It's a light refurb. You did well. Beautiful rifle. There is a serial # on the extractor too that should match. Many people forget that one as well as under the rear sight leaf. The XXXX's on the stock tell that it is a replacement stock while it was refurbished at the Russian arsenal. It is a correct Arctic Birch wood with shellac. There is also a serial # on the gas tube and gas piston. The metal in the white is proper. Unlike many that were imported with bbq black paint on the bolt carrier, rear cover and/or bolt itself. That was done by the importers to hide surface rust/pitting. The Russian arsenals never painted any of them. I have 3 Russians and bought them in 1992. One is an unissued 1954 Tula, one is an unissued 1954 Izhevsk and the third is a 1955 arsenal refurb with white metal and the rare black/blue blade bayonet. Never fired the two 1954's, only the 1955 lightly. Stock on the latter is the Arctic Birch in golden honey tiger's eye stain that shines like a gemstone in the sunlight. Very eye appealing. The other two are in the original Russian shellac with that black/brown/red toning pattern stain on the Arctic Birch wood. I love them all. I know more than most about these rifles. The Chinese type 56 SKS in 1956 through the early 60's were exactly as made by the Russians in quality and using Russian parts, Russian tooling / training. However, China then started cutting corners on quality in mid 60's and it went downhill as each year passed with their type 56 ever since.
Tnx for adding some history. I have a small fist full of sky's I picked up cheap..couldn't pass em up. What fb page do u recommend to get some help identifying what I have? Tnx tom
I had bought my 54 Tula SKS matching #'s 9 years ago for $230 and came with a free 1440 round crate of chinese corrosive ammo. Aint no one getting deals that no more. Ever
While that is indeed a beautiful Russian SKS and very desirable, it most assuredly has been reworked. The Russians did not refinish their stocks liken that and the stock is not original to the rest of the rifle as it's been renumbered to match the metal parts. That butt extension is also an aftermarket addition. None of which keeps it from being a great buy at $750. They don't come to market often now. Nice find.
@HSmith-uk9hl interesting, thanks for the info and watching, I suspected that in terms of the stock but all the metal looked really good and I didn't see a rework mark on it thankfully lol.
@milsurprifleguy7091 thanks, keep on the lookout at gun shops, especially ones that are also pawn shops, you never know what you'll find. That's how I found this one.
I have a 52 Tula that was a "Sneak" that i got several years ago for about 350, its not as nice but all matching save for the top cover and had a similar bore. Its one of may favorite range guns.
All bolts on Russian SKS's were blued when they left the factory. The "X's" stamped into the stock are to mask the original serial number as there was no effort made rematch the wood and metalwork after refurbishment. Very nice refurb.
Nice! I’ve been eying a few! Wish I would’ve known about these when they were cheap but I’m pretty young. For now I’m happy with my zastavas WASR WBP JACK and PSA GF5 AKM. My M77 in .308 is top notch. From what I see Zastava USA is pumping out arguably some of the best builds right now..just my opinion
@Grizzlyman420 very cool, yes sir! I have a M90, M77, M70, and a M70AB2. Love them all, arguably the best mid tier AKs in my opinion. I did just order a Blem Forged Pioneer Arms 20" AK. It should arrive tomorrow, only $560. I'm curious to see how it does. @KLAYCO47 tested a Pioneer Arms one, it did pretty well for a cheap AK.
Very nice my friend ,just stock not original ,rest looks in very good shape ! Sadly when I moved out West (Alaska) from commi Canada my Russian and Chinese collection got left back due to import ban...saving grace is I still own them all theyre just relaxing at my cabin in Canada .
Triangle 26 puts out some good content. He must be a busy guy. I emailed him and he got back to me, but the I emailed him again about the serial # size on my 1970 sks but never heard back. Nice looking sks you have there.
@Jeff-xn1ew thanks! Yes, sir, he must be, I sure am glad he replied back to my initial email. I'd love for @Triangle26 to take a closer look at this one.
