Chinese M21 SKS- NO series

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
Hopefully this will fit the Soviet Bloc, since it is a Soviet pattern rifle. Note that this is a Chinese NO serial number SKS. I was extremely lucky to find this old warhouse.
Although I have no "bring back papers", I suspect that it is a Vietnam War bring back. It sure looks the part.... As the "NO" SN series was made for export some suspect that it could even be fore the mid east.... according to my research, no... "NO" series were imported by usual sources.

Note that the bayonet and cleaning rod are missing. I am told that this is often the case, as Vietcong would take the bayonet off, and make into a field knife. The metal is in "fair" condition, as there is much rust and pitting.




She is a non matcher. The bolt and top cover are different SN's, although the rest of the gun "matches".

The wood finish is degraded, although nobody took a belt sander to the wood. I have cartouches on the wood. Although some folks say that the finish prolly came from China like this, I suspect that somebody tried to clean the rifle and hit the varnish/ lacquer with a HD cleaner...
Any thoughts on fixing the varnish/ lacquer. Note that I am more interested in preserving the gun, than making it... new....






The SN reads: M21 NO9433xx

It also has a very rusty cleaning kit in the buttstock....

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[WarPig1976]

This is one of those tough calls. Being that it most likely is VBB you really don't want to mess with it. With that said rust IS metal cancer and it doesn't matter if you oil it, it will continue to eat at the metal.
If this was my carbine I would wipe the stock down with "Gunny paste" google it, from here on out. No refinishing. For the rust I'd pick up some rust converter and kill it. I forget the name of the stuff I use but there's a bunch out there. Test to insure it doesn't act like a blue remover too like Naval Jelly. Keep in mind the areas of rust are already shot so your not really harming anything. Then clean the areas with a bronze brush and cold blue what's left. Nice score!!