New SKS

[cogit8r]

The first thing I did with my Chinese SKS was tear it apart, scrub the "cosmoline" off the metal bits, lubed and protected the parts, and then put them away while I played with the stock. From all appearances, this rifle has never been fired. The bolt face is pristine, the gas piston looks brand new...no powder residue.

The stock was coated with varnish and Citrusstrip cleaned it up nicely. I don't see any signs of oil soaked in.

The rifle had one of those tan plastic, sex toy-looking upper hand guards. Before it even arrived I grabbed a wooden one from eBay. Last night I began fitting and shaping the stock and handguard so they mated up smoothly. I'll probably go ahead and fit the stock, the ferrules and the butt plate tighter and closer to one another as I go along.

I've refinished several M1s and Carbines over the years and have come to love the smell of Walnut. I gotta say, Catalpa smells great as well.

Once everything is fitted to my liking, I'll fine sand the stock. I haven't decided if I'm going to stain it darker, but that's a possibility. Since I don't care for shiny gunstocks, I'll probably do a final finish with BLO. I'll post pictures as it comes together.
Dave

[Greasemonkey]

had one of those tan plastic, sex toy-looking upper hand guards

Was it an aftermarket handguard or whats known as the "french tickler" handguard..  If it was the later... it would have been a little more valuable in it's original condition, as those are not that common.  It's kind of the odd situation where having the sex toy is a good thing..

[Loose}{Cannon]

Yup, sounds like you had a good one.  Most likely an 0296 m21 or a 1978/79 /26\.  I would have def left it alone.   

[carls sks]

hint: we love pics Dave.   

[cogit8r]

More pictures as this progresses.
I made the decision to alter the rifle to suit my taste. No offense to those who commented. I respect your opinions, but chose to fiddle with it. I really don't own anything I haven't screwed-with in some form or another.
Dave

[Phosphorus32]

Yup, 1979 Factory 26. French tickler handguard is standard on these, as is a shiny shellac finish. There are quite a few of us that are collectors, as well as shooters, which accounts for the don't mess with originality attitude.

[cogit8r]

Thanks for the info. I am not a collector. I'm more of a resto-mod guy.
I do apologize if I have appalled anyone, it was not my intent.

[newchi]

Its usually best once you have the wood sanded to give the stock to a local kindergarden for arts and crafts, some finger painting, crayon, elmers glue and glitter work wonders, maybe a few my little pony or spongebob stickers.

THEN post it on the forums, if you want to appall people! 

[cogit8r]

Ima bedazzle the sucker.

[carls sks]

that stock is looking good, nice find on eBay. thanks for sharing Dave. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Rhinestones and glitter.....   NOBODY has done that yet. 

But seriously, whatever floats your boat... Its yours to do with.

[martin08]

What was a potentially $700-plus desirable collectible is now reduced to a $300 shooter.

Lots of us have learned this lesson the hard way, including myself.   

[Justin Hell]

I was a little worried, and was going to predict that it was a 24m /26\ when I first saw the description...once I read Citristrip I feared the worst.
Was the original serial number also sanded off of the stock?

These stocks are pretty hard to come by. They are inletted for the inverted take down lever, which is another unique aspect of this series of SKSs.

I just finished restoring a 23m /26\ last week.  It isn't as perfect as this was...but close.  I have learned that if I just hate a stock on a matching SKS, that I will hunt down one more appealing for it (hopefully without a serial) and keep the original stuff intact. I will even get another gas tube to leave the original pin unfettered.  The 23m has a very nice non matching furniture set that I highly prefer over the correct set.  If I can't stand the French Tickler anymore...I can switch them out in minutes.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Poor 1978 some idiot lathered with bitumen.

[Justin Hell]

Shaft's SKS

[Phosphorus32]

Poor 1978 some idiot lathered with bitumen.

Pitch it!

[Greasemonkey]

Wonder who's asphalt for that one.. 

[echo1]

The first thing I did with my Chinese SKS was tear it apart RUIN IT, scrub the "cosmoline" off the metal bits, lubed and protected the parts, and then put them away while I played with the stock. From all appearances, this rifle has never been fired. The bolt face is pristine, the gas piston looks brand new...no powder residue.

The stock was coated with varnish and Citrusstrip cleaned it up nicely.

The rifle HAD one of those tan plastic upper hand guards
Dave

What was a potentially $700-plus desirable collectible is now reduced to a $300 shooter.
Lots of us have learned this lesson the hard way, including myself.   

Dave, your gun and all that, but you really screwed the pooch on that one. In your angst to make it "better" you destroyed an unfired desirable piece. Poor thing.

A replacement stock could have better suited your needs without devaluating something uncommon. You may have been able to sell yours for enough to pickup 2 decent matching Chinese to Bubbafize, or traded to one of us here. I'm sure it'll look nice, but it's too late now. I shudder to think about how devalued the expensive rigs like the Garand & carbine became. Like the Hippocratic oath says, "First Do No Harm". PAX

[cogit8r]

Anyone else?

[cogit8r]

Before I leave, I'll just add I glass bedded the Garand, added NM sights, and regularly shoot NRA matches with it.
The SKS would never have remained unfired. It's a tool, not a precious pet to be fondled and stored in a safe.
Dave