Lot 138

Vietnam War Trophy Soviet Izhevsk SKS Rifle with Papers

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Vietnam War Trophy Soviet Izhevsk SKS Rifle with Papers

Estimate: $3,500 - $5,000

Starting Bid: $3,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Vietnam War Trophy Soviet Izhevsk Arsenal SKS Semi-Automatic Rifle with Registration to 4th Infantry Division Officer First Lieutenant John D. Rochelle The SKS (Samozaryadny karabin Simonova or Simonov self-loading carbine) was designed by Sergei G. Simonov and served as the primary Soviet infantry weapon following World War II. It represented an important transitional step between the full-powered bolt action Mosin-Nagant and the selective fire intermediate caliber AK-47. The SKS was one of the signature weapons of the Soviet Union during the Cold War and was also exported in large numbers to Soviet allies, especially after the SKS was phased out of service in the late 1950s. Through these exports, many arrived in Vietnam for use by the People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong. An included War Trophy Registration dated April 24, 1969, identifies this SKS by serial number as the property of First Lieutenant John D. Rochelle of Company A, 704th Maintenance Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. The exact circumstances of Rochelle's acquisition of the rifle are unknown; however, around the time of the registration, the 4th Division was stationed at Pleiku, a critical point for the logistics of both North and South Vietnam in the Central Highlands. Contact with North Vietnamese forces and opportunities to either personally capture or trade for a captured weapon would have been relatively plentiful. The rifle was manufactured in 1957 and features a hooded post front sight, tangent rear sight, the serial number and "arrow in triangle" arsenal marking on the left side of the slide, matching numbers on the receiver, floorplate, trigger guard, and stock; and an underfolding knife bayonet.

Manufacturer: Soviet State Factories

Model: SKS

BBL: 20 inch round

Stock: hardwood

Gauge: 7.62x39 mm

Finish: blue

Serial NumberAA2434-1957

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Provenance: First Lieutenant John D. Rochelle; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Good with wear and tear appropriate to a weapon subjected to the rigors of jungle warfare, retaining 30% of the original blue finish, strongest on the receiver, with areas of brown and gray patina, scattered pitting, and mild handling marks. The bolt carrier has a mixed serial number but is a good match in condition to the rest of the rifle, suggesting a period of use replacement. The stock has a coat of protective varnish, a crack forming in the toe of the buttstock, and stains and dents. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000