SKS Carbines > Chinese SKS (Military)

List of Chinese Type 56 Importers

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running-man:
Here is the compilation of all the import stamps I can find on the Chinese type 56 SKS.  The photos are all clickable thumbnails that will grow to full size when you click them.  There are 100's of them out there, so this list is by no means exhaustive.  The main batch of these were brought in from 1984 through 1994, though recently a secondary batch has been imported from 2012 through 2015. 

If you have a Chinese import stamp that isn't shown here, please post up a photo and I'll add it here.  thumb1

* AAI #1, American Arms Inc. out of North Kansas City, Missouri:

NORINCO 7.62 X 39 SKS
MADE IN CHINA, AAI NKC-MO
Type: Stamp
Location: Unknown Receiver
Notes:


* AAI #2, American Arms Inc. out of North Kansas City, Missouri:

AAI-NKC-MO
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: There simply has to be other information on one of these guns such as model designator, country of origin, and caliber *somewhere* on one of these.  Hopefully a better photo will show up someday.


* ACC, ACC International/Intrac out of Knoxville Tennessee:

SKS 7.62x39MM A.C.C. INTL/INTRAC
KNOXVILLE, TN MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* ACT III #1, ACT III out of Greensboro, North Carolina:

SKS 7.62x39MM
ACT III GREENSBORO, N.C. <spaced between lines, offset to the right>
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* ACT III #2, ACT III out of Greensboro, North Carolina:

NORINCO/CHINA 7.62X39          ACT III GREENSBORO, N.C.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* ACT III #3, ACT III out of Greensboro, North Carolina:

ACT III Greensboro NC SKS 7.62X39 Made In China (By Norinco?)
Type: Engraved
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* ARMCO, Armco out of Boylston, Massachusetts:

SKS 7.62X39 MADE IN CHINA
ARMCO BOYL.MA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: I found some interesting information on this one:

--- Quote from: theakforum.net ---Armco got nailed (arrested in 1991 and convicted in 1992) "on six counts of importing firearms by means of false statements and three counts of exporting restricted firearms to China." This investigation happened after he flew to China with a glock.   
the owner ran his firearms shop out of the basement of a home on Route 70 in Massachusetts. Very interesting place from what I hear- great parking, did importation from China (SKS's, ammo, AK's) and had the ammo re-branded with his store name before it came in from China. An entrepreneur of sorts, doing work in the PRC before it got popular.
--- End quote ---
The actual appeal can be seen here: http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/36/154/563023/


* B-WEST #1, B-West out of Los Angeles, California:

MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO <left>
B-WEST L.A.CA 7.62x39mm SPORTER <right>
Type: Hand Engraved
Location: Left and Right Rear Receiver
Notes: The hand engraving and LA, CA location leads me to believe these SKSs were some of the first ones B-West Imported. 


* B-WEST #2, B-West out of Los Angeles, California:

MADE IN CHINA      MFG BY NORINCO B-WEST LA CA     7.62x39     SPORTER
Type: Stamped
Location: Right Front/Rear Receiver
Notes: Super tiny font here.


* B-WEST #3, B-West out of Los Angeles, California:

MADE IN CHINA      MFG BY NORINCO
7.62x39      SPORTER      B-WEST LA CA
Type: Stamped
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Much larger font and a clear LA, CA location here.  Makes you wonder why the switch to super tiny font occured when they had large font specimens like this one at the earlier location?


* B-WEST #4, B-West out of Tuscon, Arizona:

MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO     7.62 X 39 SPORTER     B-WEST TUC., AZ.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Slightly different than B-West #2, but pretty close.  Another of the notorious "need a magnifying glass to see it" B-West stamps.


* B-WEST #5, B-West out of Tuscon, Arizona:

7.62 X 39 SPORTER     MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO     B-WEST TUSCON AZ.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Slightly different than B-West #3, but again pretty close.  Another of the notorious "need a magnifying glass to see it" B-West stamps. 


* B-WEST #6, B-West out of Tuscon, Arizona:

MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
B-WEST TUC., AZ.
7.62 X 39 SPORTER
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes:  Yet another of the "need a magnifying glass to see it" B-West stamps.


* B-WEST #7, B-West out of Tuscon, Arizona:

MADE IN CHINA    MFG BY NORINCO    7.62 x 39
SPORTER           B-WEST TUC., AZ. (?)
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: Another of the smaller font stamps, though slightly larger than super tiny B-WEST stamps.  Really hard to read the location on this one.  It might very well be an LA CA stamp.  Hopefully another more readable example of this stamp turns up one of these days.


* B-WEST #8, B-West out of Tuscon, Arizona:

7.62 x 39 SPORTER        MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO        B-WEST TUSCON, AZ
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Very similar to the B-West #6 stamp. 


* B-WEST #9, B-West out of Tuscon, Arizona:

MFG BY NORINCO   7.62 x 39    SPORTER
B-WEST    TUC. AZ.   MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Much larger font than the earlier stamped B-West guns.


