Thanks WarDawg

i believe the only SKSs that were not chromed are the Yugos.

Yeah the russkies are chromed.

Only certain years of Russian SKSs have chrome lined barrels. I think anything after 1952 has a chrome lined barrel. Some one correct me if I am wrong.

I recently read on a link from this forum that stated the Russian SKS chrome lined barrels started in '51, but lets just say a 1950 Tula has been re-arsenaled which I would assume includes a new barrel. Would it now have a chrome lined one or not? You wouldn't think they would refurb it with a non chromed one or would they?  Any thoughts out there on that?

After the last gun show, I'm not convinced the re-arsenaled Russians had anything done to them other than refinishing the outside of the rifle. I have a very nice 1954 Russian SKS and a friend of mine had been wanting one like it. We ran into a guy with one that looked SWEET!  Marked 1951r. Looked like brand new on the outside. The inside was covered in cosmoline, including inside the barrel. He bought it. When we got back to his house, he started cleaning out the cosmoline.

Didn't take long to figure out that the bore did not match the outside of the rifle for condition. It was non chrome lined and was VERY dark and rough. Of course he is pissed and since he got it from an individual and not a dealer, not much he can do about it.  I learned something as well. Just because the rifle is supposed to be re-arsenaled and looks great on the outside, better get a GOOD look on the inside. I'm pretty sure the grease inside the barrel was put there by the seller to hide its condition.

Quoted: Only certain years of Russian SKSs have chrome lined barrels. I think anything after 1952 has a chrome lined barrel. Some one correct me if I am wrong.

This is my understanding as well.

I can tell you that I have a 1950 and a 1951 and NEITHER of them are chrome lined. I dunno when they started but I do KNOW that my two do not have it FWIW.