Black bolt Russian

[Weldrdave]

Hello all,  I have a question for the Gurus here with the Black Bolt on the Russians.

Last Night I noticed a Very Nice Russian on Gun Broker, "nobody" had bid on and it was beautiful!  I know it is a refurb but is absolutely gorgeous.  So, 5 minutes left in the auction I bid $605.00, starting bid was $599.00 and I won it!  So my question is; Is the bolt parkerized, painted or powder coated?  The condition of the entire gun looks the same as the Bolt.  It does have the Laminate wood stock which is very pretty.  Why don't/didn't they leave the Bolts natural?

Now I realize questions are limited to one a day but I have one more...  .   The Serial # has the backwards "N" after the numbers and it has no date stamped on the Bolt Cover, but does have a "star" stamped on the receiver a couple inches back from the serial numbers.   Would this rifle be a 1956/57?   

Thanks all for any reply.  Pics will follow when I receive it.  I haven't purchased an SKS since last year some time so I figured I'd get another before we can't get any at all!
Dave

[Greatguns]

Does sound like you latched onto a 56-58 late model refurb. Do you have a link to the auction? Pics would help confirm.

[Boris Badinov]

Please link the auction. The  photos from the auction, will help to answer your questions

Also, nice fishing trip.

I've won a couple of gems on the first bid.and it Always sweeter to catch a keeper on the first cast.

[Weldrdave]

Here ya go!  I think this should load up.   https://www.gunbroker.com/item/892479004

[pcke2000]

Bolt painted with typical Russian BBQ paint.

Interestingly, the listing did not show pic of serial on bolt carrier.

[Greatguns]

Yep, looks like you have a '57 heavy refurb the way I see it. Force matched FCG Nice grab at $649 + possible FFL fees

[Weldrdave]

Yep, looks like you have a '57 heavy refurb the way I see it. Force matched FCG Nice grab at $649 + possible FFL fees

Yes! Because I live here in the Communist Socialist Republic of New Jersey, I got WHACKED in the balls with 7% sales tax on top of it all.     My FFL is a sweet lady and she's been my FFL for years, This one will be another $25.00 for the NICS and transfer. 

[Weldrdave]

Bolt painted with typical Russian BBQ paint.

Interestingly, the listing did not show pic of serial on bolt carrier.

I noticed that as well... , I'm hoping it is.  Well, it's not 100% by any stretch but it'll be a nice shooter I hope. I figured ANY Russian now at this price would be worth scooping up. Not to cry the blues but we are living on a Military retirement budget "only" now because my wife was layed off last year due to the dam Covid crap!  So, this was in my budget that I could afford! 

[Larry D.]

I think you did well, Dave.
Doubly so in these times.

[Weldrdave]

I think you did well, Dave.
Doubly so in these times.

Thank you! Kinda what I thought as well, I've been peeking into GB occasionally and looking at the prices    And every time I do I just say to myself, Dam this is getting Crazy!  .  Last night I figured I'd give it a scan and on the last page or so of the SKS's was this rifle.  It was a head scratcher because there was 0 bids and I figured something was hidden or drastically wrong with it. 
I guess nobody wanted a Refurb.  I spoke with the gun shop owner this morning when I paid for it, and he said it was in excellent shape and the bore was perfect as you can get.  I have gotten lucky in the last year I suppose. 

[Cz315]

Nice pick up.  I've seen quite a few refurbs in way worse shape going for more on GB lately. Should be a very nice shooter regardless of any potential force match.

[Phosphorus32]

Yeah, good grab these days. I have avoided the black painted SKS-45s, but your refurbished 1957 with it's laminated stock and handguard is a nice looking SKS 

[Weldrdave]

Yeah, good grab these days. I have avoided the black painted SKS-45s, but your refurbished 1957 with it's laminated stock and handguard is a nice looking SKS 

If I may be as so bold to ask; I realize they "are" Refurbs and not much of a true original value, but why do folks have the fear of them?    I have the other one I showed here last year and it shoots like a dream!  At 100 yards, I was punching out 4" groups with my 60 year old eyes!    Who knows, maybe the way things are going even these might become "collectable" some day... 