* BWEST TUC., AZ.
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
Type: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Notes: No current photo of this stamp


* Beta Arms, Beta Arms out of Los Angeles, California:

SKS 7.62X39MM
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
BETA ARMS INC L.A. CA USA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes:


* BRIKLEE #1, Briklee Trading Company, South El Monte, California:

SKS 7.62X39MM BRIKLEE SEM CA MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: See Fed Ord. for background on Briklee.


* BRIKLEE #2 (BTC), Briklee Trading Company, South El Monte, California:

BTC S.EL MONTE,CA NORINCO
7.62x39 SKS MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: See Fed Ord. for background on Briklee.


* BRIKLEE #3 (BTC), Briklee Trading Company, South El Monte, California:

7.62x39mm SKS MADE IN CHINA BTC SEM.CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: See Fed Ord. for background on Briklee.


* BRIKLEE #4 (BTC), Briklee Trading Company, South El Monte, California:

7.62x39mm SKS MADE IN CHINA BTC SEM.CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Same stamp as above, just much clearer and in a different spot on the receiver.  See Fed Ord. for background on Briklee.


* C&A #1, C&A? out of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

C&A VA BCH VA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Barrel under Gas Tube
Notes: Looks like there may be additional portions of this stamp (China, Norinco, and the caliber should be somewhere on this gun) that are not shown here, perhaps stamped on the left side of the barrel.


* C&A #2, C&A? out of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

SKS 7.62X39mm MADE IN CHINA
BY NORINCO C&.A, VA.BCH VA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Very nicely stamped marking here.  Still trying to research what C&A might actually stand for.


* C&A #3, C&A? out of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

SKS 7.62X39mm NORINCO, CHINA
C & A VA. BCH, VA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Another variation on the C&A stamp.  Distinct text combination on this one. 


* C&A #4, C&A? out of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

SKS 7.62X39 NORINCO CHINA C&A VA. BCH VA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Another variation on the C&A stamp.  Looks like three distinct stamps make this one up, all are slightly misaligned. 


* CAI #1, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

NORINCO SKS
7.62 China
CAI ST A VT
Type: Ink Marking
Location: Left Rear Receiver Cover
Notes:  I'm calling this one the first CAI stamp out there.  Early St. Albans etching located on the rear left of the receiver cover.  Obviously a simple receiver cover swap makes this entire import stamp go away.  BATF certainly had issues with this type of marking, due to it not being on the barreled receiver as well as the very minimal depth of this type of etching. (Photo courtesy of padams8888.)


* CAI #2, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

NORINCO SKS
7.62 CHINA
CAI ST A VT
Type: Ink Marking
Location: Left Front Receiver Cover
Notes: Almost identical to CAI #1, only a slightly noticeable change to all caps in the CHINA text.


* CAI #3, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

CAI ST.A. VT
SKS 7.62 CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Bottom of Barrel between FSB and gas block.
Notes: I think this one is the next logical one to place in the CAI progression as the St. A. is still prevalent, there is no Norinco marking, and the location is on the barrel.


* CAI #4, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

CAI ST ALB VT
SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front Receiver Cover
Notes:  Slightly more information (X39) added beyond the CAI #3 stamp.


* CAI #5, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

C.A.I. ST. ALB. VT
SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front Receiver
Notes: Almost identical to CAI #4, but distinctly different with the punctuation.


* CAI #6, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

SKS 7.62X39 CHINA     C.A.I.ST.ALB. VT.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* CAI #7, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

CAI  ST  ALB  VT
NORINCO CHINA 7.62X39
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: This seems like the next logical progression as the "NORINCO" is now prominent.


* CAI #8, Century International Arms out of Saint Albans, Vermont:

SKS 7.62X39 MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO CAI ST ALB VT
Type: Etch/Stamp?
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: This one almost looks like an etch, but it could easily be a stamping.


* CAI ST ALB VT NORINCO CHINA 7.62X39
NORINCO SKS7.62 CHINACAI ST A VT
Type: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Notes: Two different stamps noted but no photos available.


* CAI #11, Century International Arms out of Georgia, Vermont:

C.A.I. GEORGIA VT.
CHINA SKS TYPE 56 7.62 x 39
Type: Pin Punch
Location: Right Barrel between FSB and gas block
Notes: This is the Sino-Banian stamp for the six digit, 2 million, and 3 million /26\ guns imported in late 2012. 


* CJA #1, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS     7.62     CHINA
CJA     SOUTHFIELD. MI.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: I'm calling this one the first CJA stamp as it spells out the full city name with no abbreviation and has no mention of NORINCO or "MADE IN (CHINA)".  #2 or #3 could easily fill this spot however as the progression simply isn't known.  I have not verified that CJA equals the "China Jin An" name proposed by the old simonov.net guys.  If anyone has info on whether this is actually correct or it is something else (such as "China Jing An" which this article says is an "American representative office" opened by the Peoples Armed Police in "Smithfield, MI" in 1989.  Of course, there is no Smithfield, MI, so I'm pretty reluctant to trust that article much more than as a “Wikipedia” style reference.)


