Kinda had the feeling they were Japaneseicon, didnt really figure a next in line owner would put markings where they couldnt easily be seen. One more thing about this carbine, the serial number is 76***, yet the bottom of the receiver, trigger, bolt latch, and both plates that hold the receiver into the grip are marked 903. Trigger looks as though it was scrubbed and then this number applied. Did the Chinese do this possibly?