Curious about value

[EdPoe]

Hello everyone and thank for reading this post.  I just picked up a Vietnam war trophy type 56.  I know there are a lot of these stories out there but I would value your opinion on the rifle and what it might be worth.  Here's the story:  I bought this directly from the man who captured it.  He says that his platoon cleared out an underground bunker and found two crates full of new type 56 packed in cosmoline.  Everyone took one.  I have the paperwork (form DD 603, form DD 603-1, and the embassy paperwork) identifying this rifle as a war trophy.  I also looked up the serial number information and it was manufactured at Factory 26 in 1967. All the serial numbers match (stock, dust cover, bolt carrier, bolt, magazine, trigger guard, etc.) the paperwork is dated Dec 68. He claimed that he has never fired the rifle, just took it home and kept it hidden away. I kind of believe him, as I am just taking the rifle down and all the internals are still packed with cosmoline. This rifle is pristine, no wear marks, no stock dings, not even any carbon marks on the piston (which was completely packed in cosmoline.) Any thoughts?

[Loose}{Cannon]

So your serial starts with a 12?

And pics you can post?

[EdPoe]

Actually starts with 11.  Maybe I'm read things wrong but I thought it was 1956 + 11.  I'll post some pics.  I just bought it yesterday and am cleaning the 50 year old cosmoline out.  Much of it has dried up.  This is going to take awhile.

[Loose}{Cannon]

As a collector, I wouldn't shoot it or even remove the cosmo.  11 is the 11th year of production, counting the first year in 1956 yours is a 1966.

[Phosphorus32]

11 = 11th year of production = 1966.  The link below is helpful:

http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=360.0

Sounds great!  Looking forward to the pictures    Don't feel compelled to clean it. If I had more than one SKS and I picked up a papered bringback still in the Cosmoline...that's how it would stay.

...and welcome aboard 

[EdPoe]

oh! maybe I should stop!  I didn't plan on shooting it.  I have some pics.  Post as soon as I figure out how.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Here you go..

http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=87.0

[EdPoe]

[EdPoe]

[EdPoe]

[EdPoe]

[Phosphorus32]

Wow!  Nice!    Even the guy on TV is looking    Careful with the Tapatio, vinegar is not good for bluing 

Can we see the papers too?  It's always educational to see examples of real paperwork. 

[EdPoe]

Sure,

He redacted his name and original address for some reason, but I'll send photos.

[EdPoe]

These are photocopies he had.  The originals are in pretty bad shape.  He had several sets of photocopies for some reason.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Wait...  You dont have the originals?

[EdPoe]

Yes, I have the originals. they are in pieces.  But they are somewhat legible.

[EdPoe]

And if for some reason it all turns out to be fake, I'm not to concerned.  I only paid $250. I was just curious if it could be real.  I don't know much about these. I collect WWII firearms and this is my first vietnam era firearm.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Easy to fake 'copies'... Thats why I was wondering about the originals.

[Power Surge]

Even if the paperwork is fake...the gun itself is a $350-400 gun in today's market.

Have you looked the gun over really well to make sure there are no import marks?

[EdPoe]

yes, no import marks anywhere.  I've  got it completely torn down and not an import mark in sight. You can make out the serial number on the originals and most of all the info, signatures are a bit faded and in back ink, not blue.  I did remember that much from my time in the Navy.