* CJA #2, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS 7.62X39MM
CJA SFLD MI
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Very large letters.


* CJA #3, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

C.J.A. SFLD. MICH.
S-K-S 7.62 MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: They made an interesting abbreviation of “S-K-S” on this stamp.  I've never seen anything similar.


* CJA #4, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS 7.62 MADE IN CHINA
CJA SFLD. M.I.
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front/Rear Receiver
Notes:  These have been seen both close to the front of the receiver cover and back as far as the takedown lever. 


* CJA #4a, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS 7.62 MADE IN CHINA
CJA SFLD. M.I.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front/Rear Receiver
Notes: Identical to CJA #4 except the stamping is on the left side of the receiver just beneath the front of the receiver cover. 


* CJA #5, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS 7.62 NORINCO
MADE IN CHINA CJA SFLD.MI.
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: I ordered this one this way because here is where NORINCO rears it's head in the CJA stamps.


* CJA #6, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS 7.62X39MM NORINCO
CJA SFLD MI MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: This one could easily jump before CJA #5.


* CJA #6a, CJA Equipment Import & Export Corp. out of Southfield, Michigan:

SKS 7.62X39MM NORINCO
CJA SFLD MI MADE IN CHINA <both sides>
Type: Stamp
Location: Left/Right Rear Receiver
Notes: Identical to CJA #6, except this one is stamped on both sides of the receiver, just under the receiver cover, forward of the takedown lever.


* COMPASSECO #1:
SKS 7.62x39MM MADE IN CHINA BY <right side, upside down>
NORINCO COMPASSECO BARDSTOWN KY
Type: Unknown
Location: Both Sides of Receiver
Notes: I have some horrible quality photos of this one but I’m still looking for a nice clear one for this guide.


* COMPASSECO #2:

SKS 7.62x39MM. MADE IN CHINA BY.
NORINCO COMPASSECO BARDSTOWN KY.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Finally found this one.  Applied on a late '92 import.


* CSI #1, ChinaSports Inc. out of Dallas Texas:

MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
7.62X39MM CSI DAL TX USA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes:  These guys started out registered in Austin, TX in 1986.  Texas Secretary of state filing can be found here.  It's interesting to note that they moved to Ontario, CA as evidenced by their mailing address of PO BOX 3250 ONTARIO, CA 91761-0925.  These are definitely the same guys.


* CSI #2, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

SKS MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
CAL 7.62x39mm CSI ONT CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes:  It looks like Randy Men was the president and this move occurred sometime after the incorporating paperwork was filed in California on March 30, 1987.  You can search the CA SOS records here by entering C1583435 as the Entity number.  Interestingly enough, Randy Men was involved in many other companies: SAFARI SUPPLY, INC. on September 11, 1992, NORINCO SPORTS U.S.A., INC. on March 19, 1998, and AIMTECH INC. on August 28, 2003.


* CSI #3, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

SKS 7.62x39 CHINA NORINCO CSI ONT CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* CSI #4, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

SKS 7.62x39 MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO CSI ONT CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* CSI #5, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

SKS 7.62x39  NORINCO CHINA CSI ONT CA.
Type: Engraved
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Distinctly different wording from the other CSIs.


* CSI #6, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

SKS7.62x39  MADE  IN  CHINA  BY  NORINCO CSI  ONT  CA
Type: Etched / Engraved
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Distinctly different in spacing and form the other CSI stamps.


* CSI #7, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

MADE IN CHINA     BY NORINCO     CSI ONT CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Unknown Rear Receiver
Notes: Distinctly different in spacing and form vs. the other CSIs.


* CSI #8, ChinaSports Inc. out of Ontario, California:

SKS 7.62X39MM CSI ONT CA
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO   
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Two line stamping is very distinct versus the other Ontario, CA CSI stamps.


* DAVIDSON’S: Davidson's Inc. out of Greensboro, North Carolina:

NORINCO/CHINA 7.62X39
DAVIDSON’s GREENSBORO, N.C.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:  Large stamp on the left side of the receiver.  Davidson's still has an active website at www.galleryofguns.com.  I found a bit of history on this manufacturer via simple web search.  Not sure how accurate the following is, but it's interesting:

--- Quote from: Google search results ---Davidson's Supply Company grew into an important Southern importer of guns who also dabbled on the side in fishing tackle. Although its origins are as yet verified, it is believed the firm was founded as an army surplus store in the wake of World War II. (RM note: Some say that the company actually started out in the automotive industry.) By the 1960s, Davidson's Inc., as it became known, was listed in the Standard Directory used by advertising agencies as dealers in "Firearms and Sporting Equipment."

