Bubba'd Ghost Value

[GuitarmanNick]

Got a 213xxx serial SKS that is missing the magazine, original stock, bayonet, cleaning rod and has an after market gas tube, piston and scope mount receiver cover on it. The current stock is a synthetic made by Combat Exchange and looks like it may be for an SKS but has been cut in the front, perhaps for the missing blade style bayonet. Looks like it is one of the Ghost guns. Too bad Bubba got his hands on it.

Bolt matches the receiver and it was packed with cosmoline. Firing pin has carbon build up that should clean off and the barrel shows just a little copper fouling and is in excellent condition. Most of the rifle looks like new once I cleaned it up.

It belongs to a friend of mine and I am thinking of offering him a trade but want to make sure it is fair for both of us.

The gun may have been made in the same year as me and that is the reason I would like to add it to my collection. In it's current condition, I am not really sure what it's cash value would be.

Any input from the collective would be appreciated.

[Greatguns]

Can't tell ya much without pics bro. Bubba'd as it is it is just a shooter so I wouldn't go over $400 if that.

[owenj492]

It might have started out as just a barreled receiver, then the other parts were added later, in the past I purchased barreled receiver(s) and would build them up using parts with no serial numbers stamped into them.

Example of barreled receivers:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/877247071

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/877247017

[GuitarmanNick]

Did a little more looking with a magnifying glass. Strange that this serial number puts it within the Ghost gun range, yet it DOES have a faint stamp for arsenal /26\. Does not have the Soviet star.
I can only surmise that the information about the serial numbers is slightly off. The serial number on this rifle is 2130** to help narrow the forum information a little.
The rest of the gun is as described on the Ghost guns.
Receiver, bolt assembly and trigger group are matching numbers. The rest of the parts appear to have been used as replacements or attempts at alleged upgrades by a previous owner.
The stock is a Combat Exchange Monte Carlo style synthetic. The receiver sits too low and the cover cannot be removed without pulling the action out of the stock to allow the cover to move to the rear.
Bubba did a crappy job if you ask me!
Got the detailed cleaning finished and reassembled it today. Passed the function check and seems to be safe to shoot. The trigger may be the worst I have seen on an SKS. Long, mushy pull and it breaks almost at the trigger guard. Not bad pull weight at 5 pounds, but just feels very different than it should.
Can't get the pin out for the mag release or I would have done something to help the trigger. If I work a trade with him, I will feel more comfortable grabbing the big hammer. I try not to use that on guns that do not belong to me.

[owenj492]

So previous owner did bubba this, unfortunate, but you should post pictures if you can, we love pictures!

[running-man]

Hey Nick,

There are indeed documented /26\ guns in the 213k range:




And ghost guns in the 213k range:


It looks like the transition is not so clean cut as we initially thought at ~213,700.  That number is old and we need to update it as there is no hard and fast S/N that the changeover happened, but it instead now looks like it was a transition spanning a good 1000 numbers.  When the data changes, the data is sound, and the data doesn't match your hypothesis, you have to change your hypothesis. 

Would love to see a photo of your receiver (with the last one or two digits XX'd and see the /26\ stamp. 

[GuitarmanNick]

If it was mine, I would not care about posting the entire number. Still belongs to my friend.

[owenj492]

I'm seeing a "2 I 3 0 xx" is that second one a letter "I" ?

[Phosphorus32]

I'm seeing a "2 I 3 0 xx" is that second one a letter "I" ?

I agree, it looks to me like a letter gun from the 2I block.

[Greatguns]

Hey Guitarman, FYI, that is not an aftermarket gas tube. Only the upper handguard has been changed. The HG goes with the stock.Also, If you buy that and want to restore it to OEM look, I have a nice Chinese wood Hand Guard, a 6 digit receiver cover(226394 or something like that) and also a box mag. On the mag it is a Canadian mag so it has been blocked to 5 rnds, but that can be remedied if need be. On the other hand, if you hunt and 5 rnds is the limit where you live then you are good to go.

[GuitarmanNick]

I'm seeing a "2 I 3 0 xx" is that second one a letter "I" ?

Couldn't tell for sure on that one but it must be 2I30xx. The stamping on the trigger guard is clearly and "I".

That gives me a new perspective! Thanks for catching that and setting me on the right path.

My eyesight is pretty bad on things like that. At least I can still see at target distance!

[running-man]

Owen & P32 nailed it.  This is an I letter gun with a 2 prefix added.







I would say that's a $400 gun in today's climate, would have been $300 in more normal times.  Not my cup of tea, but it's likely a good shooter.