Help with Romanian Stock Question

[SkySpy]

I'm not a fan of joining an online community and immediately asking a "What should I do"" question. So, of course, I end up doing just that.

I have had a 1959 Romanian kept in indoor storage since 1999. It is all-matching (GH-5194) throughout, and though the stock is solid with no cracks (and, I thought, with no serial number) I had often thought of replacing it with a refinished Russian stock I found on eBay. But after reading through the various posts on the Romanian board on this site, I read that the stocks are often stamped with the serial number as well. So I took a closer look on the left side and, under what I had thought was just Romanian stock rash, I saw what looks like the remnants of a four- or five-digit number. No alpha characters, and nothing close to "5194" (the serial number on the rest of the parts) or "1959" (the date of manufacture). Looks more like maybe "168--" or something similar.

Does this look like a different serial number? Do serial numbers stamped on the stock usually omit the alpha characters?

The reason I'm asking is, if this is already a refurb, I won't hesitate to install the clean Russian stock and toss this one. But if if this stock-stamp under the rash is just a random lot number, etc., then I'd be inclined to hold on to the original stock, or maybe just leave the entire gun as-is for posterity. I know an all-matching Romanian is not all that rare, but I prefer to do less harm than I find.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Boris Badinov]

The stock may be Romanian, but the two photos, make it hard to tell. Better HD, close-up photos may help determine if its truly a Romanian, beechwood stock.

Mismatched parts and stocks are fairly common on the Romanian Sks's. If the stock is Romanian, it's a good idea to keep it.

The beechwood stocks will usually have light colored "fish-scaling" or "flecking" that stands out agains the darker, overall grain.

The sling is Romanian-- not easy to find at all-- and suggests that the entire packsge may be Romanian.

The sling alone adds $60-$100 to the oveall vallue if its a complete Romanian.

[Boris Badinov]

Stock # looks like 1689.

Also: Check for a small triangle stamp on the stock usually on the stock wrist, just aft of the receiver.

[SkySpy]

Thanks very much, Boris. I tried to make a higher-res photo of the stock's grain (up near the hand guard) that would fit in the 350KB limit. I did find a small triangle on the wrist just behind the receiver, no arrow inside it, though. But there were two small circles in the same area as the triangle. One looked like it had a star in it. Attaching photo of them as well. Also, further down the wrist was a very well-defined "W" (looking toward the receiver) or "M" (looking toward the butt) that I forgot to get a pic of.

This is all new to me. I had never even noticed the stamps on the wrist. Saw what looked like a triangle on the other side of the stock but I believe that was just stray marks.

I really appreciate the help!

[Boris Badinov]

Yeah.

That's a Romanian Beechwood stock.

If you drop the barrelled action into a Soviet stock, hold on to the Romy stock. If you ever decide to sell the rifle it will be more valuable in the beechwood stock.

[SkySpy]

Roger that. Thanks very much, Boris!

[SweaT-Rex]

The comments on the sling are spot on... the "dog collar" is a Romanian classic.  Also, look for proof marks in the finger grooves of the stock, which is another Romanian curiosity.