The company was alive and well in 2000, when they were located at 2703 Highpoint Road, Greensboro, NC 27403 and applied for a registered trademark on the term "Gallery of Guns." They were still selling Limited Edition exclusive guns in 2007, but likely due to the economy, apparently closed their doors not long after (perhaps in late 2009). However, their web site appears to be still be live. Perhaps rumors of their demise are premature, and that would be a good thing.
--- End quote ---


* DIG #1, Delta Investment Group, Inc. out of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

DIG INC, VA BCH,VA
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO SKS 7.62X39MM
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Greasemonkey has thoroughly disproven the commonly held hypothesis that DIG represents "Dominion Import Group" in his post here: http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=2113.msg24459#msg24459.


* DIG #2, Delta Investment Group, Inc. out of Virginia Beach, Virginia:

MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO SKS 7.62X39MM
D.I.G. INC, VA. BH. VA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: This is the same stamp as seen on commercial D's.


* FED ORD. INC, FEDERAL ORDINANCE, INC. out of South El Monte, California:

FED ORD. INC.
S.E.M. CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Rear of Receiver Cover
Notes: For an in-depth read on the history of this particular company, please see this excellent link at this M1 Carbine website
In a nutshell:
* November 16, 1966: Federal Ordinance (Fed Ord.) founded in LA, CA by Burton Brenner.
* 1967: Fed Ord. moves to 9643 Alpaca in S. El Monte, CA where they shared space with National Ordinance.
* 1973: Owner of National Ordinance dies.  Company control passes to a National Ordinance shop manager and the spouse of the National Ordinance manager.
* 1975: National Ordinance shop manager suddenly passes away.  National Ordinance is liquidated and inventory is sold to Fed Ord.  Excess inventory that Fed Ord. couldn't use was shipped east to Sarco Inc.
* 1981: Brenner relocates Fed Ord. to a larger warehouse at 1443 Potrero in S. El Monte, CA.
* April 20, 1992: Bricklee Trading Company (BTC) is founded by Richard Siegel (Brenner's son-in-law) initially operating out of the Fed Ord warehouse.  Fed Ord. turned all of its assets over to Briklee due to changes in Federal laws that made the importation of firearms too dificult for Brenner.
* August 27, 1998: BTC, Brenner and Siegel are sued for breach of contract.
* 1998: Brenner Incorporates Pacific Ordinance.
* 2000: Richard Siegel declares bankruptcy.  Control of BTC is transferred over to Brenner, but from this point on it is effectively out of business.
* 2002: Brenner suffers a stroke and declares bankruptcy.
* August 10, 2009: Brenner passes away in Sherman Oaks, CA

* FOXTROT #1, Foxtrot Lima out of Auburn, New York:

FOXTROT LIMA-AUBURN,NY
SKS-7.62x39 CHINA
Type: Engraved
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes:  These guns were all imported in mid to late 2014 as a batch of Sino-Banians.


* FOXTROT #2, Foxtrot (Lima) out of Skaneateles, New York:

SKS JIANSHE CHINA 7.62x39
FOXTROT SKANEATELES NY
Type: Engraved
Location: Right barrel between FSB and gas block
Notes:  These guns are the current 2019 batch of Sino-Banians sold at Classic Arms for $419.99.


* FSA:F.S.A. JC INT’L EL MONTE CA.
Type: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Notes: This stamp is one of the Fed. Ord to Bricklee line.  I’ve seen it before by I don’t have a good photo available.


* GBE #1, GBE? out of Huntington Beach?, California:

NORINCO CHINA SKS 7.62MM GBE H.B. CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front Receiver
Notes: Letters appear to have been individually stamped as spacing and alignment are highly variable.


* GBE #2, GBE? out of Huntington Beach?, California:

JA CHINA SKS 7.62
GBE H.B. CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front/Rear Receiver
Notes: The JA in this stamp very likely references Jianshe Arsenal (/26\) in China.


* GBE #3, GBE? out of Huntington Beach, California:

7.62X39 SKS MADE IN CHINA GBE HB CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes:


* GBE #4, GBE? out of Huntington Beach, California:

GBE H.B. CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Mid Receiver
Notes:  Likely a partial stamp with additional information like caliber and country of origin elsewhere on the gun.


* GBE #5, GBE? out of Huntington Beach, California:

NORINCO SKS 7.62
MADE IN CHINA
GBE HB CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Mid Receiver
Notes:  Distinct three line stamp on this one.


