T53 or M53 ????

[Ivan6]

Stopped by a Gander Mountain that had the usual 91/30s and a couple of Chineses 7.62x54s. Asked to see a Chinese which carried a price of 199.00. Nothing different than the common item. Stock with gouges and , in this case , a bore with little rifling left. Bolt did not match etc. The only positive was that they had been degreased. Same importer of C.A.I. as mine.

The real question is what are these really called properly. M53 -T53 ? Ganders tag refered to the carbine as M53. I have always called it a T53. Seems like alot of folks do the same. Came home and looked at mine and sure enough C.A.I. has it plastered on the barrel as M53 7.62x54. The serial number says T53XXXXX.

Simple question is which is actually right??? Gander rep said he didn't know much about the surplus arms. Seems like I don't either !!!

[cjsimoh]

I checked one of my T53s from Century and the import marking is exactly the same way. Maybe the M is for Mosin?

[Darryl]

Chinese is a T53
All the rest are M44

[Longcolt44]

Well damn. Chinese carbines are commonly called a T53. I just checked 3 of my Chinese and the importer, C.A.I., stamp reads CHINA M53. I would bet even money that like me, everybody has looked at the import stamp and never really read it. Now it has me wondering who started he T53 designation.

[Darryl]

Russians called theirs "Model 1944 Carbine" or M44

Chinese designation was T53

Doesn't matter what the importer calls it.

[Gsragtop]

T53=type 53. The Chinese seem to call all there military rifles Type something.. Russia used Model so we use "M"

[vblue42]

I think the "T" or "Type" designation is what the US military refers to all Chinese military rifles so it is just known that way from this side of the pond. I don't think the Chinese actually use the "Type" designation. As far as the importer is concerned I would imagine it only makes sense being the 53 is a version of the M44 so they called it the M53.

[BuckeyeSgt]

I checked mine...oh ya there is no import mark.

[Junk Yard Dog]

T 53

[zeebill]

I would say it is the Chinese type 53 of the Russian Mosin M44 rifle. As far as what they stamp on rifles they just put on there what they are told to put on there. Years ago they erred often and big and I think they were sued when one to the caliber mismarked rifles exploded with the wrong ammo loaded according to marking that was on it. They became a bit more careful after that because it cost them quite a bit when they lost the case.

I think I have related a number of times they stamped one of my P series rifles so hard they bubbled the liner into the bore making it unsafe to fire. Wonder what I would have gotten for not noticing that and firing it? Nahh never mind I don't want to envision that after all. Bill

[bunkysdad]

Puh-tay-toes, puh-tot, ohs........
Type 53, model 53
Just call me in time for supper.

[Rongo]

Puh-tay-toes, puh-tot, ohs........
Type 53, model 53
Just call me in time for supper.

exactly. Type 53, T53, M53... model 53. we know what it is & that's all that matters.

[Ivan6]

O.K. so it depends on who the conversation is with. Seems each side could make a case of what to call it regardless of what could be considered proper. I am sure Gander would say that that is what they were told, that is what the markings are etc. etc.

Surprised no comment on the price of 199.00 ?????

As always , Thanks

[Rongo]

O.K. so it depends on who the conversation is with. Seems each side could make a case of what to call it regardless of what could be considered proper. I am sure Gander would say that that is what they were told, that is what the markings are etc. etc.

Surprised no comment on the price of 199.00 ?????

As always , Thanks

$199? Yeah... More than I would spend. Most I spent on a Type 53 was $80, but I'm a self-admitted Cheap bastard.

[Darryl]

All this talk give me a headache.

Truth is, the only ones that can say what it is "officially called", is China.

It's there rifle, and I'll bet they use some sort of Chinese character which doesn't really translate into "English" letters......

So, use what you want, T53, M53, Type 53, or what ever, we know what you are trying to say. (but collectors use T53, or Type 53.... )

Dolk

[kamakazi339]

T53=type 53. The Chinese seem to call all there military rifles Type something.. Russia used Model so we use "M"

The Chinese do the same for their tanks and planes I believe as well

[Sirex]

I call mine General Tso.

[bunkysdad]

Oh, yeah the 199.00. I must have skipped right over that. I tell you what I think. I think that when I first saw a dealer that had these on the shelf so I could actually hold them and look em over, they were 179.00 and they were kind of rough stocks. But getting the chance to hold them and look at them really close gave me the chance to see the quality beyond the rough stock. I could pay the 199.00 for a nice one and still feel like I got a bargain. I would want to hold it in my hands however if paying 150.00 or more.

[tinknocker104]

O.K. so it depends on who the conversation is with. Seems each side could make a case of what to call it regardless of what could be considered proper. I am sure Gander would say that that is what they were told, that is what the markings are etc. etc.

Surprised no comment on the price of 199.00 ?????

As always , Thanks

$199? Yeah... More than I would spend. Most I spent on a Type 53 was $80, but I'm a self-admitted Cheap bastard.

Sorry for the thread derail, but when did you buy that $80.00 T53? BTW, my Type 53 has the C.A.I. M53 designation as well. This newb says it's a T53.

[Junk Yard Dog]

My first Type 53 cost me the huge sum of.....nothing, zip, zero, it was a gift from a surplus store owner who couldn't sell it even at $25, and it is a pretty good rifle, the stock had a lot of cracks and splits, Omega offering back in '88