Most valuable (country made) SKS
- Thread starter 8shot357
- Start date
FrankenMauser
New member
If it's beat up, with forced-match numbers, the guy is crazy. But...
For a good Russian, that's not a bad asking price. (Tulas usually command a slightly higher price, but other factories still made good rifles.) They're better rifles than the common breeds (Yugo, Romanian, Norincos, etc). They were generally finished better. And, they carry more nostalgia for most mil-surp collectors/owners.
If it happens to be one of the uncommon versions, that might be a pretty reasonable price (such as the limited number of 1955 Tulas whose only identifying mark was a tiny Tula star on the side of the receiver, rather than a large star on top). The Russians have moved into collectors' territory, more, and more, over the last ten years. Matching numbers, uncommon stocks, uncommon markings, no re-arsenal marks, and other factors can take a good Russian into $500-700 territory, pretty quickly. (Markets across the country vary wildly, though.)
hivoltagefx4
New member
What Darren007 stated is the reason that I went with a Russian Tula SKS. I just got mine less than 2 weeks ago and it is in fantastic shape. Yes, I could have spent less, but I wanted a true Russian SKS. Thankfully though, I did not lay out $500 for mine 
The thing is? It does look like these will only continue to go up in price. From what I hear, these were around $100 or so just a few years ago
The thing is? It does look like these will only continue to go up in price. From what I hear, these were around $100 or so just a few years ago
chris in va
New member
Bought a Yugo SKS a few years ago for $250. Spent 4 hours de-cosmolining the sucker, shot it a few months...sat in the safe three years. Sold it for $250 once I got my Saiga.
Stressfire
New member
Russian is most desirable, however if you are going for collectible you would want to look for one that has not been refurbished.
Easy way to tell is that there will be crosshatch patterns over all of the original serial numbers.
Easy way to tell is that there will be crosshatch patterns over all of the original serial numbers.
hivoltagefx4
New member
That is what I have! A non refurbed Russian SKS. You can see the Tula marks on the stock and the crosshatch patterns over all of the original serial numbers.
8shot, you are way off.
I've had 30 or 40 SKSs over the years. I had my C&R when Romanians, Yugos, and Albanians first came out and bought them in lots of 5. I would go through each lot and hand pick out the best 3 and keep them then sell or trade the others to further my collection. I also had a standing rule that I would buy any Chinese SKS I saw in a pawn shop if I could get it for $150 OTD.
1) The most valuable of all the SKSs commonly seen in the US is the Albanian. Albanians were built to be different, mostly just for the sake of being different. They have the roughest wood and machining, and the 5 I got all had bad triggers, but they all shot OK once you scraped off the pound of cosmoline they came packed in.
The value isn't because they are the best, because they aren't. The machining is usually rough, the wood is poorly finished, and they have fewer interchangeable parts than any other SKS. Their value is solely because so few of them were made and of the ones made, only a small percentage made it into the US. They go for about $600 wholesale.
2) Next is the Russian. Russian SKSs are all magnificent rifles and were either new or like new after being rearsonaled prior to storage for decades before they were imported. They are the best quality SKS made but were imported in large enough numbers that they aren't all that rare. Unless it's been sporterized they typically go from $350-$500.
3) After that it depends on condition, a Romanian SKS in like new condition is almost as good as a Russian in the same condition because they were made to the exact same specification. Unfortunately, Romania didn't have a methodical rearsenal process so many of the are only in good condition. Price varies from $250-$400
4) Chinese SKS all work fine. They can be either commercial rifles or military rifles. The commercial rifles were made specifically for export and they often cut some corners like pinning the barrels instead of threading them into the receivers. While the commercial rifles are reliable and durable, their fit and finish is less than other SKSs. On the upside, they were never issued to a soldier for him to abuse and as a result are often among the most pristine SKSs you can own.
The military production rifles are nicer than the commercial production rifles and always have threaded barrels. I have a couple standard configuration military production Chinese SKSs, a couple 16" paras, and a SKS "D", they all shoot good and are durable and reliable. One para has a slightly canted front sight that doesn't affect anything but the alignment of the bayonet when folded. Prices decrease if they have aftermarket parts installed. $200-$350
5) Yugoslavian SKSs can be great or they can be the worst piece of crap you ever had the misfortune of owning. In the lot of 5 I bought, 3 had to be sent back because the gas system was so badly corroded they wouldn't cycle. I had to send back one of the 3 replacements for the same reason. The problem with them is threefold:
a) Yugos have a gas cutoff valve and it collects corrosive salts, causing them to corrode and make a bad gas seal to the gas system.
b) Yugos are the only SKS imported that didn't have a chrome lined bore. Furthermore, they actually saw extensive field use in Yugoslavia's civil wars and they are likely to have suffered poor or non existent maintenance by conscripted soldiers and militia during that time. Dark or pitted bores are common.
c) All Yugoslavia ammo uses corrosive primers.
Furthermore, I have seen a couple yugos that I examined and found them to be missing the spring that locks the gas cutoff button into position. The combination of hard use by poorly trained soldiers with corrosive ammo and a poorly thought out and unnecessary design change makes the Yugos the worst of ALL the SKSs. If you can get one in new or unissued condition and take care of it they can be great, but most of the ones in this country aren't in that sort of condition.
Yugos range from like new and unissued to poor condition and vary in price accordingly. Dark heavily pitted barrels aren't uncommon. Many Yugos are prone to short stroking and failures to eject after firing. Value varies widely from a corroded barreled action for $50 to $350 for an unissued rifle in perfect condition.
I have ALOT of SKS variants. If I ever sell them the Yugo will be the first to go and the Russian or Chinese the last.