* GLNIC #1, GLNIC Corporation of America out of Los Angeles, California:

SKS 7.62X39MM <S/N>         IMPORTED BY GLNIC L.A., CA
MADE IN CHINA BY CGA SEMI-AUTO
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:  Speculation is that GLINC stands for "Guangdon Lingnan Industry Corporation" or "Import Co.".  I would think "Guandong" would be the correct name, but there is zero evidence for any of this beyond some vague internet posts that have been copied and pasted many times over.  If it's on the net and it's repeated 100's of times it must be true right?  After doing my own searching, I found that the following excerpt in the California secretary of state website:

--- Quote ---Entity Name:   G L N I C CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Entity Number:   C1373165
Date Filed:   05/05/1986
Status:   DISSOLVED
Jurisdiction:   CALIFORNIA
Entity Address:   10501 VALLEY BLVD #230
Entity City, State, Zip:   EL MONTE CA 91731
Agent for Service of Process:   JUN LIU
Agent Address:   10501 VALLEY BLVD #230
Agent City, State, Zip:   EL MONTE CA 91731

--- End quote ---


* GLNIC #2, GLNIC Corporation of America out of Los Angeles, California:

SKS 7.62x39MM SEMI-AUTO MADE IN CHINA
BY CGA IMPORTED BY GLNIC L.A. CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: From my research, CGA appears to be the China Customs General Administration.  This was an export entity that was fairly active in China with early imported guns prior to Norinco taking the lion's share of PLA exports in ~1989.


* GLNIC #3, GLNIC Corporation of America out of Los Angeles, California:

SKS 7.62x39MM MADE IN CHINA BY CGA
IMPORTED BY GLNIC LA, CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Definitely a more refined looking stamp than GLNIC #2.  Seen on '91 and '92 prefixed guns.


* GLNIC #4, GLNIC Corporation of America out of Los Angeles, California:

MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
GLNIC. L.A. CA. <right front receiver>
SKS 7.62x39MM <left rear receiver>
Type: Hand Engraved
Location: Right Front Receiver / Left Rear Receiver
Notes: I've ordered them this way as Norinco makes it's first appearance.  The Norincos could theoretically predate the GCAs (and maybe they do, odd that a hand engraved gun would come after a stamped one), but from everything I've read the GCAs were first.


* GLNIC #5, GLNIC Corporation of America out of Irwindale, California:

<C19> SKS 7.62 x 39 MADE IN CHINA <Left Rear Receiver>
NORINCO GLNIC LA CA IRWINDALE CA. <Right Rear Receiver>
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver / Right Rear Receiver
Notes: This one is notable because it tells us that Irwindale location must have come after the LA location.  Takes effort to restamp an oopsie like that and Irwindale had been distinct from LA since it was incorporated in 1957.
It appears that the Irwindale location was:

--- Quote ---Glnic Corporation Of America
16013 Foothill Boulevard 
Irwindale, CA 91706
Phone: 626-812-8910
--- End quote ---


* GLNIC #6, GLNIC Corporation of America out of Irwindale, California:


MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
GLNIC. L.A. CA. IRWINDALE. CA<right front receiver>
SKS 7.62x39MM <likely on left rear receiver>
Type: Hand Engraving
Location: Right Front Receiver / Left Rear Receiver
Notes: A hand etched oopsie fix.  This one for a Norinco gun instead of a CGA.


* INTERSTATE #1, Interstate Arms Corporation out of Billerica, Massachusetts:

INTERSTATE ARMS BILLERICA, MA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front/Rear Receiver
Notes: See Valley Gun for some history on this company.


* INTERSTATE #2, Interstate Arms Corporation out of Billerica, Massachusetts:

Made In China 7.62 x 39
INTERSTATE ARMS Billerica, MA.
Type: Etch/Engraving
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes:


* INTERSTATE #3, Interstate Arms Corporation out of Billerica, Massachusetts:


INTERSTATE ARMS BILLERICA, MA.
Type: Stamping
Location: Left Mid Receiver
Notes: This is a really interesting one.  The opposite side of the receiver has a CSI #2 import stamp with all the relevant caliber, manufacturer, and model information stamped in the exact same font.  Valley Gun and IAC have obvious relationships as outlined in the  Valley Gun entry below, but it appears that CSI and IAC had some sort of relationship as well. 


* INTERSTATE #4 (IAC), Interstate Arms Corporation out of Billerica, Massachusetts:

I  A  C   BILLERICA  MA
Type: Etch/Engraving
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: IAC is still in business as IAC Imports


* IAIE, Inter-American Import-Export Company out of Sacrament, California:

SKS 7.62x39MM
SHAANXI CHINA
IAIE, SCRA, CA
Type: Etching
Location: Right Front Receiver
Notes: This company has been called "Import Arms Co." (IA CO) in some circles, "Inter-American Import Co." (IAI), "Inter-American Import-Export Co." (IAIE), Old Sacramento Armory, and Pacific International Import Co....My research shows them to all be companies run by the same man: Edward Faust out of Sacramento, CA.  A user named Fede from the International Ammunition Association forum personally knew the guy they called "Fast Eddie" and put together this very nice post:

