As-Issued SKS Value

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JackofallTrades

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Was at a gun show last weekend and was trying to sell a few pistols I no longer have need of. Sold one and then a kid offered to trade me his sks for the other two. I balked at first but then looked on GunBroker and there are similar examples getting bids for 850 and up which is much more than the pistols would get. Apparently SKS rifles have gone from truck gun to collectible in the last several years since the Obama ban on Russian imports. Anyway I took the deal because I wasn't getting many bites on the pistols and thought the SKS would sell easier. I was right, I had several offers for 600 and 650 before I left. I said no because I wanted to shoot up some leftover ammo I have from my last SKS before I sold but now I've been doing research and I believe I may have a rare "as issued" rifle, meaning it wasn't re-arsenalled by the Russians. I have poured over every guide I can find and am as sure as I can be. I keep seeing that they're more valuable but not how much more. Does anybody here have some SKS expertise or know someone who does? Just looking for what would be a reasonable price to ask on this thing.
 
Well that has them listed even higher than I was thinking. I'm worried I'm going to inflate the price in my head. I want to get what it's worth but I also don't want to lug it around for too long to every gun show I go to.
 
Jeff olson said:
Russian sks "as issued" are stupid money now. Especially with the folding bayonet and numbers matching. Let one go for $1200 3 months ago.
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Where did you go to get that kind of money for it? Also what type of condition was it in? SKS seem to have their own grading scale due to the fact there are basically zero in nra excellent. What would you say it was relative to other SKS and then on a standard NRA type scale?
 
JackofallTrades said:
Where did you go to get that kind of money for it? Also what type of condition was it in? SKS seem to have their own grading scale due to the fact there are basically zero in nra excellent. What would you say it was relative to other SKS and then on a standard NRA type scale?
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This was definitely nra excellent and then some.
 
JackofallTrades said:
Where did you go to get that kind of money for it? Also what type of condition was it in? SKS seem to have their own grading scale due to the fact there are basically zero in nra excellent. What would you say it was relative to other SKS and then on a standard NRA type scale?
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Sold it locally. I'll try to find some pics.
 
As issued after being refurbished? That’s what the pictured rifle above is. Double numbered with what appear to be xxxxxxxxs on the butt stock in the first picture. Would like to see the dust cover as I have a suspicion that a square/diamond with a line through it will be found.

OP, where’s your pics?
 
Dust cover was stamped TULA
1954
Exactly like that no other markings. As far as the stock, your knowledge obviously surpasses mine.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Recent restrictions on detachable-magazine guns in CA and NY may be inflating demand for the SKS too.
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Probably a factor -- roughly one in eight Americans live in CA alone. It's enough to keep Gen3 Glocks in current production.

However, there are more SKS alternatives in CA than you might think: Garands, Vz58s, Hakims & Rashids (ugh!), M1 Carbines, FN49s, even Mini-14s, Kel-Tec RDB-Cs, Ruger PC9s and FightLite ARs plus real ARs with weird grips -- for the moment at least, if it's a centerfire semiauto that doesn't have a bayonet lug, grenade launcher, threaded muzzle, pistol grip or magazine (detachable or otherwise) holding more than 10, it's still doable here. The market's big enough to work around many of the stupid limitations, including an apparent fear of opposable thumbs.

At last check, a brand new PC9 and some of the neutered ARs can go for a couple hundred less here than a good condition SKS.
 
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brunowbe said:
As issued after being refurbished? That’s what the pictured rifle above is. Double numbered with what appear to be xxxxxxxxs on the butt stock in the first picture. Would like to see the dust cover as I have a suspicion that a square/diamond with a line through it will be found.

OP, where’s your pics?
Click to expand...
 

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As far as I can tell there are no arsenal refurb marks that I have seen, no BBQ paint anywhere, no signs of forced number matching, original birch stock. The only thing that has me wondering is that the bluing on the buttstock is in very good condition and there's no electro penciled serial number on it and that seems very uncommon so I'm wondering if it may have been replaced.
 
.455_Hunter said:
I bought the full NIB Norinco kit for $124 in spring 1994- rifle, sling, oil bottle, stripper clips, etc. Probably paid too much, but oh well.
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My Dad and I got a 2/$150 deal at a show circa '91, as you say NIB, with all the accessories AND 150 rounds of ammo!
His is still in the box, unfired. Ive shot mine maybe twice, of course Ive had several other SKS over the years that got a thorough workout.
They had 'em stacked 12 high at that show, NIB MAK90s were there for a kingly $189 each.....
And forget about the Colt Match Target AR15s at the next table for $1500, lol.
 
The marks on the stock are the Tula star year 1963, and the serial number. The stock having a newer date than the dust cover points at a parts bin rifle, and the serial number in the stock makes me think something is askew.
It should also have the importer's info stamped some where on it. Some were done in unobtrusive places, like the bottom of the barrel near the muzzle.
 
That mottled look of your arctic birch stock really does it for me.

While I'm content with my Chinese version, there's no comparison of orange shellac stocks vs. your beauty.

Good luck with your new gun!
 
entropy said:
The marks on the stock are the Tula star year 1963, and the serial number. The stock having a newer date than the dust cover points at a parts bin rifle, and the serial number in the stock makes me think something is askew.
It should also have the importer's info stamped some where on it. Some were done in unobtrusive places, like the bottom of the barrel near the muzzle.
Click to expand...
Ditto.

But not all SKS have import marks... There are some war bringbacks, albeit rare. Mine is a 1956 or 1957 Romanian numbers matching with CAI import mark on the muzzle end on the right side. A much rarer beast than i knew when i bought it 20 years ago for $150.

My Romy
20210211_150145.jpg

I did see an East German model go at auction a few months ago for $7250.
 
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