DB marked sks: what is it?

Discussion of the SKS platform of semi auto rifles

Preservation forum, please no altered military surplus rifles or discussions on altering in this forum. Please read the rules at the top of each forum.
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

I went to look at an SKS for sale that was listed as an "un fired norinco". I got there and the gun was obviously fired. The side if the reciever has DB stamped where the factory mark usually is and then the serial #. No other markings that I can see easily. He wanted 400.00 for it. I told him it was not un fired and I would give him 250.00 for it. He said ok, so I bought it.
Anybody ever see a "DB" marked sks? It looks like a type 56 to me.

I will get pics up when I get it home.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
User avatar
Greasemonkey
Posts: 2689
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:29 am
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Contact:

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Greasemonkey »

I've ran across one, it's not a common marking, there is also a DP stamped variant. I've seen guesses on everything from a possible Chinese contract rifle for Pakistan to every other imaginable guess. Being Chinese, we'll never know and can only guess, China ain't talking. By all accounts, it is a standard Type 56, but for some reason some got DP and DB stamps, must have been some reason. But again being China, there may have been no reason other than to add confusion. The one I saw had a pressed barrel, not the earlier threaded style indicating it was somewhat later in Chinese production.

fintowin wrote:I will get pics up when I get it home.
Are ya home yet :vconfused: :worthless: :chuckles:
I said I was an addict. I didn't say I had a problem.
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

Sorry for the worthless pic-less thread. I didnt have time to get any up when I got home. My phone pics are too large of a file to uploaad onto this site. I have to crop them in order to upload. Here is a cropped close-up of the DB. It has a chinese character after it if you look real close. I was searching online for the DB sks, and I found a couple of people translated that character to "brigade".

My carbine has cosmo dried onto the surface pretty heavy, so it is hard to see the chinese mark between the db and the serial. It is there though.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

Import mark
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
User avatar
tjtM38
Posts: 2553
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2011 10:41 am
Location: Northeast Mississippi

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by tjtM38 »

A good deal on a Norinco SKS. I have two of these and like them more with every shot. Make sure you completely disassemble and get all the cosmoline out. A lot of people bought these in the 90's and didn't do shit to them before taking them out and shooting some until they jammed up. Mine weren't unfired, but they certainly hadn't been fired much. Owners probably bought them and had no clue or didn't care how to clean up a milsurp.
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

IMG_9610.JPG
Here are some pics before thorough cleaning. I have the bayo, just not on in the pics.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
User avatar
tjtM38
Posts: 2553
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2011 10:41 am
Location: Northeast Mississippi

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by tjtM38 »

Make sure that firing pin and firing pin channel is clean and is not stuck forward in old cosmoline. Otherwise, you are asking for slam fire. The pics look great; this should be a very nice shooter for you.
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

I have heard of that happening (slam fire). The pin on this one moves freely, but I will spray it out good w/carb cleaner then put gun oil in it.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
User avatar
Greasemonkey
Posts: 2689
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:29 am
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Contact:

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Greasemonkey »

fintowin wrote:I have heard of that happening (slam fire). The pin on this one moves freely, but I will spray it out good w/carb cleaner then put gun oil in it.
I would recommend puling the pin and cleaning the channel, the carb spray could loosen grease only to have it reharden in another location. Removal allows inspection of the tip for any damage, also to verify the pin is truly straight, a bent pin, even slightly could hang in the channel. Also, use very little if any oil on the pin or in the firing pin channel, excess can and will attract soot and small debris during firing, and you will be back at risk of slam fire.

Nice looking SKS :thumbsup:
I said I was an addict. I didn't say I had a problem.
User avatar
tjtM38
Posts: 2553
Joined: Sun Dec 25, 2011 10:41 am
Location: Northeast Mississippi

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by tjtM38 »

Greasemonkey wrote:
fintowin wrote:I have heard of that happening (slam fire). The pin on this one moves freely, but I will spray it out good w/carb cleaner then put gun oil in it.
I would recommend puling the pin and cleaning the channel, the carb spray could loosen grease only to have it reharden in another location. Removal allows inspection of the tip for any damage, also to verify the pin is truly straight, a bent pin, even slightly could hang in the channel. Also, use very little if any oil on the pin or in the firing pin channel, excess can and will attract soot and small debris during firing, and you will be back at risk of slam fire.

