1960 DDR Karabiner-S

[Phosphorus32]

After 7.5 years of collecting the SKS, I've finally filled the 8th and final country slot in my collection. In my case, the 8th slot is the DDR (Deutsche Demokratische Republik) Karabiner-S (Karabiner-Simonow: Carbine-Simonov). This one, made a year before I was born, was worth the wait. 

For those of you who have held and admired the finish on East German Makarovs, with their high polish and deep bluish black finish, you would recognize the same finish on the East German Karabiner-S. This one must have barely made it down the Ho Chi Minh Trail before it was captured, because it's in excellent condition. The laminated beech stock and solid beech handguard are distinctive, especially with the German style rear sling slot, lack of a cleaning rod and cleaning kit hole.

I've taken pictures of all of the markings I observed. It has 12/12 matching serial numbers that are found on the: receiver, bolt carrier, bolt, extractor, receiver cover, magazine, trigger group, stock, gas tube, gas piston, rear sight leaf and rear sight slider. I think the MfNV: Ministerium für Nationale Verteidigung (Ministry of National Defense) marking is perhaps the next most interesting marking. 

This one has been observed before, so no new addition to the serial list, but it's new to me! Thanks for looking.

[Phosphorus32]

More detail pictures









That gas piston is clean!






S in the stock interior










Did I mention smooth and polished?










Below the woodline on the right side: K22 inspector marking and number of unknown meaning (heat treatment lot?)

[High Noon]

Wow that is a beauty....congratulations!   

Amazing rifle - looks new.

The searching part is is really fun, thinking today could be the day I find it. Of course finding one is also REALLY FUN too!

[Phosphorus32]

Wow that is a beauty....congratulations!   

Amazing rifle - looks new.

The searching part is is really fun, thinking today could be the day I find it. Of course finding one is also REALLY FUN too!

Thanks, indeed the search is part of the fun!   

It has a few small dings in the stock and a few tarnished spots on the bolt and carrier, but considering its journey, it really is in excellent condition. 

[Bob_The_Student]

Congratulations, Jon! That is gorgeous, gorgeous and did I say gorgeous?! Great photos. Thanks for sharing.

[Phosphorus32]

Congratulations, Jon! That is gorgeous, gorgeous and did I say gorgeous?! Great photos. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks very much Bob! 

[carls sks]

beauty! looks like it was never used. that would be the pride of anyone's collection. you did good wafting, that's for sure.

[Phosphorus32]

beauty! looks like it was never used. that would be the pride of anyone's collection. you did good wafting, that's for sure.

Thanks Carl! I am pleased with it 

[JorgeSKS]

Very, very nice, thanks for sharing! A win for you is a win for all of us that admire the SKS. I sometimes wonder how many of these truly collectible SKS’s have ended up in the hands of an uneducated seller and sold to an uneducated buyer only to end up modified “Bubba” style. 

[Phosphorus32]

Very, very nice, thanks for sharing! A win for you is a win for all of us that admire the SKS. I sometimes wonder how many of these truly collectible SKS’s have ended up in the hands of an uneducated seller and sold to an uneducated buyer only to end up modified “Bubba” style.

Thanks!

The thought of a back-alley gunsmith touching one of these historical rarities makes me queasy!

[Matchka]

Zowie!
File under: Clean as �,�[_]<|{!!!!
BRAVO ZULU, sir!

[Phosphorus32]

Zowie!
File under: Clean as �,�[_]<|{!!!!
BRAVO ZULU, sir!

Thanks much Matchka!

[running-man]

Congrats on the last truly hard one! 

Was this an auction or did you fall into a private sale?  Either way that’s a nice sharp unit. Looks unchanged vs the old photos I have from when it was first recorded in the EG list.   

[Phosphorus32]

Congrats on the last truly hard one! 

Thanks Joe! 

Was this an auction or did you fall into a private sale?  Either way that’s a nice sharp unit. Looks unchanged vs the old photos I have from when it was first recorded in the EG list.   

This was from an auction about a month ago. Those old photos in the SN data were invaluable. Thanks!  The auction photos were surprisingly okay, but with the archived photos I knew for sure that it was a great matching specimen and one to seriously pursue.

[Larry D.]

What a beautiful piece of history!
Simply awesome.

Remember when I defined the word broner? This is one of those times......

[Phosphorus32]

What a beautiful piece of history!
Simply awesome.

Remember when I defined the word broner? This is one of those times......

Thanks Larry!

[Cz315]

Congrats, Phosphorus32!  I'm very happy you got it!

First the '49 Tula and now the Karabiner-S, it's been a good year for you

[Phosphorus32]

Congrats, Phosphorus32!  I'm very happy you got it!

First the '49 Tula and now the Karabiner-S, it's been a good year for you

Thanks a lot!

Indeed, it has been a good year for the SKS rarities!

[BMont]

I missed this post... wow... as many have said already.  What a great rifle.  Well worth the wait.  Congrats and thanks for posting this heirloom.

[Phosphorus32]

I missed this post... wow... as many have said already.  What a great rifle.  Well worth the wait.  Congrats and thanks for posting this heirloom.

Thanks BMont!