Bringback SKS opinions?

[aghauler]

I have a few Chinese SKS rifles which were not import marked... I know they were post 1986 imports, as I bought them directly from the owner of the import company....

Curious to know how many of your non import marked SKS's show this much metal finish wear with corresponding wear to the original stock and handguard?

[highpower]

I recently picked up a RC K98 with no import mark.

[aghauler]

I recently picked up a RC K98 with no import mark.

I expect that was a bringback?

None of my Arisakas have import markings. At least one of those is a bringback presented to me by the GI that brought it home from Japan, no papers, he was told to fall in and file through a Japanese Army barracks take one item (rifle) from left pile, one item (bolt) from right pile keep moving that's your War Trophy, put it in your gear and take it home, they were handing them out buy the hundreds.

Picking up a Type 44 tomorrow or Weds at Sunrise Pass Arms.

I once had G98 Mauser that I knew was a bringback based on the evidence...
it was duffle cut, seller never disclosed that and refused to take it back. Ah the days of the old "GUN List and Shotgun News" when you read them cover to cover and dreamed about what you would like to buy!

If only these old firearms could talk the stories they could tell

[FLIGHT762]

I would send it back. Get your money back and buy another one that is at least honestly described. Your rifle is 1967 mfg. It is not in great shape.

[aghauler]

I would send it back. Get your money back and buy another one that is at least honestly described. Your rifle is 1967 mfg. It is not in great shape.

Still an option, but will of course lose the cost of shipping and what I paid for initial shipping + DROS and Transfer fee (receiving FFL isn't into C&R's or military stuff so didn't alert me to condition and I felt obligated to complete the deal).

[SVT-40]

Curious to know how many of your non import marked SKS's show this much metal finish wear with corresponding wear to the original stock and handguard?

Only a few show much wear.... The other rifles I have which are not marked are like new..

A few pic's of one of them... It's a "Precision degree gun". A very rare variant.






I do have a papered Chinese bring back which is also in excellent condition..



True papered bring backs will range in condition to worse than yours to almost new...

I do have a North Vietnamese made SKS with no papers... It's just beat...

[aghauler]

Only a few show much wear.... The other rifles I have which are not marked are like new..

A few pic's of one of them... It's a "Precision degree gun". A very rare variant.






I do have a papered Chinese bring back which is also in excellent condition..



True papered bring backs will range in condition to worse than yours to almost new...

I do have a North Vietnamese made SKS with no papers... It's just beat...

Thanks for the great photos, nice collection.

The one I have would be somewhat similar to the same condition (if it retained its original wood) as your NVA papered bringback. Thanks for that photo.

My hypothesis now would be why would an importer accept an SKS in poor condition when during the 1980 and early 1990's one could buy a new SKS for around $100? I would expect a diligent importer would thoughly inspect and cull what they're importing as back during that time frame (I know people that did that were importing Italian Garands) SKS's were cheap and not in high demand. Who would want to buy one in such poor condition, other than a true collector looking for that "special piece" for the collection. So my thought would be this thing didn't pass through an importer. But that's all speculation of course.

The bullet damage is quite unique on the NVA SKS and aletter to Val Forgett no less!!!!!

Again thanks for sharing those great photos you have some great stuff!

[omega]

the wear / patina looks like typical Vietnam jungle used, it appears to be an un papered bringback to me, the resin fiberglass stock may be original to the gun, but does the metal hardware on the stock buttplate & swivels show consistant rust? if not then it was probably added later

since you will lose shipping fees and DROS fees, maybe it's not a bad idea to keep it and just add that matching upper handguard, if you decide to clean it up, I would lightly clean and oil it, and try to leave the patina intact, and dont scrub it all off.

[NOTABIKER]

My ARMY buddy from VN brought home a SKS with proper paperwork. Unfortunately he lives in Conn and it will be destroyed when he dies. His son does not want it and he thinks he cannot legally sell it. I pushed him as hard as i could to do something to save it. I can tell it is not a subject to bring up again.

[SVT-40]

My ARMY buddy from VN brought home a SKS with proper paperwork. Unfortunately he lives in Conn and it will be destroyed when he dies. His son does not want it and he thinks he cannot legally sell it. I pushed him as hard as i could to do something to save it. I can tell it is not a subject to bring up again.

Sad... The stupidity of some, which will lead to the destruction of a genuine piece of history...

[aghauler]

the wear / patina looks like typical Vietnam jungle used, it appears to be an un papered bringback to me, the resin fiberglass stock may be original to the gun, but does the metal hardware on the stock buttplate & swivels show consistant rust? if not then it was probably added later

since you will lose shipping fees and DROS fees, maybe it's not a bad idea to keep it and just add that matching upper handguard, if you decide to clean it up, I would lightly clean and oil it, and try to leave the patina intact, and dont scrub it all off.

I'm sure the stock isn't original to this SKS, the buttplate doesn't show the same patina, wear. I agree it's an undocumented bring back with replaced stock(quite sometime ago) and recently replaced hanguard. The bore is mint,
gas tube although dirty is smooth and cleaner now.
I did a cleanup on it this AM and fitted the handguard after trashing that hideous poorly fitted ventilated handguard, maybe that's what turned me off so quickly.
There are traces of blue here and there under the stock put mostly a brown patina. The action is very smooth so I'm guess this was well broken in although I hate to think how.
It's a keeper no doubt, thanks to all for opinions and SVT40 for the photos!
Anyway here are the post cleanup photos.
There is a N 40 (possibly more I can't tell) on the base of the barrel under the rear sight and small 16 on the very base of the barrel under the stock.

[echo1]

Nice save, looks fine. I think the spikers in a couple of those photos the bayo is upside down. PAX

[FLIGHT762]

[aghauler]

Nice save, looks fine. I think the spikers in a couple of those photos the bayo is upside down. PAX

Thanks, been 30 years since I've had my hands on a SKS with a spike bayonet,
didn't notice. Will check the screw to see if it's been buggered at some point in time, didn't know they are reversible!

[aghauler]

Yeah I'm ok with it, don't know how this former 01 FFL and Vietnam Vet could have misdescribed it. I've seen other suspected non documented SKS, based on similar finish wear, with obvious replacement stocks and handguards, but the prices are higher, some I'm good with it as a shooter.