Questions about my SKS's carvings [Pics Included]

[Smith]

Hello everyone,

I have some questions regarding the carvings on my Yugo 59/66 SKS. I like guns and history, so I love knowing the history of my guns. If there's an SKS guru out there who can explain these, I would be very grateful.


I know these are the Serbian coat of arms. Which conflict was this rifle likely used in?


I assume this is the name of the rifle's owner?


I have no idea what this means. Is it a date?


I'm not sure if that is a cross, or an unfinished Serb coat of arms.

To anyone who can help me out, thanks in advance for any assistance.


Smith

 

[Smith]

Bump

 

[Arbor]

Interesting! But no idea. Where did you get it?

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I saw this on something regarding mausers also. It was on yugo. mauser sniper rifles. I think what you have is the equivelant of trench art.
This would be the recent 1990's Serbian conflict

Time + wood + Knife = Carvings

 

[bill larry]

You should post those pics on www.sksboards.com

There have been many threads over there on the matter.

 

[.45Guy]

Looks like part of the old Yugoslav coat of arms.

 

[Crawfish141]

I've seen it on Yugo AK's, but never an SKS.

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

PSALM 23:4

 

[Winston_Smith]

Interesting markings. What did you have to do to the GL to make it legal in CA?

 

[zoom6zoom]

It's the Serbian Cross.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_cross

 

[akolleth]

Yep the cross you see is the Serbian cross, the four C are actually pronounced like S in the English language. The four C represent the phrase Samo Sloga Srbina Spasava or "only unity can save the serbs" The other carvings are undoubtedly of the soldiers name, and a date. Carvings on Yugo rifles are not totally uncommon, and the most commonly seen are serbian crosses, and names.

This rifle would have belonged to a Serbian fighter during the Yugoslavian civil wars of 1991-1995. Basically in a two minute history lesson during that time as Communism was falling apart in the Soviet Union several states in Yugoslavia decided to split apart (Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Hertzgovenia, Kosovo) The central govenment of the former Yugoslavia had been based in Serbia and the war started with them attempting to keep the breakaway nations together by force.

It was a very dark time in Yugoslavian history with horrid war crimes committed by all sides (Serbs, Croats, Bosnians) As the war was not really being led by armies, but more by militias the military discipline broke down real quick and both sides engaged at times in genocide against their neighbors.

This is the uber-fast version, bit you should really study up more on the war if you are really interested in the history of your rifle.