1655

North Vietnamese SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle, Presented to Lt Gen Walt, U.S.M.C. by BGen Sang of the Re

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
North Vietnamese SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle, Presented to Lt Gen Walt, U.S.M.C. by BGen Sang of the Re
According to the letter included with this lot, BG Kim Yun-Sang, Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps, presented this rare captured NVA made SKS rifle to Lieutenant General Lewis William Walt, Commander III Marine Amphibious Force (AMF) in February of 1967, after a successful operation against the 1st VC Regiment, I Corps. Starting his career as an artillery Lieutenant, General Walt transferred to the Marines, where he would fight in World War II with the 1st Marine Raiders, spend the post-War years as the Chief of the Tactics Section of the Officer Candidates School at Quantico, fought in Korea, earning medals from both the American and Korean governments, commanded the III Marine Amphibious Force and 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam, and ended his career as a Four-Star General and Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. Brigadier General Kim Yun-Sang was in command of the 2nd Marine Brigade, aka the Blue Dragon Brigade, that worked alongside the III MAF in Korea. Standard features on the rifle, with a "1 in star" factory mark on the side, 9 inch knife bayonet, and a brass plaque on the left side, with presentation markings. Also included with the rifle is the aforementioned letter from Colonel Walt, information on General Walt and the 2nd ROK Marine Brigade.
BBL: 20 1/2 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 7.62x39 mm
Finish: Blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 642113
Condition: Very good, with half of the original blue finish, showing mild spotting, areas of gray patina and mild handling marks. The stock has been revarnished (as a trophy), with a small hole in the left side of the buttstock, mild scratches, varnish loss, and an absent sling base. Mechanically excellent.