Albanian SKS For Review

[Bobby Ricigliano]

The Albanian SKS is the least "common" among the common SKS varieties, and a neat variant to own for the SKS enthusiast. I have had (1) for some time that came apparently unissued and still in cosmolene, so it has never really seen the light of day as a safe queen.

As I have looked around for another to be a "shooter", the prices have crept up and the selection has crept down. It is fairly accepted wisdom that there were around 17,000 - 18,000 made, with only about 5-6000 ever making it stateside. Many were allegedly destroyed during the 1990's as the UN tried to bring order to the ethnic wars in the Balkans.

I found this production information on another board, and I believe it to be pretty accurate:

1967 ----- 980
1968 ----- 570
1969 -----2800
1970 -----2980
1971 -----2620
1972 thru 1975 no known production reported
1976 ---- 160
1977 ---- 660
1978 ---- 4960
1979 ---- 800
UNDATED ---- 420
This would bring an estimated total production over the years to ------16,950. An estimated 2/3 of these were either destroyed or given away , This would leave a total estimated count remaining of -----5700


I lucked into this one, and was especially glad to find an early specimen that wasn't a parts gun or beat to crap. Some honest wear but all matching and comparatively excellent to many of the Alby's out there:









Just for comparison, here is my other one, 1978 (most common year) but tip top for the most part:

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I am pretty sure the sling is incorrect, but I haven't found any markings for clues. Most of the Albanians I have seen had the typical green /brown comblock style fabric material.

[SamGoldstein]

Wanna sell it?

[paddle88]

Thanks for sharing!

[userformerlyknownasfitty]

Wow that is a great sample. So these are the rarest breed huh? Rarest in terms of production numbers or just rare to find in the us? Because I would have thought if judging by the latter, then the North Korean sks would take that title, no?

[81turbota]

Wow that is a great sample. So these are the rarest breed huh? Rarest in terms of production numbers or just rare to find in the us? Because I would have thought if judging by the latter, then the North Korean sks would take that title, no?

The NK and E.G. SKS are very rare

Excellent Albanian BR!!

[marksmandowntown]

That's one of the nicest ones that I've ever seen. I've got one of the beat to crap ones. Mine is better than average, but I've been looking for one like yours for a couple of years now. It's been tough to find one in really good shape that hasn't been refinished. Anyway, Big Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Wow that is a great sample. So these are the rarest breed huh? Rarest in terms of production numbers or just rare to find in the us? Because I would have thought if judging by the latter, then the North Korean sks would take that title, no?

Definitely not the rarest breed, but relatively uncommon. Not anywhere near the same league as a NK or VT, or an EG. Albanians can still be found well south of $1K if the buyer is willing to look for them.

[userformerlyknownasfitty]

Definitely not the rarest breed, but relatively uncommon. Not anywhere near the same league as a NK or VT, or an EG. Albanians can still be found well south of $1K if the buyer is willing to look for them.

Ah, thank you Bobby and Turbota.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

That's one of the nicest ones that I've ever seen. I've got one of the beat to crap ones. Mine is better than average, but I've been looking for one like yours for a couple of years now. It's been tough to find one in really good shape that hasn't been refinished. Anyway, Big Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Thank you. The new one I posted looks to have some sort of thin shellack finish, but all of the unaltered ones I've seen were identical. Stocks that are unfinished or rough looking have almost undoubtedly been stripped at some point.

[plumbum]

20 years ago I would have given you $100 for it, but since you are a reasonable man, I am willing to double that offer for you today.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

20 years ago I would have given you $100 for it, but since you are a reasonable man, I am willing to double that offer for you today.

Thanks for the offer, but I will not take anything less than $207.50

[Lucky Scott]

Very nice. So, not talking about yours, but if somebody ran across another one what would be a reasonable & realistic price for one nowadays?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Very nice. So, not talking about yours, but if somebody ran across another one what would be a reasonable & realistic price for one nowadays?

Beat up mixmaster = $400 - $450

All matching in decent shape and functional $550-$600

Perfect matching inside and out $650 - $850, maybe more if low production year.

[Enfield47]

Congrats Bobby. That's a fine looking Albanian SKS you acquired.