Zastava ~ Model 59/66 SKS ~ 7.62x39mm

An iconic surplus military rifle, the Soviet SKS is a semi-automatic gas-operated rifle chambered in the 7.62x39mm Soviet intermediate cartridge. These rifles have been produced by several countries for military use since the mid-20th Century andthough new production has all but ceasedare still plentiful on the market for historic collectors and firearms enthusiasts alike. The original SKS rifle was built by the Soviet Union with development starting in the mid-1940s and officially being adopted in 1949. However, the famous AK-47 rifle had been completed at nearly the same time and offered many benefits over the SKS, thus commandeering the military contract for Soviet Russia. But, many other Eastern Bloc countriesas well as Chinawould not ignore the SKS and began to build their own licensed copies. The Zastava Model 59/66 is a licensed copy of the SKS built in Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia had already been working to replace their M48 bolt-action rifles and the semi-automatic M59 seemed like an obvious choice. These Yugo rifles were built on Austrian tooling from Steyr Arms. In 1966, the rifles were revisited and modified to fire rifle-mounted grenades; these rifles were designated the M59/66. Grenade-related modifications included a flip-up grenade ladder sight behind the standard front sight post as well as a new muzzle device that worked both as a muzzle brake and as a mounting surface for grenades. Earlier pieces had ports machined into the muzzle device, while later versions opted to remove the ports and keep the mounting surfaces. These Yugoslavian SKS rifles are easily identified by their extruding large grenade launching muzzle devices and blade-style folding bayonets. This M59/66 can be dated to 1967the second year producedand features a 21 ½" barrel with a dovetailed hooded front sight. There is also a large dot flip-up front sight post for faster target acquisition. The rear sight has a sliding adjustment bar to adapt for elevation. The grenadier ladder sight folds right behind the standard rifle front sight. The rifle is set in an oil-finished plain hardwood stock with a fixed internal 10-round magazine; the magazine floorplate also opens for quick unloading and for maintenance. This rifle is in very good condition. There is very little wear on the stock or action and the barrel's internals are in very good condition, with no rust or pitting. The rifle does not include a case or box.