1963 NVA SKS Value

[shooter1975]

All right guys i need some help on figuring the value of a 1963 North Vietnamese SKS (Star with a 1 inside) mismatched numbers, obviously no import marks and is in pretty good shape, 85% of the blue remains and the wood stock is in nice shape as well. Thanks for your help!! Oh the one im looking at is $1,200 + shipping

[Capybara]

No pictures? I think with an SKS, once you enter the market for North Korean, Vietnamese and East German models, there is not as large of a market because there are few of them around so not much in the way of standardized prices. For what you describe, $1,200.00 doesn't sound outrageous to me but I have never bought one.

The Yooper John website has a little info about dates and variants

"This is another one that little is known about as far as the dating goes but it seems that the first 2 digits of the s/n signify the date. All the SKS's produced for North Vietnam seem to have the same serial number sequence and range. Notice the two below are only 860 numbers off. They are referred to as just SKS. Again, as far as date of manufacture goes and judging by the characteristics of the rifles I would estimate the early to mid 60's as the time frame. After the weapon producing factories were bombed most of the weapons were supplied by the Chinese. China was a huge supplier of SKS's to North Vietnam and many of the GI bring backs are of Chinese origin. It is believed that the M21 marked Chinese guns followed the Star 1 guns into North Viet Nam."

Some SKS fanatics from here like SVT40, Bobby R and a few others can probably chime in with actual values.

[shooter1975]

Ill post some pics when i get in thd the office. The thing that has me on the fence is the mismatched numers but i know very little about the market for rare SKS's.

[shooter1975]

Pics added.

[Spyder]

Cool! Tagging for knowledge that will be sure to come!

[Saigon1965]

@Shooter -

That rifle have been on GB for awhile now - His original price was somewhere north of 1700 -

It's a nice rifle - If I was in the buying mood - The price is fair - Considering Chinese mis-match is going for 400 -

First and foremost - The stock have been refinished - The numbers part is tough - These things have been around and in the field they get put back together with a lot of Chinese parts to get her back in to the fight -

Is the stock matching? I don't recall if it have bring back papers - Should not be a big deal - But it sure adds some value -

There's another one that was/is listed for 2750 - Superb condition -


I have a few of these - Actually have a sixth not in picure -

[shooter1975]

Yeah its been on for a while for a reason I guess!!!! I did see that one for $2,750 on GB. Thanks for the help and info!!!! If it was all matching and not refinished I would have jumped on it but thats not the case!!!! Man Im glad I checked with everyone here first!!! Saved me some $$$$!

Beautiful collection by the way!

[echo1]

Those are just Saigon's teaser picts. He got some very cool stuff, very cool. PAX

[Capybara]

If the stock has been sanded/refinished, for most collectors, most of the collectibility wafted away with the sawdust and finish that was removed. Still a cool rifle but not that collectible anymore. Original finish is a deal breaker for most collectors, matching numbers are nice but not always a big deal, and of course, provenance through bring back papers are all what would make that rifle worth a lot more.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

The answer to your post just depends.. If you simply want a NVA SKS to check off from your collection wants, yes. If you want to collect museum quality perfect specimens, I'd wait for a better one. In any case it is quite rare and it would be hard to lose money on it at that price.

I have only seen a few on the market ever, same with a NK. The NK I believe was in ratty condition but was still several grand. I have never seen an EG SKS for sale at any price.

[shooter1975]

The answer to your post just depends.. If you simply want a NVA SKS to check off from your collection wants, yes. If you want to collect museum quality perfect specimens, I'd wait for a better one. In any case it is quite rare and it would be hard to lose money on it at that price.

I have only seen a few on the market ever, same with a NK. The NK I believe was in ratty condition but was still several grand. I have never seen an EG SKS for sale at any price.

You know ive never been one to just buy a rifle just to check it off my list. I try to find the beat sepeciman i can that fits my budget at the time. Im sure it will be relisted on GB soon!!

[Saigon1965]

For some of us - The item is so rare that once found in any condition - We add it -

I've a Luger brought back from Vietnam - It was refinished - I had to have it - Where/when am I going to see another -

Cheers!