Posted: 5/2/2005 1:37:40 PM EDT
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This is my take... An original will have all major parts and many minor parts numbered with a mechanical font. On a Yugo, you will also see part/lot numbers which stick out as not being a serial. The exception is a factory rebuild, which will have fewer parts numbered, and the remaining parts that are numbered will be electropenciled. FYI: the only critical ones to safety are the receiver, bolt, and carrier, which set headspace and how well the bolt is held into the locking shoulder. All other parts are a fit and finish issue. A Yugo must be purchased on the basis of condition, espeically the bore condition. NO Yugo firearm was manufactured with a chome lined bore, and they exclusively used corrosive ammo. Kind of like the Garand, and did you ever wonder why an original Garand is hard to come by? Fact is, that without textbook care, rust will find a home in the bore. Do you think the Serbs used such care? Many Yugos are in bad shape. Funny how a Chinese SKS that spent years in the tropical jungle can have a pristine bore, whereas a Yugo that has seen nothing more than a few shots and a damp warehouse can have a destroyed bore. Forget about matching numbers as the first criteria you look at when considering a purchase. This being said, if you determine the corrosion fairy hasn't paid it a visit, all matching mechanical font or electropenciled numbers is a plus. I had to look over no fewer than 20 before I found one with a good enough bore (even so it was still a risk as I had to judge it by the crown only as the bore was full of crusty cosmo). This one is definately a rebuild and is 100% electropenciled. Keep in mind that while not as attractive as an original, rebuilds are still factory guns. After cleaning the surplus of cosmo off, the only defects in this one are a few nicks in the wood, and worn finish on the gas tube and buttplate. All in all, a good find especially as it has a PERFECT bore, something very unsusal for a M59. Keep in mind that after a certain date ('66), all M59 slated for a rebuild were converted into 59/66s.  Little to no evidence of firing on the bolt face and ejector.  A bore better than what's currently coming out of the Remington Factory.  |