What's up Doc?

That was close to 20 years ago, Calum! If you stop and think about it, the barrelled actons of SKS and M-1/14 rifles assemble to the stocks in a similar manner. The forend hooks into the barrel band, and then the trigger guard clamps the rear of the assembly together. I bedded the receiver flats and recoil shoulder, and then cast a pad at the rear of the trigger guard. Before the bedding, the barrelled action could be shifted in the stock - like a used service grade M-1. Afterwards, everything was nice and firm. Set it up so there was a bit of tension on reassembly.
Claven2 - That was the lot the rifle came from. Arrow in triangle, '51 date, had been rebarrelled (serial m/m), laminated stock w/varnish. Not much sign of use after rebuild. Presentable rifle.
Also had one of the stamped receiver Chinese rifles through the shop. It had been reblued, fair amount of pitting under the wood. Had never heard of a stamped SKS before I saw this one. Eos can supply the details about these.
 
Claven2 said:
You are right, the earliest receivers did not have chinese on them - they were receivers sent to China from RUSSIA. They can be ID's by a 4 digit serial number with a Cyrillic prefix. They also have no factory stamps. I assure you, your rifle is NOT one of those. I've never seen one dated after 1961, by the way, and ALL were assembled at Factory 26.

The absence of Type 54 in Chinese and the 7.62x39 lettering make your rifle a definite commercial production SKS. It's also not a 1957 made receiver, probably more like 1987... or later.

It should still be a fine rifle though - have fun with it!
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First carbines ("Sino-Soviet" model) use Latin alphabet prefixes. "W" series is the highest I've seen. You will see the odd Cyrillic letter on a Soviet made part. The (transliterated) "y" and "K" markings for final proof and accuracy proof were copied straight from Russian practice. Later, the double circle proof replaced the "y" proof although the "K" proof remained. Eventually, both markings were dispensed with
 
Claven2 said:
You are right, the earliest receivers did not have chinese on them - they were receivers sent to China from RUSSIA. They can be ID's by a 4 digit serial number with a Cyrillic prefix. They also have no factory stamps. I assure you, your rifle is NOT one of those. I've never seen one dated after 1961, by the way, and ALL were assembled at Factory 26.

The absence of Type 54 in Chinese and the 7.62x39 lettering make your rifle a definite commercial production SKS. It's also not a 1957 made receiver, probably more like 1987... or later.

It should still be a fine rifle though - have fun with it!
Click to expand...

Are all chinese-lettered "Type56" rifles missing the 7.62x39 stamp?

I am mildly dissapointed since I was hoping mine had been at least carried by a soldier at some point :mad:

I guess I chose the wrong rifle to buy, but I was more concerned with the bore than the lettering on the side. Guess I will have to get a second one :)

Is there any military-used SKS that comes from any other factory than Factory26?

Also, recent (80's) produced SKSs used threaded barrels still?
 
Proutfoo said:
Are all chinese-lettered "Type56" rifles missing the 7.62x39 stamp?

I am mildly dissapointed since I was hoping mine had been at least carried by a soldier at some point :mad:

I guess I chose the wrong rifle to buy, but I was more concerned with the bore than the lettering on the side. Guess I will have to get a second one :)

Is there any military-used SKS that comes from any other factory than Factory26?

Also, recent (80's) produced SKSs used threaded barrels still?
Click to expand...

Several of the second line factories also produced the threaded bbl/milled parts model similar to the 26 produced late model carbine
(10/11 mill series). All the numbered factories produced military carbines. Bear in mind that prior to the military reforms of the 1980's
Chinese ground forces numbered 6 million including People's Militia units. During this time the Type 56 Carbine remained the primary infantry arm.

Military carbines are usually identified by the "56 Type" marking after 1958 or so as well as the factory number marking. The "M21" marking is found on those carbines made for military export during the 60s. Later, no attempt to disguise the origin of export cabines was made and military production items will show similar markings to those retained for domestic use.

The calibre marking may be found on those carbines destined for export to civilian markets and can be found on both military and non military production carbines.

There is much confusion about what constitutes a military carbine. There are at least two separate importers here in Canada, Lever and Bell distributing. Lever has sold primarily Factory 26 carbines while Bell's are from the second wave factories. Bell's also have ranged in condition from unissued original condition to military quality refurb (note: the Lever 26 carbines are also refurbed but not to the usual military quality, especially where wood type and finish or mixture of parts is concerned).

One easy way to tell who imported a carbine is the magazine 5 round conversion. Lever's uses a stud rivetted to the mag floorplate while the Bell units have a long stud replacing the follower arm spring guide. The later is less obtrusive and does not alter the exterior appearance of the magazine.
 
Proutfoo said:
I guess I chose the wrong rifle to buy, but I was more concerned with the bore than the lettering on the side. Guess I will have to get a second one :)
Click to expand...

FWIW, all the Chinese SKS rifles have chrome lined bores, so bore condition shouldn;t be an issue ;) If it looks rough, try cleaning it - Chrome doesn't corrode, but copper fouling does.
 
Claven2 said:
FWIW, all the Chinese SKS rifles have chrome lined bores, so bore condition shouldn;t be an issue ;) If it looks rough, try cleaning it - Chrome doesn't corrode, but copper fouling does.
Click to expand...

I just picked one that the rifling seemed the sharpest. They all had mirror bores and the one I have is no exception. in fact, it is hard to check when clean because it blinds me :D
 
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