serial #177324, 12 ga, 32” ventilated rib barrel choked improved cylinder with a bright excellent bore. The barrel retains 97-98% original rust blue with light wear and remnants of old oxidation near the muzzle, some scattered specks of oxidation, and a few light handling marks, the long tang triggerguard retaining about 85% original blue with a light ding on the left edge of the triggerguard bow and light wear and oxidation staining on the tang. The frame retains 99% quality restored cyanide case colors and is factory embellished with SC grade foliate scroll engraving and punch-dot shading, the belly of the frame engraved with more scroll engraving rather than the dove found on later production shotguns. The checkered straight grip walnut stock and beavertail forend are in very good plus condition with a professionally repaired chip on the left stock cheek, a small flake forming at the rear of the upper tang, a small filler repaired ding on the left side of the wrist, and some scattered light cracking and flaking of the professionally added finish. The stock shows some attractive grain figure and features an unengraved oval monogram plate on the toeline and a Del Greco ventilated recoil pad giving a 14 1/4” length of pull with drops of about 1 1/2” and 1 3/4”. The shotgun locks up tight with the lever coming to rest just right of center, the ejectors function correctly, and the shotgun is sighted with dual white beads on the nicely matted rib. A fine restored Parker single barrel trap from the first year of production. (14B10774-6) {C&R} (1500/2000)

serial #2544, 7.62x39mm, 20 1/2” chrome-lined barrel with a bright excellent bore. This very rare North Korean SKS is from well-known SKS and AK collector Howard Bearse’s collection. It is a Vietnam War bring-back which unfortunately no longer has its papers, but is obviously not import marked. The metal surfaces retain about 85-90% original blue with areas of light oxidation, moderate pitting and wear toning to gray-brown patina primarily on the underside of the magazine, rear of the dustcover and around the muzzle. The bayonet retains nearly all its original hard-chrome plate with a small ding in the lower edge which is not visible when folded. The bolt and carrier are mostly bright with some moderate pitting on the charging handle. All metal markings are crisp with all the correct parts serialized to the receiver and the dust cover is deeply-stamped with the North Korean circled star along with “63” and a Korean character. The laminated Asian hardwood stock and handguard rate about excellent with a coat of added varnish and a few expected light handling marks. The stock shows the characteristic shorter finger grooves in the forend and is also serialized to the receiver. This version of the Type 63 is without rifle grenade gas cutoff, the sights and cleaning rod are intact, a cleaning kit and mustard-colored cotton canvas AK sling are included and the action appears to function well mechanically. The exact number of North Korean Type 63 carbines in the United States will never be known but collectors consider them to be second only to East German SKS carbines in rarity and desirability. (23C10837-57) {C&R} [Howard Bearse Collection] (3000/4000

serial #068, 7.62x39mm, 22” barrel with a good bore showing light oxidation and pinprick pitting throughout the otherwise strong rifling. This experimental rifle, also from the Howard Bearse collection, is one of an estimated 100 first-year-production SKS rifles with a longer than usual barrel as well as a unique windage-adjustable front sight. The metal surfaces retain about 50% original blue primarily in the protected areas while the balance is toning to a blend of dark and light gray patina with scattered spots of light oxidation, light handling marks and areas of light wear. The bolt and carrier are a light gray patina with speckles of oxidation staining and the bayonet retains nearly all its original hard-chrome plate with a few spots of staining. The right side of the barrel is import-marked and the following parts are serialized to the receiver: bolt, bolt carrier, triggerguard and stock. The European hardwood stock and handguard rate about very good plus with a few tiny chips around the left edge of the buttplate and some scattered light handling marks. The sights and cleaning rod are intact, a cleaning kit, a Yugoslavian brown leather sling with brass oiler in a brown leather pouch are included and the action is strong and crisp. A nice example of these rare experimental 1961-vintage “Long Barrel” rifles. (23C10837-71) {C&R} [Howard Bearse Collection] (1500/2000)

serial #04916-78, 7.62x39mm, 20 1/2” chrome-lined barrel with a bright excellent bore. Of the five major producers of SKS carbines, the Albanian SKS is the rarest as only 15,000-20,000 were manufactured and most were destroyed in the aftermath of the wars in Bosnia in the 1990s. The metal surfaces of this excellent example retain about 98% arsenal-refurbished blue with a few scattered light handling marks and small spots of wear toning to gray patina. The bolt and bolt carrier are bright with a few speckles of light oxidation staining. All metal markings are crisp with all the correct parts of the carbine serialized to the receiver. The European hardwood stock and handguard rate very good plus with a thin 3” crack in the right wood line below the action and some scattered minor handling marks including a few small chips on the stock and a light abrasion on the top of the characteristic three-vent handguard and the stock is correctly-numbered to the receiver. The underside of the barrel is import-marked, the sights and cleaning rod are intact and an excellent condition Albanian green cloth AK-style sling is included along with a cleaning kit and oiler which fit in the unique double trap buttplate. Other unique features that set the Albanian “Independence Carbine” apart is the AK-style charging handle, the shape of the magazine cover, and the elongated forend of the stock which extends to the gas block. The action of this desirable variation on the SKS appears to function well mechanically. (23B10837-60) {C&R} [Howard Bearse Collection] (800/1200)