K Letter Gun with laminated stock

[pcke2000]

Auction just ended on GB:

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/600705226

Anyone here won it? It looks like a non-refurb (or very light refurb) with the original laminated stock. Any comments? Thank you.

[running-man]

I don't recognize the buyer.  Certainly a VG as-issued letter gun.  Those K's are darn hard to find in that condition! 

10 years from now, that $800 price is going to seem like quite a deal I suspect. 

[pcke2000]

I almost bid on that rifle, however after I saw the photo of the gas tube, I changed my mind

[running-man]

I don't think the gas tube is a replacement.  I think Ivan might have engraved an incorrect numeral 6 first and then did a quick crossout and then being flustered at messing up one of Stalin's weapons quickly etched the 969 afterwards.   



Either that or this was a gas tube off another three digit "TУ" prefixed gun.  They went through at least TУ8236, so definitely quite a few more 4 digit tubes then there would have been three digit tubes: 


Not a pretty engraving for certain, but the rest of the gun is darn near perfect, especially the stock.

[montigre]

Wow, that's a looker!!  Cheers to whomever won that one!

[pcke2000]

Thank you, RM. it's possible. When I was studying that picture, I felt like that the first 9 was more like an original 0, the 6 looked strange too. That's why I was not sure it's a real non-refurb or a very light refurb (repaired) sample.

[running-man]

Thank you, RM. it's possible. When I was studying that picture, I felt like that the first 9 was more like an original 0, the 6 looked strange too. That's why I was not sure it's a real non-refurb or a very light refurb (repaired) sample.

It's certainly possible pcke, maybe it started out life as 1059?  I could buy that I suppose. 

You don't normally see a swapped gas tube with a correct handguard (wood vs laminate) as well as having the correct finish though.

I think it's one of those things we just will never know for certain.

[running-man]

I see that 06sandstone bought this one (http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?648033-Letter-K-finally!)

He's certainly amassed quite the collection over the years.  Used to be a member here but had a falling out with someone as is wont to happen from time to time.  

Hope he gets you those pics of the gas tube pcke, I'm curious on it too now.