Early Albanian SKS Number 005

[Phosphorus32]

I picked this up off of GunBroker about 16 months ago from a Gunboards member. I just got around to photographing it yesterday. Presumably it's a 1966, most likely in my opinion, or an early 1967 before they decided to add the year. It was apparently the 5th unit off of the line. It'd be nice to have 001 but as far as I know this is the earliest Albanian in the US. It's certainly seen some use, as you can see in the stock that is full of character and worn bluing, but it is otherwise in very good condition. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

[astronut]

Interesting and nice!   

[Larry D.]

Whoa.
That's really cool.

[Justin Hell]

 

very very cool...I just hope to see one in person someday....

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks guys! I agree it's a rather cool one to have in the collection 

[Bacarnal]

Sweet.

[carls sks]

amazing to get 005, you lucky dog. 

[running-man]

Definite cool factor with the S/N.  Not many (###) three digit Albys out there at all as it's the first I've ever seen.  According to my records & the database, they went to 4 digits (####) by no date 0187 and the lowest dated 1968 gun I have is 01068-1968.  I'd always surmised that the no-dates were all 1967, but '66 is not implausible.  There can't be too many of them out there (it's likely they added the 4th digit at 0100 I'd think)  Very nice! 

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks Carl and Bruce!

[Phosphorus32]

Definite cool factor with the S/N.  Not many (###) three digit Albys out there at all as it's the first I've ever seen.  According to my records & the database, they went to 4 digits (####) by no date 0187 and the lowest dated 1968 gun I have is 01068-1968.  I'd always surmised that the no-dates were all 1967, but '66 is not implausible.  There can't be too many of them out there (it's likely they added the 4th digit at 0100 I'd think)  Very nice! 

Thanks Joe! Yeah, I was looking at the annual production range during the early years in the Serial Data and 1966 seemed likely given those figures...but of course there isn't a year, so who knows for sure 

[Larry D.]

007 would have been pretty cool......

[Ghost51xxx]

Wow, what a score!! Number 5?  Congratulations!!! The coloring is beautiful! Can't get much better than that. Hope you enjoy.

[Bob_The_Student]

P32, did you get this from someone in Ohio? Curious if I seen this or not for sale.

[Phosphorus32]

007 would have been pretty cool......

Indeed. Bond, Enver Hoxha Bond 

Still, 001 would have been even cooler

[Phosphorus32]

Wow, what a score!! Number 5?  Congratulations!!! The coloring is beautiful! Can't get much better than that. Hope you enjoy.

Thanks very much!

[Phosphorus32]

P32, did you get this from someone in Ohio? Curious if I seen this or not for sale.

Yes. He's a Gunboards member with an impressive collection 

[Larry D.]

007 would have been pretty cool......

Indeed. Bond, Enver Hoxha Bond 

Still, 001 would have been even cooler

001 would be THE rifle to get.

[Direct Connection]

007 would have been pretty cool......

Indeed. Bond, Enver Hoxha Bond 

Still, 001 would have been even cooler

Didnt the 70's show Grizzly Adams have an old guy on there that had a mule he called ol number 007 ? I think it was Grizzly Adams.

Non the less, This "Founding Albanian Father" find is probably one of a kind in America. I mean come on man !! You just don't see these low number markings and no stamped year on Albanians. Whats next ? Maybe you can find the original box it came in ? Was the original oiler and cleaning kit in the trap door ? Unbelievable. Your lucky that Swinging Grease Monkey is sleeping these days. he'd be trying to trade you a bottle of essential shine for it  Oooooh Boy !

[Bacarnal]

Pithy and sardonic comments were just on the bursting point from these fingers, but the jealousy would have shown immediately through, hench just the "Sweet" comment.  I'm still drooling every time I see it .   Once GM catches up on his reading (God Bless him and keep him safe), he's gonna have an aneurism .

[Greatguns]

NOICE!!!!!!!