What are you all's thought on this being a non refurb Izhevsk SKS? Also, was the price reasonable if it is or if it is not? And no, it was not me that said I would take it in the post.
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?732682-WTS-WTT-1954-Izhevsk-SKS-Non-Refurb
It has many signs of original condition -- as issued.
However in 64 years there's no telling where it's been and who might've done what.
Having said that, I would say there is a strong argument to make for the "appears to be a non-refurb" claim. 8 bills seems a tad high ($50-75)-- but, as we hear often, "it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it."
For a US collector...not a bad acquisition.
Shellac on the left crossbolt head in addition to the dark valleys of all the stamps on the stock would indicate to me that the stock has at least had an extra coat of shellac added since it was made. Seeing this, the partial Izhevsk stamp on the stock seems more likely due to a finish strip & sanding than a result of a light stamping. Who's to say though? dntknw1
Even with all the unknowns surrounding this one, I'd still likely classify it "as-issued" in the GB tracking threads. It has what appears to be all the original hardware, but I honestly don't see how someone could call it "non-refurbished".