I've had 30 or 40 SKSs over the years. I had my C&R when Romanians, Yugos, and Albanians first came out and bought them in lots of 5. I would go through each lot and hand pick out the best 3 and keep them then sell or trade the others to further my collection. I also had a standing rule that I would buy any Chinese SKS I saw in a pawn shop if I could get it for $150 OTD.
1) The most valuable of all the SKSs commonly seen in the US is the Albanian. Albanians were built to be different, mostly just for the sake of being different. They have the roughest wood and machining, and the 5 I got all had bad triggers, but they all shot OK once you scraped off the pound of cosmoline they came packed in.
The value isn't because they are the best, because they aren't. The machining is usually rough, the wood is poorly finished, and they have fewer interchangeable parts than any other SKS. Their value is solely because so few of them were made and of the ones made, only a small percentage made it into the US. They go for about $600 wholesale.
2) Next is the Russian. Russian SKSs are all magnificent rifles and were either new or like new after being rearsonaled prior to storage for decades before they were imported. They are the best quality SKS made but were imported in large enough numbers that they aren't all that rare. Unless it's been sporterized they typically go from $350-$500.
3) After that it depends on condition, a Romanian SKS in like new condition is almost as good as a Russian in the same condition because they were made to the exact same specification. Unfortunately, Romania didn't have a methodical rearsenal process so many of the are only in good condition. Price varies from $250-$400
4) Chinese SKS all work fine. They can be either commercial rifles or military rifles. The commercial rifles were made specifically for export and they often cut some corners like pinning the barrels instead of threading them into the receivers. While the commercial rifles are reliable and durable, their fit and finish is less than other SKSs. On the upside, they were never issued to a soldier for him to abuse and as a result are often among the most pristine SKSs you can own.
The military production rifles are nicer than the commercial production rifles and always have threaded barrels. I have a couple standard configuration military production Chinese SKSs, a couple 16" paras, and a SKS "D", they all shoot good and are durable and reliable. One para has a slightly canted front sight that doesn't affect anything but the alignment of the bayonet when folded. Prices decrease if they have aftermarket parts installed. $200-$350
5) Yugoslavian SKSs can be great or they can be the worst piece of crap you ever had the misfortune of owning. In the lot of 5 I bought, 3 had to be sent back because the gas system was so badly corroded they wouldn't cycle. I had to send back one of the 3 replacements for the same reason. The problem with them is threefold:
a) Yugos have a gas cutoff valve and it collects corrosive salts, causing them to corrode and make a bad gas seal to the gas system.
b) Yugos are the only SKS imported that didn't have a chrome lined bore. Furthermore, they actually saw extensive field use in Yugoslavia's civil wars and they are likely to have suffered poor or non existent maintenance by conscripted soldiers and militia during that time. Dark or pitted bores are common.
c) All Yugoslavia ammo uses corrosive primers.
Furthermore, I have seen a couple yugos that I examined and found them to be missing the spring that locks the gas cutoff button into position. The combination of hard use by poorly trained soldiers with corrosive ammo and a poorly thought out and unnecessary design change makes the Yugos the worst of ALL the SKSs. If you can get one in new or unissued condition and take care of it they can be great, but most of the ones in this country aren't in that sort of condition.
Yugos range from like new and unissued to poor condition and vary in price accordingly. Dark heavily pitted barrels aren't uncommon. Many Yugos are prone to short stroking and failures to eject after firing. Value varies widely from a corroded barreled action for $50 to $350 for an unissued rifle in perfect condition.
I have ALOT of SKS variants. If I ever sell them the Yugo will be the first to go and the Russian or Chinese the last.
Last edited:
FrankenMauser
New member
The easiest way to tell, is to look for the "slash box" re-arsenal stamping on any parts (photo below). The easiest to spot, and commonly replaced parts: Receiver dust cover. Trigger group (look at the trigger guard). Magazine box.
If it has the cross-hatch markings on the serial number(s), it has been re-arsenaled (long ago, in Russia) or refurbished (probably state side, and recent).
The "slash box" stamping indicates a re-arsenal part:
The lack of that stamp, combined with blank dust covers or mis-matched serial numbers is a pretty good indication of a gun built from parts, or a state-side rebuild.
Attachments
Is that all you have?
No, seriously, thanks for taking the time to educate me on the SKS's, I feel like I just went through SKS college.
I'm not sure I'm a graduate yet, but I know I'm an Internet expert. LOL
#11
chack
I read, and re-read, all of what you said out of respect for you, and others that had addressed my question, thank you.
TBS, my neighbor has an unfired (?) Chinese's SKS he got for $100 years ago. I'm going to offer the cheap SOB $200.. I'm not sure what it's worth, but I wouldn't pay more than $200.
Chack,
I just wanted to educate myself on the values of the SKS, and you did that, and more. My hat's off to you Sr..
Thanks, this thread can be closed now!
Salute!!!!
No, seriously, thanks for taking the time to educate me on the SKS's, I feel like I just went through SKS college.
I'm not sure I'm a graduate yet, but I know I'm an Internet expert. LOL
#11
chack
I read, and re-read, all of what you said out of respect for you, and others that had addressed my question, thank you.
TBS, my neighbor has an unfired (?) Chinese's SKS he got for $100 years ago. I'm going to offer the cheap SOB $200.. I'm not sure what it's worth, but I wouldn't pay more than $200.
Chack,
I just wanted to educate myself on the values of the SKS, and you did that, and more. My hat's off to you Sr..
Thanks, this thread can be closed now!
Salute!!!!
I have a Chinese, (Norinco?) that I bought in the mid/late 80s for $85 at a shop in Sacramento. All the numbers match, stock, bolt, receiver barrel, and trigger group, (18500). It is in very good shape. The wood has the usual wear marks and it appears to be an honest war vet. Has the folding spike bayonet and cleaning kit. The bore is chrome lined and about perfect. Good shooter,