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How we grade firearm condition at Old Steel Arsenal
How Old Steel Arsenal grades and photographs firearm condition – mechanical function, bore, finish, originality, matching numbers, and markings.
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How firearm consignment works at Old Steel Arsenal
How firearm consignment works at Old Steel Arsenal – what it means, why sellers choose it, and when it is the right way to sell your firearm.
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Common SKS Variants: Soviet, Chinese Type 56 & Yugo M59/66
The SKS is one of the most recognizable Cold War rifles in the world. Designed in the Soviet Union and adopted in 1949, it was produced by the millions across the Eastern Bloc and beyond, which means “an SKS” can be any of several quite different rifles. Here is how to tell the main variants…
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Finnish Mosin-Nagant Guide: M39 vs M28/30 vs M91
Finland built some of the finest Mosin-Nagant rifles ever made. Working from captured and surplus Russian receivers, Finnish makers fitted heavier barrels, better sights, and improved stocks, producing rifles with a reputation for accuracy that the original Russian arms rarely matched. If you are shopping for a Finnish Mosin, here is how to tell the…
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Mauser K98k Maker Codes Explained: byf, bcd, dot, svw
Pick up almost any wartime Mauser K98k and you will find a short cluster of letters and two digits stamped on the receiver and barrel — something like byf 41 or dot 44. That is the maker code and year, and once you can read it you know who built the rifle and when. Here…
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How FFL Transfers Work in Texas: Shipping a Firearm to Old Steel Arsenal
Journal · FFL Guide How FFL Transfers Work in Texas Bought a rifle online, won an auction, or arranged a private sale from out of state? In almost every case it can’t ship straight to your door — it has to go through a licensed FFL dealer. Here’s how it works in Texas, and how…