1966 Chinese Type 56 from Factory /26\

[fenceline]

Thought I'd share this one. I picked it up a week ago. First the pics, then the written observations.

The rifle... \/ \/ \/



Lightening cut on bolt... \/ \/ \/



Lightening cut on bayonet lug... \/ \/ \/



Bayonet and stock... \/ \/ \/





Sight block and barrel lug... \/ \/ \/





Gas Tube... \/ \/ \/

[fenceline]

It is a 10 million series, making it a 1966 vintage. That being said, there are a few characteristics that stand out as odd...

First a look at the proper characteristics for a Jianshe born carbine, as documented by a fellow SKS nut (goes by Curtton on CGN, and Sandstorm on Milsurps, not sure if he is here yet)

- “/26\ 10,22*,**8” (ie codes are on the far left side before the 3 Chinese characters as per 1962-1970 style)
- Short barrel lug = mid production- short barrel lug (part1965 - 1980).
- Early sight base.
- Stock sling swivel = bottom of stock, consistent with changes made in 1966 from the side to the bottom.
- Milled receiver, matches early and mid-production which 66 falls into.
- Lightening cut on bayonet lug and bolt consistent with 1966 production notes. This lightening ended in 1967.

The anomalies for a 1966 rifle…
- Blade bayonet = China SKS manufacturing changed to spike bayonet in mid-1965
- No serial number on the stock.
- While the stock appears to have the proper sling mount on the bottom rather than the side, the stock is properly cut to fit the blade bayonet. The bottom sling 66 style contradicts the blade bayonet cut on the stock. Stocks would have changed in mid1965 to coincide with the spike bayonets coming into use.


There are no scratch marks or blemishes on the rifle to indicate it was a Chinese refurb. Even if it was, one would think they would have kept the spike bayonet on it if it was refurbished well after being built in 1966. The rifle feels solid and I'm quite happy with it either way.

What I'm trying to figure out is whether or not this is a transition period rifle, built using variations from the earlier models, and the mid models.

[Greasemonkey]

I'd have to say a transition period rifle, China just using left over parts. This 9 million series '65 has an unumbered blade cut stock and bottom rear sling hanger.

China seemed to refurb other countries rifles also, (see bottom photo), Norinco SKS import stamp with Russian Tula star stamped receiver, the barrel has normal Russian proof stampings. All indications are it's a Russian made SKS with Chinese import stamp and blade cut Chinese stock and Chinese handguard. The Chinese got ahold of it and did a refurb job to it at some point.

And Welcome to the forum

[desdem12]

What a great looking really clean SKS I wish they would a kept the type 53s in the condition of the SKS.

[howiebearse]

I don't think that most guys grasp the thought that almost all the Chinese sks carbines that came here were rebuilt. The ones that may not have been are slim. You really cannot try and figure them out as they do not waste parts and scrub them and re use them as needed. The Russian s do not bother in many cases to scrub anything they rather xxxx it out and electric pencil in This may depend in Russia who did the rebuilding as some stuff is definitely scrubbed and re stamped with latest matching serial number.(BEWARE Russian sks carbines are found with dated top covers that match serial number on receiver but may be an Izhevsk on a Tula or vise versa) I have seen some that were dated 53 and had the tula star after serial number but serial number on top cover matched receiver . You could see where it was scrubbed first. On the Chinese I am pretty sure that the side slings were early and for the horse borne Cavalry, Its necessary to have the side sling or the gun will beat the crap out of your back while riding. I am not sure how the Chinese got the late 56 vintage Russian guns unless they came out of Vietnam and were rebuilt. Russian sks carbines did show up there. The Chinese did not get any Russian proofed receivers when they got initial aid.

[fenceline]

I don't think that most guys grasp the thought that almost all the Chinese sks carbines that came here were rebuilt. The ones that may not have been are slim.

Meaning the Chinese examples that made it to the USA i assume. Much of what came in prior to the ban to the States were what we call up here "civilian" grade Norinco imports. Mish mash of spare parts, some of which are military, some of which are civilian sale grade. Many of the SKS-D line are of this sort. We have them up here as well, but much of what is on the market currently are the factory made, military grade Type 56 that have been in long term arsenal storage and are unrefurbished and cosmoline soaked when picked up "new".

[howiebearse]

the only commercial grade items are the non Military like the D and others that importers came up with. Chinese Military sks Parts can be stamped, Milled, or cast but meet Military Specs those parts are shipped to assembly shops and made into Military guns. No Commercial sks guns were made. The importers asked for some modifications to be made but for the most part all Military parts were used and what was not in system was made up for the commercial Imports.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Jolly Green Chopper]

Thanks for the info on SKS How did you guys get so much accurate data. I would like to read some of this stuff from the source too.Thanks

[fenceline]

Thanks for the info on SKS How did you guys get so much accurate data. I would like to read some of this stuff from the source too.Thanks

Curtton over at Canadian Gun Nutz has done a great sticky. Lots of research. He has it on a couple of forums actually.

[Woodbeef]

Thanks for the info on SKS How did you guys get so much accurate data. I would like to read some of this stuff from the source too.Thanks

Your reading the info straight from the Man who knows more about SKS 56 rifles than anyone else on earth!

[Woodbeef]

Thanks for the info on SKS How did you guys get so much accurate data. I would like to read some of this stuff from the source too.Thanks

Curtton over at Canadian Gun Nutz has done a great sticky. Lots of research. He has it on a couple of forums actually.

Tony knows a bit,but nowheres near the knowledge Howie has on the subject. Howie has had a factory stamp listing for over 10 years that I know about.

[OLD OUTLAW]

I have seen many cases on a number of boards posts and stickies about the Type 56. Most simply restate what Howie posted many years ago.
Now, info. Where does it come from? First of all the importation of Chinese SKS came to an end because they would not give our government
the arsenal etc. info that all here want to know.

So, you have to have a huge collector that buys and researches the Type 56. Especially research. Look at Howie's stickies here. You will learn a lot about them. He has gathered info from many sources and other collectors over the years. BUT, he unlike others, documents all of it.

Top in the line for Type 56 information. Bar none Boys.