1951 Russian SKS Value?

EtienneC

I have a 1951 Russian SKS that has the refurbish markings but also has matching serial numbers on everything. Has original wood/laminated stock, cleaning kit, and sling. Plus an after-market muzzle break.

I will post pics soon, but can anyone give me a ballpark value estimate? Rifle is in great condition.

Thanks for your time!

EtienneC

So, my father passed away a couple of months ago, and mom wants to liquidate his guns except for a couple.

One sticks out to me, a 1951 Russian SKS with ALL matching numbers(no cross outs), a nice clean bayonet, the sling, and even the cleaning kit in the stock. I seriously doubt dad ever fired it.

I know the value on these types of weapons can range pretty widely. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry if this is too many pictures

rufe-snow

It appears from your photos that it hasn't been arsenal reworked, as many of them exported as surplus to the US in the 90's were.

Most of the reworks had a black paint finish, distinctive rework arsenal markings, replacement laminated stocks etc.

From your photos yours looks arsenal original, other than perhaps the stock has been sanded and revarnished?

Primo original ones like yours have almost entirely disappeared in collections now. My WAG being in arsenal original condition, would make it $600 to $800 to a knowledgeable collector.

nmyers

I think that the stock finish is also original.

All Russian SKS rifles legally imported to the US should have importer markings & a new serial number stamped by the importer. We need to know if your rifle has them, or not.

And, potential buyers will want to know the condition of the bore.

Neal

EDIT: "Importer markings" are the name, city, & state of the importer. The "name" may just be a mail drop name; e.g., ABC Co.
EDIT2: Photos show "importer markings", matte black arsenal refinish, forced match mag cover numbers:

Grasshopper

Around 400 ish imo,,stock has some minor issues.. I just sold a stone mint Chinese for 400 here,,and Russians bring a little more-

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by nmyers
I think that the stock finish is also original.

All Russian SKS rifles legally imported to the US should have importer markings & a new serial number stamped by the importer. We need to know if your rifle has them, or not.

And, potential buyers will want to know the condition of the bore.

Neal




Neal, some were not renumbered, but just have the Cyrillic letters in their serial numbers transposed to letters in our alphabet. They just marked them over the originals on the receiver, as shown in the OP's photo.

EtienneC

I didn't get a picture of it, but there is a tiny little import stamp right by the bayonet handle on the barrel. I didn't see a S/N, but I was pressed for time. And the bore looks like it is in great shape (to my untrained eye).

So, somewhere between $400 and $800?

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by EtienneC
I didn't get a picture of it, but there is a tiny little import stamp right by the bayonet handle on the barrel. I didn't see a S/N, but I was pressed for time. And the bore looks like it is in great shape (to my untrained eye).

So, somewhere between $400 and $800?




I would buy them by the shipping container, if I could get them @ $400 each.

Grasshopper

would buy them by the shipping container, if I could get them @ $400 each.

Well, I see some on the auction at 400-450 selling,,,some asking more but no bids,,,but hey, who am I to add anything to the Experts..[|)][B)]
BTW,,the one above is NOT a perfect example-

5mmgunguy

Probably $400 to $450.

beantownshootah

Actual selling prices on Russian SKS rifles on the auction site for the last three months have been about $350-750.

The cheaper ones all appear to be in non-factory condition. They have bayonets removed, replacement stocks, etc.

Typical price on these seems to be about $450. Matching serial numbers, unusually good looking wood, and like-new condition all seem to add value.

This particular one isn't perfect, but I'd say its above average. . . .maybe $450-500.

Personally, I wouldn't sell it.

SKS rifles are highly utilitarian guns, and despite being semi-auto rifles with folding bayonets, the lack of detachable high cap magazine and vertical pistol grips mean that these are not considered "assault rifles" anywhere in the USA!

At this point pretty much all the supplies of military surplus SKS guns have dried up, and so far as I know, none of the European countries are making any more of these either. In typical milsurp fashion, even though not all that long ago these were considered "junk" guns, the prices on them have gone up drastically over the last 10 years and continue to do so. The Russian guns in particular are considered to be the best in quality of the commonly available SKS guns.

The point is, you have a nice looking, functional, and relatively desirable military style semi-auto rifle there that's probably only going to continue to appreciate in value. In terms of absolute value, its probably not that much, but if you have any possible interest in an actual defensive, sporting, or even hunting type rifle, that one is not a bad one to have.

Grasshopper

At this point pretty much all the supplies of military surplus SKS guns have dried up, and so far as I know, none of the European countries are making any more of these either.

I believe Barry has stopped all the imports of parts, guns ect from Europe with an executive order...I could be wrong-
So I do believe these will never go down in value, although I can't read tea leaves either-