Mag identity

[woodenword]

Found these in my dad’s stuff. Look kinda like AK mags, but wont fit. Cobray logo on the bottom are the only markings.

https://i.postimg.cc/FzhqNgCb/IMG_2643_Original.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/L5m72BQt/IMG_2644_Original.jpg

 

[cvasqu03]

Those are SKS aftermarket mags for use with a specific magazine adapter. The adapter would get screwed into the bottom of the receiver allowing for a front face for the magazine to latch onto. These were an alternative to the ones with the built in "duckbill" extension on them. The Cobray marked ones are quite collectible.

 

[woodenword]

Those are SKS aftermarket mags for use with a specific magazine adapter. The adapter would get screwed into the bottom of the receiver allowing for a front face for the magazine to latch onto. These were an alternative to the ones with the built in "duckbill" extension on them. The Cobray marked ones are quite collectible.

There is an SKS, but it has the standard mag well. I don’t think there is an adapter, but I remember seeing them for sale years ago. Any ideof the value?

 

[cvasqu03]

There is an SKS, but it has the standard mag well. I don’t think there is an adapter, but I remember seeing them for sale years ago. Any ideof the value?

These mags and adapters were marketed and sold by TAPCO back in the day. The adapter requires one hole to be drilled and tapped into the receiver just behind the barrel and then it can be attached via a single screw. When taking the rifle apart, the adapter would stay with the receiver and appear to be a small protrusion toward the bottom. The magwell in the stock would appear the same as on a regular SKS. I have several of the mags (including one Cobray marked one) and a couple of the adapters but have never gotten around to installing one.
As for value, it's kind of hard to say. The adapter kits with stocks were originally discontinued back in the 20th Century and they were becoming hard to find. After these were discontinued, there was a guy on Survivor's SKS boards that started making his own adapters using a different mounting point design for use with modified Tapco duckbill mags, and even managed to work it so you didn't have to drill into your receiver. I had one of these as well but never ended up using it as I didn't want to be cutting up functional mags and he never did get a source for factory mags for his design so despite being quite popular it was still a niche thing. However, I did notice that Centerfire Systems now appears to be selling an adapter that appears to be almost identical to the old TAPCO design. Currently I see it for sale with a magazine for $10. All I've seen is a picture, but it does look like the original design.
That being said, the COBRAY mag would probably be worth more for collector value, but I have no idea how much. You might want to try posting over on Survivor's SKS boards, as someone there may have a better idea.

 

[woodenword]

Thanks for the information!