--- Quote from: Fede @ http://www.iaaforum.org/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=18022 ---This was one of a long and somewhat confusing list of companies owned by Edward Louis Faust between 1958 and 2008, all of them located in a small area of Sacramento, California.
He was born on April 13, 1938 and as early as 1958 started doing business as Faust Military Ordnance, Box 8022, Sacramento 18, California.
This trade name was used until late 1962 and on January 9, 1963 he established Western Military Arms Corp. at 1609 "E" Street. The latest ads I have from this company date from 1966.
During 1967 he advertised as Inter-American Export Co., Box 8022, Sacramento, CA 95818, but it seems that this was a trade name and not a real company. Also, during the same time he traded from the same address as Inter-American Import-Export Co., and by 1973 the address of this last company changed to 2416 16th Street, Sacramento, CA 95818 (only 1 1/2 mile from the previous one).
Then, as early as 1972 he started trading as Pacific International Import Co., also from the latter address. This trade name and address was used as late as December, 1977.
On January 13, 1972 he established Old Sacramento Armoury, Inc. at 2215 "J" Street, Sacramento, CA 95816, also very close from the other ones. At this same address, on March 9, 1973 he established Pacific International Merchandising Corp., which lasted until at least 1989.
On February 8, 1977, he established New Helvetia Mercantile Corp. (NHMCo), doing business as New Helvetia Trade Group, and on September 19, 1980 he also established Alpha America Trade Group Ltd. In both cases, their address was 2215 "J" Street.
Finally, on October 28, 1993, he established GFCC Corp., also at the same address as above. His long lasting company was Old Sacramento Armoury, which closed its doors late in 2007. Ed Faust died on May 4, 2013.
--- End quote ---
The thing that really jumps out of this one is that New Helvetia Mercantile Corp. (NHM) is the same NHM that imported Russian SKS's in the '91-'94 timeframe. dance2
Much of the info in his post is verifiable via the California Secretary of State Business search webpages too.
A final thing of interest on this gun is the Shaanxi exporter.  Not very many of those around at all.


* IA CO #1, IA Co. out of Sacramento, California:

IACO SAC CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Unknown portion of Barrel
Notes: See IAIE.  There is likely other information stamped on this gun in another location.  Not enough info here for a valid import stamp I think.  California Secretary of state entity number is C1530306


* IA CO #2, IA Co. out of Sacramento, California:

7.62-SKS MADE IN CHINA
IACO, SAC, CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Mid Receiver
Notes: See IAIE.


* IO #1, Inter Ordinance Inc. out of Monroe, North Carolina:

I.O. INC.,MONROE, NC
M.56, 7.62x39, CHINA
Type: Pin Punch
Location: Right Barrel between FSB and gas block
Notes: This is the First quarter 2013 applied import stamp.  All these guns will be Sino-Banians.


* IO #2, IO Inc. out of Palm Bay, Florida:

I.O. INC. PALM BAY FL
M.56 7.62x39 CHINA
Type: Pin Punch
Location: Right Barrel between FSB and Gas Block
Notes: This stamp appears on guns imported in 3Q 2013.  Besides witnessing buyers of all these imports show up on gun forums across the web (as well as buying a few myself!), we have evidence like this directly from IO themselves:

--- Quote from: http://www.ioinc.us ---I.O.INC, the reborn Inter Ordnance,

Relocated in summer 2013 to Florida.  With the transition to the Space Coast, we have been able to hire top quality engineers and assembly personnel, who worked before for NASA and defense contractors.  I.O. has invested heavily in new production and manufacturing equipment, as well as training policies and procedures for both assembly and customer service, in order to provide the highest quality manufacturing and service.  Many members of our manufacturing team have also served our country in the armed forces.
--- End quote ---


* IO #3, IO Inc. out of Palm Bay, Florida:

IO INC,PALM BAY,FL
M56 7.62X39 CHINA
Type: Pin Punch
Location: Right Barrel between FSB and gas block
Notes: These guns were imported in 2Q 2014.  The last of the IOs that I've been able to track via import stamp.  Like the two predecessors, these were all Sino-Banians.


* JPE #1, J's Pacific Enterprise Inc. out of Pasadena, California:

NORINCO SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
JPE PAS CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: See JPE #3


* JPE #2, J's Pacific Enterprise Inc. out of Pomona, California:

SKS 7.62X39MM
JPE POMONA CA
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: See JPE #3


* JPE #3, J's Pacific Enterprise Inc. out of Pomona, California:

JPE POMONA. CA SKS 7.62 MADE IN CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: How do I know JPE = J's Pacific?  The California Secretary of State says so!  From their information, it looks like this one was last filed in Jan, 1990 with an address at 2755 Thompson Creek Road in Pomona by William Lin.  Odd thing is, K-Sports address is also 2755 Thompson Creek Road in Pomona by William Lin.  How very incestuous the relationship between all these importers in California seems to be!


