ARAB/MIDDLE-EAST CONTRACT
12 million serial
This is an example of an "Arab Contract" /26\ SKS in the known 12 million serial range. All metal matches, but the stock does not. Most likely, but not for certain, it made its way to the Maadi Factory in Egypt at some point in its life and refurbished. Unlike most, It has a hardwood stock and a bolt carrier in the white, with a couple other features that connect it to the middle east.
To start, the stock has an Arabic marked "83" on its right side. To note, this uncommon feature has been found on both laminate/blued bolt carrier rifles and this version. Also, it looks as if the stock had been sanded down at one point, and a dark red shellac was sloppily applied. You can even see it was coated over the support cross bolt. This has also been reported on a few other Arab Contract rifles as well
The bolt carrier does not exhibit the common bluing found on most of these that came out of the Middle East. It almost looks as if it was polished at some point. When I first disassembled the rifle to inspect for rust and other markings, it was very difficult to remove the stock. It was almost stuck to the receiver and I actually needed assistance to remove it. Once removed, there was some caked up sand that broke lose and fell all over. This has been reported on other Arab Contract rifles as well. This rifle, being it came from another collector, seems as if it was left in its original status since being imported.
Overall, this is a nice example, and it should, and will be kept in its current condition. Enjoy the pics. (Contributed by) Mitch Speth
To start, the stock has an Arabic marked "83" on its right side. To note, this uncommon feature has been found on both laminate/blued bolt carrier rifles and this version. Also, it looks as if the stock had been sanded down at one point, and a dark red shellac was sloppily applied. You can even see it was coated over the support cross bolt. This has also been reported on a few other Arab Contract rifles as well
The bolt carrier does not exhibit the common bluing found on most of these that came out of the Middle East. It almost looks as if it was polished at some point. When I first disassembled the rifle to inspect for rust and other markings, it was very difficult to remove the stock. It was almost stuck to the receiver and I actually needed assistance to remove it. Once removed, there was some caked up sand that broke lose and fell all over. This has been reported on other Arab Contract rifles as well. This rifle, being it came from another collector, seems as if it was left in its original status since being imported.
Overall, this is a nice example, and it should, and will be kept in its current condition. Enjoy the pics. (Contributed by) Mitch Speth
Another fine example contributed by Bob Hanes
