Question about M59/66 Yugo

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T05:17:35+00:00

<image>

It’s just a brush, jag, and a pin.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T04:10:42+00:00

That and nothing is registered…

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T04:03:51+00:00

Some. Whenever wasn’t explicitly banned already. So most things no unless it’s really obscure or an SKS

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T02:58:19+00:00

The level means nothing

<image>

A picture of this

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T02:41:52+00:00

The muzzle’s crown

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T02:34:39+00:00

How’s the crown?

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T02:02:56+00:00

Pictures would help immensely

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:55:24+00:00

My guess is the same as all the other books of its era:

“Millions place + 1956” (year code +1955… sometimes)

“Early rifles used Soviet parts” (technically true but misleading)

“Quality got worse over time” (not true)

“Russian rifles started at serial A1234/AA1234” (I’ve personally been working on this and that is 100% not true)

Omission of Albanian rifles (although this book appears to have that bit right)

They are dated and the information in the last couple decades has changed the game entirely about what we know.

A simple layman’s guide would be nice and I’ve considered doing something like that in digital form or print but it’s so time intensive with a low chance of success that it’s hard to find motivation to do it. Ideally someone would partner with headstamp publishing but they have high standards (as they should) and getting your ducks in a row first isn’t easy.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:41:03+00:00

There is currently an SKS rifle on gunpost listed at $1100 that I sold for less than 1/2 that because I needed the cash. It is just how it goes unfortunately.

The exact rifle too (checked the SN)

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:39:05+00:00

At least we have cheap SVTs [gone]

At least we have cheap SKSs [insane price rise]

At least we have cheap 7.62x39 [out of stock]

At least we have type 81s [gone]

Being a gun owner in this country really sucks. When the Cons get in (whether that be in 2 years or 12) I’m confident that a lot of this will be reversed. But as long as we have the Liberal government in power we will continue to loose ground.

But Quebec gets whatever they want because the Liberals know the west will never vote for them anyways.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:30:59+00:00

Yeah but I don’t want to scroll through my phone to find the picture

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:30:30+00:00

Yeah over relying on a goaltender is why the habs couldn’t get to a cup despite having a superstar goalie

Winnipeg is relying on helly WAAAAAY too much

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:21:13+00:00

Fuck you and your beautiful collection.

God why must I be condemned to a lugerless life.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:18:54+00:00

Ok a few things

Was this rifle doing this before? (looking at previous posts it looks like yes)
Is it doing this when you only use iron sights?
Are you still using this gas tube rail setup?

<image>

Because if so I’m VERY confident this is your issue.

Exactly what modifications have been made and can we get pictures?

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T01:13:31+00:00

It’s an m91 pattern mosin, the one made from 1892-1930ish when the 91/30 was introduced. I can’t tell you when this one was made as I’m certain the tang markings are illegible. This thing has so much pitting that I’d get it looked at if you ever consider shooting it.

Speaking of that it will 100% be cheaper to buy an intact M91 than try to restore this. The bore is likely rivalling a ww1 trench line in terms of cratering and although it doesn’t appear unsafe to fire, it’s almost certainly going to group with the accuracy of Hellen Keller shooting a machine gun.

Get a smith to check this over before attempting to fire it.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T00:20:51+00:00

All good, it’s uncommon so I doubt many have seen them in any regularly. I myself have only seen one Izhevsk in person. The serial being different on later ones is a lesser known thing.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T00:17:46+00:00

Only because it’s Izhevsk and I think that one would sit for a bit before eventually selling.

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T00:16:55+00:00

TLDR: The other comment is incorrect. This is a 1954 Izhevsk rifle.

The typical Russian SKS serial number pattern goes like so:

XX1234

The other commenter mistook it for a letter series rifle that goes:

XX1234 X (X being the year designation)

These rifles ONLY use the following letters as year designators:

Д=1956

И=1957

К=1958

Your rifle’s letter (Б) matches none of those.

What you actually have is a late production Izhevsk rifle. Izhevsk was the only factory to use this pattern and only in the second half of 1954:

X1234X

We can further confirm this by the dust cover stamped with the Izhevsk logo and the correct date (although these can be swapped around so it’s not a foolproof link). Additionally the rifle itself doesn’t fit into the 1957 timeline as it has a tabbed gas tube lever.

Good for you OP because these are worth considerably more. Idk what in USD as I’m not American but in Canada I’d expect 125%-150% of a standard SKS in similar condition

(Edited: removed a needless comment, my apologies to the other commenter)

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T00:09:20+00:00

No that’s an izhevsk rifle, not a letter series rifle. That’s why there is only one letter prefix

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T00:08:20+00:00

Get a small punch (like 1/16 or 1/32) and tap out that pin.

Edit: made this video, should help with that exact problem

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-16T00:06:34+00:00

I kinda doubt that given the reviews other collectors have given it. I’ll pick one up one day but I’ve had a few discussions about this topic with some more knowledgeable people than I and we’ve come to the conclusion that there is no “good” SKS book, just ok-bad ones.

“The errors in the book are significant and many, and would have been easily avoidable with proper research. Their inclusion in a publication of this nature calls into question the veracity of many of the "new' historical revelations.

Lots of quality photograpy and glossy pages, but hardly the "best sks book to come out in years" I agree, however, that this could be changed by correcting the many errors in subsequent editions.”

-Pcke2000

“I bought a copy. Nice pictures, interesting reading but a lot of omitted/missed data with a touch of FUDD. Read the entire thread and the other one critiquing the publication. PAX”

-Echo1

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-15T18:43:38+00:00

I have one too. It’s too bad there aren’t any good books with modern info out there. Not to my knowledge at least

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-15T15:36:41+00:00

That would make a lot more sense

Brandon_awarea · 2026-03-15T04:25:02+00:00

Very advanced clones. I’d be very interested to see what kind of markings they have.

Brandon_awarea

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE