This Yugoslav M59/66A1 is a Zastava-built SKS in 7.62×39, serial I-4586xx, and is all matching and mechanically excellent. It is the A1 pattern, carrying the flip up luminous night sights on folding bases that distinguish it from the standard M59/66. The bore is mirror bright, which is worth saying plainly on this model, because Zastava did not chrome line these barrels and bore condition on surplus examples varies a great deal as a result. The gas cut-off valve turns freely. The folding blade bayonet is present and so is the cleaning rod, and the carbine comes with a leather sling and a cleaning kit. The rifle shows honest wear from service rather than the marks of a rebuild, and is offered as it is shown.
The M59/66 is the Yugoslav service SKS, built under license at Crvena Zastava in Kragujevac and adopted in 1966 as a development of the earlier M59. What sets it apart from every other SKS is the muzzle: a spigot type grenade launcher permanently installed at the end of the barrel, which doubles as a muzzle brake, paired with a ladder type grenade sight that folds flat behind the front sight when not wanted. The two work together through a manual gas cut-off on the gas block. Rotating the cut-off knob from the right side of the block to the top shuts off the flow of gas to the piston, so that the full force of the cartridge drives the grenade, and the same movement releases the ladder sight so it can be raised. It is the only SKS variant issued with an integral grenade launching system. The A1 designation marks a later modification of the same carbine, fitted with luminous night sights on folding bases. The carbine otherwise follows the Simonov pattern closely, with a ten round fixed magazine, a folding blade bayonet and U-notch iron sights graduated from 100 to 1000 metres. The M59/66 remained in production until about 1986, was partly replaced in Yugoslav service by the Zastava M70, and began reaching civilian markets as surplus in the 1990s.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Crvena Zastava, Kragujevac, Yugoslavia
Model: M59/66A1
Caliber: 7.62×39
Serial: I-4586xx
Capacity: 10 rounds, fixed magazine
Sights: U-notch, graduated 100 to 1000 metres, flip up night sights on folding bases, plus folding ladder grenade sight
Muzzle: Permanently installed spigot type grenade launcher
Gas system: Manual gas cut-off valve on the gas block, turns freely
Bayonet: Folding blade bayonet, present
Barrel: Not chrome lined, as built
Matching: All matching
Bore: Mirror
Condition: Honest service wear
Mechanical condition: Excellent
Included: Leather sling, cleaning kit, cleaning rod
