Chinese SKS Type 56 ID FAQ

[11B40]

Great thread, mine is a bring back. I was Infantry in Vietnam and during my tour SKS-s weren't to be found in South Vietnam. I was there 68-69 and we faced NVA carrying only AKs, RPDs, and RPGs. I got mine while on a mission into Cambodia from a solider that no longer needed it. I'll have to dig it out and check out it's markings. My two son's loved shooting mine so much I had to buy them each one so I could get mine back.
As a side note; I left Oakland Ca. with the SKS on my shoulder and a Tokarev pistol in my brief case and boarded a commercial jet. Times sure have changed!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[dutchie]

Wow, that's great information.

I obtained a Factory 26 SKS this weekend. It has non matching trigger guard, non matching Magazine. No numbers on the bolt carrier. It has the charging slots. Sling Swivel is on the side of the butt.

Serial number is 12211488

So this puts it at 1968? If so, then that's still a sweet find.

[Boris Badinov]

The dating info in this thread is old and incoorrect.

The first two digits of your serial number identify it as a 12th year gun-- 1967.

The most up-to-date research on the Chinese guns and dates of manufacture can be found here:
Dating The Chinese SKS
...nearly two decades of research involved.

[Rwscharf]

Great info but I'm still lost. I have a triangle 0223 SN 20 0195xx I can't find info on that serial number.
thx

[Boris Badinov]

Great info but I'm still lost. I have a triangle 0223 SN 20 0195xx I can't find info on that serial number.
thx

From the serial number: 20th year gun (20mil) --1975. The rest of the serial number is the rifle's chronologial place in the order of production.

It's the 19,5XXth rifle produced at arsenal /0223\ in the 1975.

from the link above:

"The slightly harder ones:
(This list is by no means complete; more will be added as they are discovered.)

1973: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 18,000,000’s.
1974: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 19,000,000’s.
1975: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 20,000,000’s.
1976: Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 21,000,000’s.
1977: Diamond/Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 22,000,000’s.
1978: Oval/Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 23,000,000’s.
1979: Diamond/Oval/Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 24,000,000’s.
1980: Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 25,000,00’s.
1983: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 28,000,000’s.
1984: Triangle Arsenals, No Arsenal Stamp, S/N in the 29,000,000’s."

[Rwscharf]

would 1975 have a blade or a spike? This has a blade.

---------- Post added at 11:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 AM ----------

I read some where that after 1965 they were spike.

[jrodshop]

I'm looking at an SKS, which I surmise is an early Chinese model. Could find now Chinese markings, no imprint on barrel at all. S/N (008XX) appears in large digits on top next to where the range finder is located (receiver?). It is also imprinted underside of the trigger. Only being able to see the 5 digits before, this appeared to be one of the early ones made in 1956 at factory 26. Judging by the look of the metal, it is that old. But then with lighted magnifying glass to aid these old eyes, I see there is imprint partially concealed by the replacement stock, looks like 1-14008XX... and a Chinese symbol, the top of which looks like some kind of cross. All wood has been replaced with high-impact plastic (ABS?) with the folding butt stock. Bipod and spike-type bayonet are still attached. Trying to help the widow of an old friend identify this thing and put a price on it, with padded nylon case and a couple of magazines.Attachment 93611Attachment 93610Attachment 93611Attachment 93610

[jrodshop]

Another photo to add.. 5 digit S/N appears to be part of a 7 digit S/N, which looks to be preceded by 1 - (1 dash).. 1-140087X, stamped on the barrel, barely visible above the replacement stock, and a triangle of triangles immediately to the right of the number. Further to the right, after the triangle stamp is SKS 7.62 CHINA. ' can't see anything else without taking it apart, which I am not adept with. I did see the triangle or triangles associated with the number 0306 somewhere..Attachment 93618Attachment 93619 Help?

[Boris Badinov]

I'm looking at an SKS, which I surmise is an early Chinese model. Could find now Chinese markings, no imprint on barrel at all. S/N (008XX) appears in large digits on top next to where the range finder is located (receiver?). It is also imprinted underside of the trigger. Only being able to see the 5 digits before, this appeared to be one of the early ones made in 1956 at factory 26. Judging by the look of the metal, it is that old. But then with lighted magnifying glass to aid these old eyes, I see there is imprint partially concealed by the replacement stock, looks like 1-14008XX... and a Chinese symbol, the top of which looks like some kind of cross. All wood has been replaced with high-impact plastic (ABS?) with the folding butt stock. Bipod and spike-type bayonet are still attached. Trying to help the widow of an old friend identify this thing and put a price on it, with padded nylon case and a couple of magazines.Attachment 93611Attachment 93610Attachment 93611Attachment 93610

From the serial number it's a 14th year gun or 1969.

The missing 10rd magazine, aftermarket stock, bipod, scope and muzzle doohickey all put it in the $225-300 range.

In original all matching configuration it might by worth $325-375 USD in the right sale. If you still have the orginal stock and magazine, return it to original configuration to get the extra money from the sale.

[AK-103 Dude]

I have a type 56 sks that I got from a friend when he passed away. It was never cleaned. Still had tons of cosmoline inside the gas tube, receiver, bolt carrier group and of course all around the stock. I literally had gobs of it flying out of it when I first fired it. Was rather inaccurate as you can imagine. Mine was made at factory 26. Im not particulary fond of it. I am already well versed in the Kalash system and can't see keeping two guns in that caliber hanging around especially when the chinese one is nowhere near as accurate as the Izhmash AK-100 series rifle. Oh and did I mention it still smells like cosmoline after 5 hours of deep cleaning after being detail stripped to the bone and liberally soaked in hoppes #9?