the real ones have a heel stamp- as far as norinco goes,the very early ones have nothing but a star , made in proc, and a serial number on the side- or at least mine does- then the m14s, then the m305 designation- i've seen pics of heel stamped chinese, bu i think they were polysmdbuckle said:I'd rather have M14 stamped to the side of my rifle then M305. Glad mine does! Same rifle though....