Here's a very nice looking '54 Russian on my local used market, that the guy is only asking $425 for. I'm curious about the ser. # on the trigger guard, it's clearly hand-written, and looks to be written in some kind of ink, rather than etched in.
I was wondering if this was unusual, or commonly seen, and what you guys make of it.
(scroll down to post #2 for the pics that include the trigger guard)
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/threads/fs-russian-sks-with-bayonet-and-all-s-n-matching.995803/
Could easily be marked with a paint pen. The BBQ'd surfaces of the gun might have made EP'ing difficult, or maybe it was EP'd but the BBQ paint surface changes the look? Hard to say, but nothing surprises me on a Russian anymore.
I don't know how "nice looking" I would call it...that's a pretty heavy refurb. I'm not too keen on EPd refurb parts, because anyone can do that to make a gun look matched. IMO, compared to all the EPd refurb parts I've seen, the handwriting on that trigger group looks way too nicely done.
Personally, I wouldn't pay $450 for that particular gun. There are WAY nicer light refurbs still in the blue for that kind of money.