton on a single Rune. The gun was awful !!! it looked awesome with its bleached stock but was clearly a Russian capture gun scrubbed and re numbered to match and I bet the rune was forged the work was done overseas. I told him what I thought needles to say he was not pleased but wouldn't send it back

Been through that myself. You gotta do the research if you want to spend money on any rifle.