Curious about value

[carls sks]

beautiful, if paperwork is real or not. doesn't get any better.  ......    I'm jealous.

[running-man]

Very nice!  That was a steal of a deal!  I would add my vote for not removing any more grease than you already have.  If legit, that gun is worth north of $1000 simply due to the condition.   Are there any electropencilled numbers on the gas piston or under the gas tube?  I'm curious as a '66 captured in '68 still in the grease in a crate in that kind of condition is about as close to 'unissued' as I think we're ever going to get.

If I were you, I would do my best to preserve the original docs as best I could. You said they are in pieces, so it sounds like they may be close to the point of no return. The black redaction is also probably not the best thing for them either; if they are folded up those areas could maybe transfer to other parts of the document or other documents. Remember, no lamination and no tape, you want to preserve, not irreversibly modify or damage!

Another thing I would do is to see if I could get the vet to write down how he came about it in some document for you.  Get the who what where when and as much detail of his group as he cares to remember. Then see if the vet would sign and notarize this document for you. It may be a bit of a tough sell, but if you could get it, that would be a grand slam right there!

Again very nice, thanks for sharing it!!

[EdPoe]

Yes, the last four of the serial number are on the bottom of the gas tube and the stem of the gas piston.  Is this a good or a bad thing?  Getting him to write down the story and have it notarized is a great idea. I'll have to see if he will do that for me.

[Phosphorus32]

Good thing! The electropenciled numbers on the gas tube and piston are as they should be.

[Power Surge]

Very nice!  That was a steal of a deal!  I would add my vote for not removing any more grease than you already have.  If legit, that gun is worth north of $1000 simply due to the condition.   Are there any electropencilled numbers on the gas piston or under the gas tube?  I'm curious as a '66 captured in '68 still in the grease in a crate in that kind of condition is about as close to 'unissued' as I think we're ever going to get.

If I were you, I would do my best to preserve the original docs as best I could. You said they are in pieces, so it sounds like they may be close to the point of no return. The black redaction is also probably not the best thing for them either; if they are folded up those areas could maybe transfer to other parts of the document or other documents. Remember, no lamination and no tape, you want to preserve, not irreversibly modify or damage!

Another thing I would do is to see if I could get the vet to write down how he came about it in some document for you.  Get the who what where when and as much detail of his group as he cares to remember. Then see if the vet would sign and notarize this document for you. It may be a bit of a tough sell, but if you could get it, that would be a grand slam right there!

Again very nice, thanks for sharing it!!

Joe, are you saying that brand new guns were packed in cosmo right from production?

[running-man]

Based on the Marstar crates from Canada, I think its certainly possible (at least for firearms that would not be put immediately into service).  I was actually kind of hoping that there would be no EP on this gun, but the data is the data. It still bugs me that they would EP a universal fit part like a gas piston on a brand spanking new gun, but there you go. Either they EP'd at initial build or this gun went through at least a notional 'refurb' before being packed in that grease in the crate. Heck maybe the grease was done at the refurb shop and they just processed it like they did all the other guns that passed through.

[Power Surge]

Based on the Marstar crates from Canada, I think its certainly possible (at least for firearms that would not be put immediately into service).  I was actually kind of hoping that there would be no EP on this gun, but the data is the data. It still bugs me that they would EP a universal fit part like a gas piston on a brand spanking new gun, but there you go. Either they EP'd at initial build or this gun went through at least a notional 'refurb' before being packed in that grease in the crate. Heck maybe the grease was done at the refurb shop and they just processed it like they did all the other guns that passed through.

I don't think it's that odd that the gas piston and tube were EP'd at the factory. Don't forget that the underside of the sight leaf is EP'd too....and you don't get any more "non-critical" than a sight leaf, lol.

Believe it or not, I don't think gas pistons and tubes are 100% interchangeable. The custom SKS project I'm building right now is being made from two different Chinese guns, and the nicer gas tube from one gun, fit too tightly inside the nicer gas tube from the other gun.

[EdPoe]

I did notice that I have the milled trigger guard and the one piece gas tube.  Does that mean that this is an early 66?  I read that those items changed in 66.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Sounds about right on the trigger guard..  PS also has a good point.  Gas tubes ARE fitted to each gun, however they mostly interchange without fit adjustment. I have never believed EPs mean refurb in any way shape or form.

[firstchoice]

Wow, what a great find at that price! Definitely try for the (signed and notorized) documented story from the captor/liberator of the rifle. That would add interest in any bringback that I would want to purchase. But I love the history even more. Once that vet passes on, the history passes with him.

Congratulations on an incredible $250.00 purchase!

And, +1 on the "don't change a thing"! If you feel the need to have a shooter, I'll fix you up REAL nice and "hold" onto the bringback for you! 

firstchoice

[70Swinger440]

I have a pretty extensive collection of non-fiction history books about Vietnam, written by men who served in combat. Several of the books are about the incursion into Cambodia. There were numerous stories, with pictures, of stockpiles of weapons in crates, being stored for future fighting. One of the pics, is of several men opening crates of brand new AK-47s and SKSs, that were coated in cosmoline. I wish I could remember which book it is in, but I've been collecting these books for 20 years. Might be time to start re-reading them...

[Direct Connection]

Welcome to the boards Ed. Vacaville ?  Damn, Im in Dixon and you have come to the right place for your info. most of these guys here have forgotten more about the sks then ill ever know. Nice looking SkS you got there. Your a lucky guy  Congrats !  Most sks guys like Cal Guns but you never know what your going to get there  .. Hope you hang around. This is a Great place..   

[Phosphorus32]

I have a pretty extensive collection of non-fiction history books about Vietnam, written by men who served in combat. Several of the books are about the incursion into Cambodia. There were numerous stories, with pictures, of stockpiles of weapons in crates, being stored for future fighting. One of the pics, is of several men opening crates of brand new AK-47s and SKSs, that were coated in cosmoline. I wish I could remember which book it is in, but I've been collecting these books for 20 years. Might be time to start re-reading them...

Makes sense with Cambodia being at the Mekong Delta end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

[Dannyboy53]

Makes sense with Cambodia being at the Mekong Delta end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

This is what I was thinking, tons of supplies were moved for years along that trail. Imagine what might still be lying out there, what's left of it that is!