@@The_Casual_Collector no price on it yet. Dude traded it in for pretty cheap think it was 450. Shop owner has been on vacation ill be interested to see what he puts on it when he gets back. Says he was gonna research it while he was gone. If its not too much and in the same realm as yours ill probably buy it.
Very nice. I have a 1953 Izhevsk that is in unissued and non-refurbished condition. Honestly it's so nice I don't shoot it. Id rather shoot my Chinese type 56s. To me they shoot better than any other SKS. Triangle 26 really knows his stuff. Your rifle could be one of the shined up parade rifles or someone in the states may have added a little lacquer to the stock. I also just noticed the stock has an original crossed out serial number. It may have a replacement stock and didn't go through a full refurbishment.
@seanbaker9796 wow, now that's a desirable one, yep, I totally agree, I'll be shooting my Chinese ones lol. You're right, I love the info that @Triangle26 brings to the table, he knows his stuff. It never dawn on me that it could've been a parade rifle. I've seen a decent amount more like it.
@@The_Casual_Collector yours is still a nice example. Just know that not all parade rifles are chromed out. I've seen everything from all chrome metal examples all the way down to clean refurbished examples with polished or chrome bayonets and all matching wood between all the carbines. Sometimes they are used in parades, escort details for flags etc, things like WWII memorials and Tomb of the unknown soldier like ceremonies. Sometimes it's just showing off in front of the prez/leader or even inspections. There is really no telling unless someone who lived in Russia and collects knows. I have also seen padded butt pads on some of those rifles. All I can say is start looking up pictures of Russian/USSR and communist ceremonies and similar. Google Yooper John and check out his site. He may not have a ton of info on parade rifles but it's a start plus he has excellent pics of SKSs in use and in parade.
I picked up a Russian SKS a couple of months ago myself. They had it labeled as a "Norinco." It is a refurbished one with the laminate stock. I have another Russian with the solid wood birch stock. It's missing the magazine. Both are clean rifles. For some reason that shop thinks all SKS's are "Norinco's." They don't know much about classic stuff. Glock and AR shop (what I call tacti-kewl shops.)
@traviscochran6280 interesting. Honestly sometimes it works to our advantage when they don't know what they have lol. Did you locate a mag for the one that was missing it?
@@The_Casual_Collector I have one. I am not sure what version of SKS it came off of. It doesn't fit quite right. I probably need to take a file and fit it to the gun.
Bought a crate of Norincos for $49 each. Ammo was $69 a case. Have several variants. Your buttplate is not original, probably added to help the short length of pull . Guage the chamber and muzzle to find out how much its been shot. Looks nice and clean.
I was buying them brand new from Kengs ten to the case, complete with sling, bayonet and ammo bandolier for $559.00. Sold them for $75 each and thought I was doing great!
It's a light refurb. You did well. Beautiful rifle. There is a serial # on the extractor too that should match. Many people forget that one as well as under the rear sight leaf. The XXXX's on the stock tell that it is a replacement stock while it was refurbished at the Russian arsenal. It is a correct Arctic Birch wood with shellac. There is also a serial # on the gas tube and gas piston. The metal in the white is proper. Unlike many that were imported with bbq black paint on the bolt carrier, rear cover and/or bolt itself. That was done by the importers to hide surface rust/pitting. The Russian arsenals never painted any of them. I have 3 Russians and bought them in 1992. One is an unissued 1954 Tula, one is an unissued 1954 Izhevsk and the third is a 1955 arsenal refurb with white metal and the rare black/blue blade bayonet. Never fired the two 1954's, only the 1955 lightly. Stock on the latter is the Arctic Birch in golden honey tiger's eye stain that shines like a gemstone in the sunlight. Very eye appealing. The other two are in the original Russian shellac with that black/brown/red toning pattern stain on the Arctic Birch wood. I love them all. I know more than most about these rifles. The Chinese type 56 SKS in 1956 through the early 60's were exactly as made by the Russians in quality and using Russian parts, Russian tooling / training. However, China then started cutting corners on quality in mid 60's and it went downhill as each year passed with their type 56 ever since.
