OVERVIEW: Fundamentally, there is NO significant
difference in a rearsenaled Russian SKS and pristine one. As a matter of
fact, most times if the rifle didn't have the rework stamp on it, it would be extremely
difficult to determine if it was overhauled or not. Russian SKS quality is
top notch, so even a surplus Russian SKS is better than most brand new
unfired Chinese SKS's. If the Russians thought it was necessary to
rework the rifle, then most likely the rifle needed it. The process
usually included a new barrel, buffing the scratches out of the metal,
reinforcing the wrist of the stock and
re-bluing. The following is a guide to aid in determining if a Russian SKS
has been refurbished by Russian technicians.
Look closely at the metal, the finish and any markings on the rifle. If
any of the following items are present, the rifle has been rearsenaled:
METAL / WOOD:
-
If the rifle is blued and the
metal edges are NOT crisp but slightly rounded then the rifle has been
reworked.
-
When metal is stamped, it
slightly raises the edges of the mark. If the markings have no slight
lip, then the metal has probably been buffed in the rework process.
If the stock is NOT laminated and
has one cross bolt by the forward finger grooves, it's probably original.
Replacement stocks also have a second cross-bolt behind the trigger group.
Hardwood SKS stocks are prone to cracking at the wrist of the stock. A
great percentage of Romanian SKS's have this wrist pin AND a cracked
stock. Too little too late. The softwood Chinese SKS will not
have this cracking problem as the wood is much more forgiving, but the rifle
may become slightly loose in the stock as it slowly wallows out.
FINISH:
-
If the finish is NOT blued, but
parkerized or dark grey, the rifle has been reworked.
-
If an electro-pencil has been
used to number any parts, such as the bottom of the gas tube, there should
be bright bare metal or slightly rusted metal showing. If the numbers
are blued then it has been reworked.
-
Laminated stocks are NOT
original, but a 1950's replacement.
Original Russian SKS's had
shiny bolt carriers, bolt parts, and bayonets. If you have a blued,
black, or
parkerized bolt carrier, it has been refinished or replaced at one time.
My best guess is that darkening the bolt was an afterthought meant to
suppress unwanted reflection. Nothing will give away a camouflaged
soldier's position away faster than sunlight being reflected in the enemy's
eyes off a shiny polished bolt carrier...
MARKINGS:
-
The technicians marked the rifles
they refurbished. The marking was a diamond or a box with a diagonal
line through it. This mark is usually found either on the stock or the
lug that hangs down from the receiver cover.
-
If any serial numbers have been
"X"ed out and new numbers stamped near the originals, then the
rifle is a referb.
This marking
signifies
the Russian SKS was
refurbished.
For shooters, I can't stress enough
how little it means to have a refurbished Russian SKS. If anything, they
made a well used rifle into something as good as, if not better than, new.
It is the nature of serious
collectors to value pristine examples of firearms. Only a perfect example
of any rifle is worth collecting because they are the best, most accurate
representation of the era. It's common sense to assume the rarity of the
specimen will increase the value of it proportionately. Since Russian
SKS's were heavily used for ceremonial purposes and "loaners" to third
world communist countries, it's uncommon to find one that has never been
rearsenaled.
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