REDSTAR
03-02-2002, 04:15 PM
My Albanian SKS had several scratches in the varnish/laquer finish. I had tried to sand out some of the more prominent ones and apply a stain to match up but the rifle has such a tight grain stock the stain didn't take well. Therefore I sanded off the old finish and replaced with an excellent match, Minwax Polycoats Pecan satin. I put on two coats sanding with 000 between and 0000 final. Sanding and dry time took the most time but I started this yesterday and finished this morning. I left most of the bruises and small dings as I wanted this rifle to be original as possible. The finish is very close to the real deal so I'm quite happy, and my stock is smoother to the touch than it was with the scratches. The pics indicate some gloss but this is from a furniture polish I applied, that will die down after some time. The metal is a strong 98% on this rifle, all parts match, I noticed even the sight leaf is penciled with the number. The quality is par with a Chicom rifle IMO. I know others have had worse luck but the fit and finish on this one is quite nice. It's a 1977 model. I put on the Chicom sling as a guess, since the Albanians received aid from China. I am quite happy as an SKS afficiando that AIM picked these up. With a little elbow grease they clean up quite well.
Hope you enjoy-
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232054PM0.8616602.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232255PM0.7063061.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232055PM0.2890545.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232055PM0.4991506.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232253PM0.3859674.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232257PM0.1350301.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232458PM0.1030084.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232500PM8.138019E-02.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200233127PM0.1304438.jpg
Sorry I cut off the stock on some of these, I'm still learning this camera.
Hope you enjoy-
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232054PM0.8616602.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232255PM0.7063061.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232055PM0.2890545.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232055PM0.4991506.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232253PM0.3859674.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232257PM0.1350301.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232458PM0.1030084.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200232500PM8.138019E-02.jpg
http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000012251/1000012251_32200233127PM0.1304438.jpg
Sorry I cut off the stock on some of these, I'm still learning this camera.