Tnx for adding some history. I have a small fist full of sky's I picked up cheap..couldn't pass em up. What fb page do u recommend to get some help identifying what I have? Tnx tom
I had bought my 54 Tula SKS matching #'s 9 years ago for $230 and came with a free 1440 round crate of chinese corrosive ammo. Aint no one getting deals that no more. Ever
@@c_twisted91 yep...exactly right.
Casual look's real to me. It's a beauty.. THANKS for showing.
@RUSTYSURPLUS thank you sir, I appreciate that!
While that is indeed a beautiful Russian SKS and very desirable, it most assuredly has been reworked. The Russians did not refinish their stocks liken that and the stock is not original to the rest of the rifle as it's been renumbered to match the metal parts. That butt extension is also an aftermarket addition. None of which keeps it from being a great buy at $750. They don't come to market often now. Nice find.
@HSmith-uk9hl interesting, thanks for the info and watching, I suspected that in terms of the stock but all the metal looked really good and I didn't see a rework mark on it thankfully lol.
Nice looking SKS , glad you came across it , & was able to buy it . I do not have a Russian one , wish I did . Thanks for showing yours .
@milsurprifleguy7091 thanks, keep on the lookout at gun shops, especially ones that are also pawn shops, you never know what you'll find. That's how I found this one.
I don’t have the SKS bug but wow!
@josh656 thanks, I love it, certainly the nicest one in my collection.
She’s a beauty
@johnnail532 thanks!
They came in crates back in the 90's. 100$
@@johnniecameron8829 that makes me want to cry lol...
I have a 52 Tula that was a "Sneak" that i got several years ago for about 350, its not as nice but all matching save for the top cover and had a similar bore. Its one of may favorite range guns.
@remiel3315 very cool! Not a bad price considering!
I’ve got one that I’ve had since 1996. It’s a 1951 Tula. It’s been refurbished with a laminated stock and the bayonet is blued. Great rifles.
@jasonyoung9249 very nice! Thanks for sharing, up until this one I had Chinese, Yugo, and Romanian, but never a Russian one.
I looked at my number and it’s 1838. Only 168 apart.
@@jasonyoung9249 that's pretty cool!
The undersized recoil pad is a deal breaker. Got my '54 Tula about 10 years ago for $450. All matching numbers.
@brockshields9336 that was a great deal.
All bolts on Russian SKS's were blued when they left the factory. The "X's" stamped into the stock are to mask the original serial number as there was no effort made rematch the wood and metalwork after refurbishment. Very nice refurb.
@@josephgirard9209 thanks for that info, I appreciate it, and thanks for watching!
Затворы SKS покрывались методом пассивации (passivation) и всегда были белыми.
@@АлексейБрусенцев-ж8щ interesting, thanks for that information.
Wrong
Very nice brother...👍👍
Nice! I’ve been eying a few! Wish I would’ve known about these when they were cheap but I’m pretty young. For now I’m happy with my zastavas WASR WBP JACK and PSA GF5 AKM. My M77 in .308 is top notch. From what I see Zastava USA is pumping out arguably some of the best builds right now..just my opinion
@Grizzlyman420 very cool, yes sir! I have a M90, M77, M70, and a M70AB2. Love them all, arguably the best mid tier AKs in my opinion. I did just order a Blem Forged Pioneer Arms 20" AK. It should arrive tomorrow, only $560. I'm curious to see how it does. @KLAYCO47 tested a Pioneer Arms one, it did pretty well for a cheap AK.
that thing is beautiful
@imperialhonorguard1483 thanks!
Very nice my friend ,just stock not original ,rest looks in very good shape ! Sadly when I moved out West (Alaska) from commi Canada my Russian and Chinese collection got left back due to import ban...saving grace is I still own them all theyre just relaxing at my cabin in Canada .
