SN beginning with "21" would be 1976 manufacture and that "8-76-4" number sequence appears to coincide with the year of manufacture. Coincidence? I haven't paid a lot of attention to the later builds, so I'm not certain but I'd lean toward it being the year.
I'm 99% certain that finish was original as you can see in the stampings on the before pictures you added. It was just flaking shellac. I would have definitely left it but I'm close to the last click at the purist end of the purist-bubba spectrum and now what's done is done. Enjoy it!
Thanks for the info my man. You're a walking SKS encyclopedia.
Ahh I kind of figured that was the date on there. What is that... month, year, day? Not familiar with that at all.
So are the 0223 guns rare/limited production? Special factory or something? Civilian or Military market?
If you're that sure about the finish then you're probably right. There was shellac (right, thats what it's called) all over the metal butt plate and the loop for the strap. I thought for sure someone went over it and just didn't give a **** about it. Guess I was wrong. That is some quality control haha.
Ahh well. I was torn about refinishing it but the carpenter in me just couldn't live with the bubbling and flaking.
Anyways thanks a bunch guys.
1976... that's cool. Same year the first Rocky movie came out.