Canadian Import "Clandestine" SKS

[fenceline]

Bit of a mystery from the northern side of the border.  Marstar is/was a huge importer of military style Chinese SKS for the last decade or so.  They even had a deal where you could buy a crate of surplus Chinese 7.62x39, and tack on a SKS for an extra $75 for the longest time.  About a year to a year and a half ago they supply ran out, and Marstar cited increased prices from the Chinese that they believed no one in Canada would pay.  Funny, because private sale prices went from the $150 to $200 price point to over $300 now for an all matching model. 

Anyways...

Most Marstar guns were /636\, /256\ /316\ /306\ arsenal marked.  The occasional /26\ guns would come in, but they were rare compared to the others.  In the last major import though, a group of military configuration SKS came in with no arsenal markings.

The features were all the same, no arsenal, side sling swivels, rear sight П marked, all milled with threaded barrels.

The term "clandestine" was being thrown around given that the left side of the receiver appeared to be scrubbed, but all number on serialized parts matched and were original stamps.

I don't have one, but this is a picture grab from another forum (searching).  The serial number is 01 05xxx

[Loose}{Cannon]

Def scrubbed.  We have plenty of these floating around the US also.

[running-man]

I've seen these from time to time on the Canadian boards and can't help but think that they are relatively new scrubs continuing the 88-94 year code scrubs seen here in the states (see figures 3 through 9 in Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?).

No reason a 01 gun can't mean 2001, and I know I've seen 00 marked Chinese guns pop up in non-US forums too.  Maybe a set of carbines that got scrubbed but never sent to where they were originally intended to go and wound up being sold to Marstar 10 odd years later

As with the ghost guns, I think people are too quick to let their imaginations carry them away with "clandestine", "covert", and my all time favorite "sanitized".  Sometimes a gun is just a gun and the 'unusual' markings are simple to explain away when one realizes that they are simply the bare minimum needed to track an asset (and to facilitate a profit).  A complete gun is worth more than a bunch of unfitted parts.  New looking 'all matching' is obviously easier to sell than something that has severe bluing wear, cracked / tattered stocks, and mismatched components....even if they both function exactly the same. 

[fenceline]

The clandestine theory never took hold with me.  Too incredible a story for no backing whatsoever. I do like the 01 being a scrub date. Shame the original markings were removed. Some of these are very nice.

I'm looking at one right now that is all matching except the receiver cover and the bake lite cover / piston tube.

Just looks beautiful.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Check out the short lug.... Is the front step down to barrel OD rounded?

[fenceline]

Not sure.  Stole the pic off CGN.  I don't have one.  Tempted at the mismatched one because it looks nice and has the bakelite handguard, but will likely go for the 636 gun if that guy ever emails me back.  Don't have a 636 and it sounds all matching.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Is this handguard a french tickler? 

[fenceline]

Is this handguard a french tickler?

Yup.  Says the gas tube and handguard, along with the receiver cover have been replaced.  Stock, mag, trigger group all match the receiver.  Of course the receiver has been scrubbed and a 01-****** added.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Pic of the hg?   Where CA get a french tickler?

Sure we talking about the same HG?

[fenceline]

Yup.  I know the one.  I've got one on a /26\ all matching.

This is the one for sale I was talking about.

[Loose}{Cannon]

I guess it was pulled from a bubba 23/24m 26.

[fenceline]

I guess it was pulled from a bubba 23/24m 26.

He was searching for one a while back.  I think he sourced one out of the US or locally.  Somebody mentioned Numrich at the time.

I don't know why, but the gun looks amazing.  It is funny how one SKS can look awesome, and another look meh.

Something about this one just looks awesome. 

Then again, if the 636 guy would just send me pics of the rifle, or even answer... I'd rather go all matching and an arsenal I don't have over this one.

[Loose}{Cannon]

I see some flat/chalky type finish on that gun (receiver cover) which is common to some late builds and reworks.  I would pass on the scrubbed gun or mismatch.  Don't let the coin burn a hole in your pocket.

[fenceline]

I see some flat/chalky type finish on that gun (receiver cover) which is common to some late builds and reworks.  I would pass on the scrubbed gun with mismatch.  Don't let the coin burn a hole in your pocket.

It is $225 Cdn. So $163 USD right now.  Plus shipping.  The 636 is $300.

Not much burning there haha.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Ok...  Buy the mismatch and a scrub.   

[fenceline]

 

I wouldn`t feel as guilty shooting it haha. 

[running-man]

It is $225 Cdn. So $163 USD right now.  Plus shipping.  The 636 is $300.

Not much burning there haha.

Killin me man!   

I'm with LC...no reason not to get both.  Not like they will drop in value.  If it draws you to it, it's meant to be.