Nice looking SKS :thumbsup:
I concur with Greasemonkey; disassemble and clean the bolt. Avoid oil in the firing pin channel.
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

Will do. Thanks for the heads up. BTW, are those spring like sling connectors regular issue?
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
Ironnewt
Posts: 3021
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2011 8:44 am
Location: Northeastern Maryland

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Ironnewt »

fintowin wrote:Will do. Thanks for the heads up. BTW, are those spring like sling connectors regular issue?
The first ones I have seen. A bunch of us bought Norincos in MD back in the 80's and I don't remember any having that type of sling. It looks Neat :thumbsup:
Damn, I'll bet that's going to leave a mark! Probably hurt too!
"I think Congressmen should wear uniforms,
you know, like NASCAR drivers, so we could
identify their corporate sponsors."

"When I die, I want to be facing my enemies surrounded by their dead bodies and piles of spent brass"
"Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience." - Mark Twain

804
User avatar
Greasemonkey
Posts: 2689
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:29 am
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Contact:

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Greasemonkey »

The spring end slings are more commonly found and used on Chinese Aks and some later production SKSs. Both my Mak 90s have that style, they technically are correct for the SKS, I have a Chinese Security Force SKS with that style. There is also a Chinese sling Ak/SKS that has one end with the spring.
I said I was an addict. I didn't say I had a problem.
User avatar
Buckhead
Posts: 570
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:51 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Buckhead »

Nice find I love the SKS carbines. How did he think he could pass that off as "un fired" I may be wrong but it sure looks fired to me.
But you got it for a good price. :thumbsup:
User avatar
Bareassmeagain
Posts: 204
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:27 pm
Location: California

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Bareassmeagain »

Thats a nice Chi-Com and you did very good on the price ! As far as the bolt cleaning goes I always take it apart, spray inside the channel with brake parts cleaner using nozzle then take a q-tip and ram it through to the small FP hole. Then blow it out with small air nozzle. Safety glasses recomended. You can pick up a chi-com spike bayonet pretty cheap on ebay. Good going ! Thats a keeper 8-)
User avatar
fintowin
Posts: 848
Joined: Mon May 13, 2013 7:01 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by fintowin »

I got a bayo for 10 bucks from a friend if mine. He has bayos for alot of common milsurps usually pretty cheap.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
-George Washington
User avatar
Bareassmeagain
Posts: 204
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:27 pm
Location: California

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Bareassmeagain »

Ya can't beat that price. Chi-Coms are great shooters and function flawlessly. Give us a range report when she's all cleaned up & ready to rock & roll.. BAMA
Tank 50
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:06 pm

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Tank 50 »

Anyone have any later information on the DB/DP markings? My first is a DB. Unlike some it is pretty well finished. Also a good shooter. Proof that you can't stop at just one (like Mausers).
User avatar
Greasemonkey
Posts: 2689
Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:29 am
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Contact:

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by Greasemonkey »

One thing about the DP/DB is there is no normal factory code, or factory number.. Which after several years the closest we have come to decoding, is the symbol after the DP/DB stamp is for respective cities in China. Most likely where the factory is located, and all of these cities are fairly close to the Russian border.

This list is not complete, possibly slightly out of date, but, it shows some of the single Chinese symbols found on the DP/DB and which cities we think they represent.
Stamped symbol: City in Chinese(city translated to english)
旅: 旅順 (Lushun City)
丹: 丹东 (Dandong City)
沈: 沈阳 (ShenYang City)
大: 大连 (Dalian City)
白: 白城 (Baicheng City)
延: 延庆 (Yanqing City)
吉: 吉林 (Jilin City)
哈: 哈尔滨 (Harbin City)

It really is a best guess, but in all instances the single Chinese symbol stamped on the receiver corresponds to the name of the respective city. The single Chinese symbol we believe is more or less the factory code. Which raises the question: Why did they hid the factory number this way, maybe to make incognito weapons for export to other nations etc. It is a common practice to do, but, it's just a guess.

The actual meaning of DB/DP is an argument/study/discussion. General thinking is these DB/DP stamps were done at a later time in the rifles life, Bangladesh and Pakistan seems to be the consensus, which Chinese weaponry can be found in both nations, but like everything with Chinese, again...... it's a guess, nothing is carved in stone with Chinese weapons :D
I said I was an addict. I didn't say I had a problem.
User avatar
steelbuttplate
Posts: 3938
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:24 pm
Location: Foxhole in the Smoky Mtns. N.C.

Re: DB marked sks: what is it?

Post by steelbuttplate »

fintowin wrote:Import mark
Imported to where? originally. Isn't that some Russian on it?
" There are two kinds of people, the good people and the ones that aggravate the hell out of the good people"
Post Reply