* KFS #1, Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

KFS ATL GA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: KFS is a neat company.  Many on the web incorrectly state that KFS was involved in illegal arms trading during "Operation Dragonfire".  Not true!  Poly USA / PTK was the entity that got busted in March 1996 for illegally shipping fully automatic AKs into the US.  KFS is still in business at http://kfsindustries.com/, they have good information there about the start of the company in 1985 by David Keng.  Interesting to note that they have assumed sale of the "Poly Technologies" brand and indeed it is now a division within the KFS umbrella.  It's likely there is some involvement with the old Poly USA if nothing more than KFS assuming old assets after the ringleaders went to prison and the company folded. 
What is shown in the photo is the extent of the stamp.  There is no additional information such as country of origin or caliber anywhere else on this carbine.  This one is seen on /416\ Public Security guns and per the Keng's official certificate obtainable via their website for a fee, it is known that a /416\ public security gun bearing this exact stamp was imported in October, 1987 (hat tip to fenceline for going out and ordering the official Keng's certificate!  thumb1) 


* KFS #2, Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

KFS ATL GA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: A bit smaller font than the previous KFS stamp.  This one is seen on /416\ & [0141] Public Security guns.


* KFS #3, Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

KFS ATL GA SKS 7.62mm CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Bottom of Barrel between Gas Block and Stock Ferrule
Notes:


* KFS #4, Keng’s Firearms Specialty, Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

KFS ATL GA      MADE IN CHINA      SKS 7.62x39
Type: Stamp
Location: Bottom of Barrel Between Gas Block and Stock Ferrule
Notes: Likely the last of the KFS stamps.


* KSI #1, K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pasadena, California:

SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
KSI PAS. CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: I think this is the first KSI stamp due to the lack of “Norinco” in the stamp.  See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* KSI #2, K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pasadena, California:

SKS 7.62X39mm MADE IN CHINA
K.S.I. PAS-CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Mid Receiver
Notes: Interesting early stamp.  Unusual City/State abbreviation as well.  See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* KSI #3, K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pasadena, California:

NORINCO SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
KSI PAS. CA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* KSI #4, K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pomona, California:

NORINCO SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
KSI POMONA, CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes: See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* KSI #5, K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pomona, California:

NORINCO SKS 7.62x39 CHINA
KSI POMONA, CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Besides being on the opposite side of the receiver, this stamp is different than KSI #2 in that the 'X" in "7.62X39" is lowercase.  Otherwise, this stamp looks identical to #2.  See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* KSI #6, K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pomona, California:

SKS 7.62x39 MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO KSI POMONA CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear receiver
Notes: See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* KSI #7 K-Sports Imports Inc. out of Pomona, California:

SKS 7.62x39 MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO KSI POMONA CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Might be an identical stamp to KSI #4, but it's on the Left side of the receiver and the font certainly looks different to me.  See the notes for JPE for the scoop on these guys.


* LABANU #1, Labanu Inc. out of Ronkonkoma, New York:

LABANU INC RONKONKOMA NY    MADE IN CHINA
BY NORINCO SKS 762X39
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Labanu was last located at 114 Old Country Rd, Mineola, NY 11501.  According to NY state records, the initial DOS Filing Date was 11/27/1991 and dissolution occurred 08/25/1999.


* LABANU #2, Labanu Inc. out of Ronkonkoma, New York:

SKS 762X39    MADE IN CHINA   BY NORINCO
LABANU INC     RONKONKOMA NY
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:


* LABANU #3, Labanu Inc. out of Ronkonkoma, New York:

LABANU INC, RONKONKOMA, NY
SKS SEMI AUTO, 7.62X39MM
MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Rear Receiver
Notes:


* Ming Long Co, ?? out of Napa, California:
MING LONG CO, NAPA, CA
Type: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Notes: I have no photo of this stamp.  Appears to be a very early import.


* NA, Navy Arms out of Ridgefield, New Jersey:

N.A. Co.
RIDGEFIELD, N.J.  7.62mm  CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: According to their flyers they sold "Standard SKS Type 56" carbines along with the Farmer's Friend, Sharpshooter, Paratroopers etc. found in the commercial section. 


* POLY (PTK) #1, PTK International Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

SKS 7.62X39 CHINA   NORINCO   P.T.K. INT’L ATL.GA.
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: From what I can find on PTK, it is the original Poly Technologies company formed 05/071987 and dissolved on 08/06/1996.  Registered agent was Claude C Collins and the address was 945 E PACES FERRY RD NE # 1725, ATLANTA, GA.  Interesting portion is that some of the principal officers were "CEO" Da Xie Tong located in China: BLDG 19 17TH FLOOR, BEIJING CHINA, GA, 30319, USA and "Secretary" Bao Ping Ma in Atlanta in the US.  Certainly looks like the Polytech front company that internet lore is full of, here's a biased article that probably has some fact mixed in with all the fiction here.  Another LA Times article (not sure this one is any less biased) is here.  A n old Time article is here as well.
The actual Georgia secretary of state filings can be found here.