Triangle 26 puts out some good content. He must be a busy guy. I emailed him and he got back to me, but the I emailed him again about the serial # size on my 1970 sks but never heard back. Nice looking sks you have there.
@Jeff-xn1ew thanks! Yes, sir, he must be, I sure am glad he replied back to my initial email. I'd love for @Triangle26 to take a closer look at this one.
I found a Chinese security forces sks at a local gun store. Also a rare sks. You have a beautiful rifle there.
@navyvet7665 wow that's interesting, never seen one of those. Thanks, and thanks for sharing!
we have this exact sks in my local shop rn.
@65stang98 very cool! How much?🤣
@@The_Casual_Collector no price on it yet. Dude traded it in for pretty cheap think it was 450. Shop owner has been on vacation ill be interested to see what he puts on it when he gets back. Says he was gonna research it while he was gone. If its not too much and in the same realm as yours ill probably buy it.
That's not the original stock.. It's had a serial number crossed out and was force matched. Otherwise it's a really nice rifle.
@MaxWray111 I was wondering about that, thanks for sharing!
Very nice. I have a 1953 Izhevsk that is in unissued and non-refurbished condition. Honestly it's so nice I don't shoot it. Id rather shoot my Chinese type 56s. To me they shoot better than any other SKS. Triangle 26 really knows his stuff. Your rifle could be one of the shined up parade rifles or someone in the states may have added a little lacquer to the stock. I also just noticed the stock has an original crossed out serial number. It may have a replacement stock and didn't go through a full refurbishment.
@seanbaker9796 wow, now that's a desirable one, yep, I totally agree, I'll be shooting my Chinese ones lol. You're right, I love the info that @Triangle26 brings to the table, he knows his stuff. It never dawn on me that it could've been a parade rifle. I've seen a decent amount more like it.
@@The_Casual_Collector yours is still a nice example. Just know that not all parade rifles are chromed out. I've seen everything from all chrome metal examples all the way down to clean refurbished examples with polished or chrome bayonets and all matching wood between all the carbines. Sometimes they are used in parades, escort details for flags etc, things like WWII memorials and Tomb of the unknown soldier like ceremonies. Sometimes it's just showing off in front of the prez/leader or even inspections. There is really no telling unless someone who lived in Russia and collects knows. I have also seen padded butt pads on some of those rifles. All I can say is start looking up pictures of Russian/USSR and communist ceremonies and similar. Google Yooper John and check out his site. He may not have a ton of info on parade rifles but it's a start plus he has excellent pics of SKSs in use and in parade.
@@seanbaker9796 awesome! Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it! I'll definitely check his site out.
I picked up a Russian SKS a couple of months ago myself. They had it labeled as a "Norinco." It is a refurbished one with the laminate stock.
I have another Russian with the solid wood birch stock. It's missing the magazine. Both are clean rifles.
For some reason that shop thinks all SKS's are "Norinco's." They don't know much about classic stuff. Glock and AR shop (what I call tacti-kewl shops.)
@traviscochran6280 interesting. Honestly sometimes it works to our advantage when they don't know what they have lol. Did you locate a mag for the one that was missing it?
@@The_Casual_Collector I have one. I am not sure what version of SKS it came off of. It doesn't fit quite right. I probably need to take a file and fit it to the gun.
Must been a hell of buddy to secure that for ya. Probably worked on Blackhawks...😮
@@Jim-mn4gd sure was!🤣
Refurb. Nice rifle though. It'll serve you well
Xxxxxxx on stock looks to be refurbished
Bought a crate of Norincos for $49 each.
Ammo was $69 a case.
Have several variants. Your buttplate is not original, probably added to help the short length of pull .
Guage the chamber and muzzle to find out how much its been shot.
Looks nice and clean.
@shoelessb4515 aww man....the good ol days! Seems like my first Factory 26 one was $65 like 20 years ago, was still coveted in cosmoline too!
I was buying them brand new from Kengs ten to the case, complete with sling, bayonet and ammo bandolier for $559.00. Sold them for $75 each and thought I was doing great!