...the story is quite interesting, too.
1951 Tula refurbished SKS with the telltale patina, extreme wear and handling that you would expect from a Vietnam Bringback. The laminated stock sports a divot, consistent with shrapnel or bullet damage. Very few of the SKS's from SE Asia are from Russian descent, and I feel quite privileged to place it among NVA, NK, DDR and PLA bringbacks.
Numbers are matching. Bolt looks like it cycled just a time or two (thousand). The numbers on the stock are quite faint.
The gun was bought on Gunbroker for around the typical refurb price, $550. I was very surprised that I didn't get more help on the final bid.
1951 Russian Vietnam bring back SKS Viet Nam : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com
So, the affects that accompanied the gun, which were the artifacts of the respected Veteran's career and Vietnam War service, were essentially no extra cost. Very nice to have with the gun, itself. The hand carved officer's swagger stick with the dragon figure adds a nice touch.
As a note, the Silver Star Award is a photo copy. On the date that is cited for Gallantry In Action (June 16, 1968), it is noted that the 25th infantry captured twenty-one individual and four crew-served weapons. It would be unknown if the Russian SKS was one of these captured weapons.
The second link shows a picture (2nd pic) of LTC W.G. Skelton in the field.
On this date in Vietnam: June 16
July 1, 1968
A few more photos of the gun, folks. And thanks for looking.
1951 Tula refurbished SKS with the telltale patina, extreme wear and handling that you would expect from a Vietnam Bringback. The laminated stock sports a divot, consistent with shrapnel or bullet damage. Very few of the SKS's from SE Asia are from Russian descent, and I feel quite privileged to place it among NVA, NK, DDR and PLA bringbacks.
Numbers are matching. Bolt looks like it cycled just a time or two (thousand). The numbers on the stock are quite faint.
The gun was bought on Gunbroker for around the typical refurb price, $550. I was very surprised that I didn't get more help on the final bid.
1951 Russian Vietnam bring back SKS Viet Nam : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com
So, the affects that accompanied the gun, which were the artifacts of the respected Veteran's career and Vietnam War service, were essentially no extra cost. Very nice to have with the gun, itself. The hand carved officer's swagger stick with the dragon figure adds a nice touch.
As a note, the Silver Star Award is a photo copy. On the date that is cited for Gallantry In Action (June 16, 1968), it is noted that the 25th infantry captured twenty-one individual and four crew-served weapons. It would be unknown if the Russian SKS was one of these captured weapons.
The second link shows a picture (2nd pic) of LTC W.G. Skelton in the field.
On this date in Vietnam: June 16
July 1, 1968
A few more photos of the gun, folks. And thanks for looking.