* POLY #2, Poly USA Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

SKS 7.62X39 NORINCO CHINA POLY USA ATL GA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Formed on 06/04/1992, dissolved on 05/11/1994.  The Georgia secretary of state filing is here  It's abundandly clear with the same physical address and 2 of the 3 officers the same as PTK, that this company was either a continuation of PTK or some kind of shell company residing in the same building. 


* POLY #3, Poly USA Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

SKS 7.62X39 NORINCO CHINA POLY U.S.A. ATL. GA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes:   


* POLY #4, Poly USA Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia:

SKS 7.62X39  MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO POLY USA ATL GA
Type: Stamp/Etching
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Very sharp looking stamp with decidedly different text than the other Poly guns.  Likely very late import batch here.


* SAMCO, Samco Global Arms out of Miami, Florida:

SAMCO MIA FL
SKS 7.62X39 CHINA
Type: Stamp
Location: Bottom of Barrel between FSB and gas block.
Notes: Samco recently went belly up in 2015.  See Samco Global Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for a good read.


* TGI #1, Tennessee Gun International out of Knoxville, Tennessee:

SKS 7.62x39 JIANSHE CHINA TGI KNOX TN
Type: Pin Punch
Location: Left/Bottom of Barrel between FSB and gas block
Notes: These are the early TGI Sino-Banian batch from 1Q 2014.


* TGI #2, Tennessee Gun International out of Knoxville, Tennessee:

SKS 7.62x39 JIANSHE
CHINA TGI KNOX TN
Type: Pin Punch
Location: Left/Bottom of Barrel between FSB and gas block
Notes: Second wave of Sino-Banians that arrived 4Q 2014.


* TRIDENT, Trident Arms Corp. out of City of Commerce, California:

SKS 7.62X39MM XINSHIDAI CHINA
TRIDENT ARMS CO. COMMERCE CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Rear Receiver
Notes: Trident is a company started by Edward Lee in 1993 at 500 Citadel Drive Commerce, CA.  Occupying this address is a lawyer by the name of Lee & Associates, I wonder if it's the same guy or maybe a family member? 


* TRIDENT, Trident Arms Corp. out of Vernon, California:

SKS 7.62X39 NORINCO, CHINA TRIDENT ARMS CO. VERNON CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front/Rear Receiver
Notes: Just down the 710 from Commerce is Vernon.  I suspect this is a later batch of guns based on the import stamp. 


* VG #1, Valley Gun Distributors Inc. out of Los Angeles, California:

CHINA 7.62X39
VALLEY GVN LA CA
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: This stamp is on a 1988 late build.  My continued searches finally turned up something for this importer!  This is a company that was located at 18526 Parthenia St., Northridge, CA 91324.  The really interesting thing about this one is that the main officer’s name in charge is Martin Arnstein who also ran National Gun Sales, Inc. out of the exact same Parthenia address.  To add additional intrigue to this, a Martin Arnstein also turns up in Billerica, MA.  If you think back to what was located in Billerica you realize that it’s IAC!  And a search confirms that Martin Arnstein was the director for Interstate Arms Corp. at 6 Dunham Rd., Unit G Billerica, MA 01821.  Additional entities operating out of the same address by Mr. Arnstein were Ivanhoe Sports Center, Inc., National Arms Corporation, and last but not least, Northeast Gun and Supply Co., Inc.  Sweet!


* VG #2, Valley Gun Distributors Inc. out of Los Angeles, California:

CHINA 7.62X39 VALLEY GUN LA CA 91324
Type: Stamp
Location: Left Front Receiver
Notes: Distinctly different stamp than VG #1, this time with a proper U.  This is the only import stamp I’ve ever seen with a zip code in the stamp.


* WTC, WTC?? out of Birmingham, Alabama:

CHINA        W.T.C.
                           B'HAM AL
Type: Stamp
Location: Right Front/Rear Receiver
Notes: Not able to find much on this one at all.  If you're familiar with them, any help would be appreciated.
 
Photos from various auction sites and internet postings are used under 17 U.S. Code § 107, fair use, not for profit educational purposes.  If any of the photos in this post are yours and you explicitly do not want them shown, please contact me.

Power Surge:
Do you need pics off any of my commercials?

Loose}{Cannon:
I knew it was a bunch, but...  :o

Nice work dude. 

Phosphorus32:

--- Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on January 24, 2016, 12:38:02 AM ---I knew it was a bunch, but...  :o

Nice work dude.

--- End quote ---

+100

Holy horse shingles batman  :o  :))

running-man:

--- Quote from: Power Surge on January 24, 2016, 12:31:48 AM ---Do you need pics off any of my commercials?

--- End quote ---

I figured we'd stick the commercials in the commercial section under their own thread.  I know XXXSKS has many (if not most) of them covered in the guide.  Putting them all on one page is a nice quick reference thought.  Any photos you have are going to be a great help as I only have a few I think.  thumb1

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