[Greatguns]

Yeah, good grab these days. I have avoided the black painted SKS-45s, but your refurbished 1957 with it's laminated stock and handguard is a nice looking SKS 

If I may be as so bold to ask; I realize they "are" Refurbs and not much of a true original value, but why do folks have the fear of them?    I have the other one I showed here last year and it shoots like a dream!  At 100 yards, I was punching out 4" groups with my 60 year old eyes!    Who knows, maybe the way things are going even these might become "collectable" some day... 

Mostly people didn't like the "BBQ paint finish". it has been held that "as-issued" or "light refurb" were the "collectible" guns. That is changing somewhat as time goes by. Now I'd say it is a little more of a "what year it was made" and "is it an Ishevsk" as much as anything, then the aesthetics come into play secondary. Partly maybe due to long time collectors trying to fill the last holes in their collection. Other Countries of origin are going the same way. Heck now even once considered "no value" commercial Chinese are becoming collectible.

[Phosphorus32]

Yeah, good grab these days. I have avoided the black painted SKS-45s, but your refurbished 1957 with it's laminated stock and handguard is a nice looking SKS 

If I may be as so bold to ask; I realize they "are" Refurbs and not much of a true original value, but why do folks have the fear of them?    I have the other one I showed here last year and it shoots like a dream!  At 100 yards, I was punching out 4" groups with my 60 year old eyes!    Who knows, maybe the way things are going even these might become "collectable" some day... 

I don't "fear" them, and my avoidance of them is not due to concerns about functionality. They were refurbished by a Russian arsenal with the sole purpose of returning them to maximum functionality, so they should be great shooters  It's just my personal preference as a collector that I avoid the painted ones. I have plenty of other types of refurbished SKSs.

[Greasemonkey]

My opinion.. refurbs get shunned because they are and can be mixed and matched from various parts and pieces. Like Garands, M1 Carbines, Mausers, Mosins and everything else.. some want as it come from the factory vs being rebuilt.  Some don't make sense... Most all Finnish Mosins are technically refurb, but they still command that premium..   personally, I'm not picky.. refurbed, as issued or papered, if the mood strikes, I'm on it, dag on it. 

Regardless... They are all collectibles, cause they aren't made any longer, much less imported. 

[Cz315]

And BBQ refurbs ARE collectible, just less fashionable I guess. Which might change over time Unless, of course, they are '49 or early '50.

BBQ refurbs are unique in a way that to my limited knowledge no other Russian/Soviet arms have bolts in the "black". A lot of black bolt SKS's are associated with civilian use in former USSR.

[pcke2000]

I think you did well, Dave.
Doubly so in these times.

Thank you! Kinda what I thought as well, I've been peeking into GB occasionally and looking at the prices    And every time I do I just say to myself, Dam this is getting Crazy!  .  Last night I figured I'd give it a scan and on the last page or so of the SKS's was this rifle.  It was a head scratcher because there was 0 bids and I figured something was hidden or drastically wrong with it. 
I guess nobody wanted a Refurb.  I spoke with the gun shop owner this morning when I paid for it, and he said it was in excellent shape and the bore was perfect as you can get.  I have gotten lucky in the last year I suppose.

The price is good in today's market, even after adding sales taxes and FFL transfer fees.

[pcke2000]

As long as no changes of the mutual agreement (no more new Russian SKS imported) in future (seems like extremely unlike to change), BBQ painted will become highly collectible soon. Take a look at what has happened to Russian SVT, RC K98K, etc.

[Weldrdave]

Thanks for all that Great Info everyone!  I was always curious some people shunned them from the reading I did.  I think my other Refurb is a 1953 Tula and it's a sweetie to shoot.  That one is all matching numbers, except the stock has the xxxxxx, then the serial numbers.  Well, Thank you all for the lesson!  .   I'll let you all know how it shoots when it comes in.  Thank God I still have about 700 or 800  rounds left from the 1000 case I bought last April for $199.00  .  Thanks again everyone!