Which do I keep?

[MikeT]

Just looking for some feedback on which to keep. Needing to make some room.
Both are in very good to excellent condition. All matching.

[jmaurer]

MikeT:
Both.

No.

Yes.

No, but seriously, I think I'd always keep an original, non-rebuilt/refurbished rifle over another, unless there were some unusual feature that couldn't be found elsewhere. It's a hard choice to make. I nearly sold off all my SKS rifles years ago to concentrate on something else; right after I'd convinced myself that was the right thing I found an East German SKS in a pawn shop and decided to continue on. Since then I don't think I've looked back (I only have one or two, so it's easy to keep track  ).

[jmaurer]

Sorry, forgot to actually submit my vote!

[MikeT]

Well I have these others in my collection currently:
2 x as issued 1954 Izhevsk
1949 refurb
Unissued Yugo
Chinese HG

[Boris Badinov]

Pics?

[MikeT]

Edited

[theSKSguy45]

Why not sell one of the two Izhevsks?

[MikeT]

Why not sell one of the two Izhevsks?

I really find the izhevsk overall nicer. Maybe it’s the bluing. Plus I think they command higher collector value.

[echo1]

Why not sell one of the two Izhevsks?

I really find the izhevsk overall nicer. Maybe it’s the bluing. Plus I think they command higher collector value.

Yes, up on the more scarce scale, PAX

[running-man]

I'd keep the looks-to-be-original '54 Tula over the clearly refurbed with replacement stock 1957 letter И gun between the two in your photos. 

[MikeT]

I'd keep the looks-to-be-original '54 Tula over the clearly refurbed with replacement stock 1957 letter И gun between the two in your photos. 

I’m pretty sure it’s a 1958 K. That said it has two different refurb stamps on the top cover. I presume from a collector standpoint this doesn’t change much. I should stick with the 54 Tula above.

RM and everyone reading this, what Russians and Chinese should be prioritized for collecting? The obvious 1949 and 53 Izzy seems to make sense. Are there others I should be watching for? I’m at stores and gun shows often.

[running-man]

My eyes are not what they used to be.    И vs K getting harder to resolve these days!

For Russian:

• A pristine as-issued 1955 should be on the short list.
• A pristine letter gun (Д, И, or K) with an original ruby red laminate stock.
• 1954 Izhevsks are nothing to run your nose up at either even if the '53's are less numerous & more 'desirable' (I don't consider them so, but to each collector their own.  They are unquestionably more rare in the US.)
• Finally, a 1950's transitional gun is something worth looking out for.  They are very unique and fun to see exactly where they lie in the general transition from the '49 to '51 built models.

For Chinese:

• Soviet Sino carbines with a Tula star and 4 digit numerical only S/N less than ~2000.
• 10 or 11 million /26\ carbines with original Chinese (not Russian) laminate stocks.
• Factory [0138] (or [0145]!) stamped sheet metal receiver SKS with original stocks.
• Cast receiver SKSs, mainly belonging to rectangle arsenals such as [0129], [0221], etc.

And that's just the military std. SKS.  Get into commercial versions and there are honestly so many Chinese out there with different variations and whatnot that it's impossible to come close to listing everything you could be on the lookout for.

[MikeT]

I appreciate that RM and everyone who commented. I’ll aim to sell off my refurb K and keep an eye out for items you listed.

Thank you - Mike