SKS-FILES FORUM

SKS Carbines => Unaltered SKS Rifles => Chinese SKS (Military) => Topic started by: running-man on October 16, 2014, 01:04:12 AM

Title: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on October 16, 2014, 01:04:12 AM
A: This is by far the most commonly asked question.  Unfortunately, the real answer is

“Nobody but the Chinese know with 100% certainty, and they aren’t talking.”

Based on countless hours of research, the viewing of hundreds of different rifles with different arsenal stamps, different serial number designations, and most importantly, different feature sets we think we have an answer, so let’s give it our best try.   Please note this list isn’t gospel, is it just our interpretation based on our observations.  Also note that we are one year different from EVERYONE else on the net.  We have a very good reason for doing this and have proof to back it up.  If you think you see a glaring error, please post up and let’s discuss it.

Please feel free to reply to this post, but also note that all replies & banter will eventually be deleted as they are discussed to keep this thread as clean as possible.

The easy ones:


Now, you’re probably saying, “These SKS-Files guys don’t know jack.  Everybody on the net knows that the date code on a /26\ gun reads:

1956 + millions digit = year of manufacture!!!!”

In my years of collecting, I have never seen any hard proof that says this is the case!  Many experts proclaim this, and every site on the net that even superficially deals with SKSs has rumblings that this is the date formula, but why?!  It seems that this is simply a case of one idea getting regurgitated over and over again, gaining more ‘truth’ the more often it’s repeated.  Proof for this dating scheme is severely lacking. 

It has been mentioned that there are Vietnam captured guns with papers that give us a floor that say a 12 million /26\ series gun cannot have come later than 1971, but this really does not tell us that the 1956 + millions idea of dating is correct, only that it is somewhat close. 

We like to see more substantial proof than “XYZ says so” here at SKS-Files.  It is abundantly clear that the very first Chinese Type 56 carbines produced for China were the 0001 to ~2000 Soviet-Sino Type 56 carbines.  These carbines are characterized by the four digit serial numbers within the 0001 to 2000 spread, a conspicuous Tula star stamped on the left side of the receiver to the far right of the S/N, a long barrel lug, “V” shaped bayonet cutout in the front stock ferrule, and numerous Russian approval and process stamps located on all components throughout the carbine.  The original stocks on these carbines appear to be made of the same hardwood used on Russian SKS 45s.  Common consensus is that these carbines were produced in very early to mid 1956.  Indeed, the Soviet Union adopted the Tula star stamped SKS 45 receivers with the introduction of their “Д” serial suffixed guns in 1956!  It is unknown whether these “trial” guns were actually produced in the USSR with Chinese observers taking detailed production notes, or whether they were produced in China using all Russian supplied hardware with direct Russian technical help.

Production immediately went into full swing with the “Ghost” guns.  These carbines are almost identical to the Soviet-Sinos with some notable differences.  These carbines do not have near as many Russian approval and process stamps on components indicating less hand holding by the Soviets.  The stocks on these carbines appear to have a somewhat different wood type than was used in Russian SKS 45s.  And finally, these carbines range from S/N ~2000 to ~213700 for a production run of approximately 212,000 carbines.    Based on the Soviet-Sino production, it would appear that these truly domestically produced carbines were produced in the latter half of 1956 through at latest early 1957.  The Chinese themselves often refer to their domestic built SKS carbine as the “Type 56 and a half” carbine. 

In 1957 we know something special happened at Jianshe arsenal in China:
Quote from: http://www.jianshetrade.com/wm/en/AboutUs.aspx?id=4&tag=tag4
In April 1957, the second factory became state-owned and was renamed Jianshe Machine Tool Factory.
At around S/N 213700, we notice a very substantial change in Chinese SKS rifle production: the triangle 26 (denoted as /26\ here at SKS-Files) stamp first appears.  The timing of these two events could be purely coincidental, but it would seem that tying them together would make sense as the new government run factory would now have different protocols for marking firearms than the “privately” owned factory previously did.  These rifles, for all intents and purposes, are identical to the ghost guns in all features.  The six digit /26\ guns continued until around S/N 325,000, giving a run of approximately 197,000 carbines.  It is surmised that the six digit /26\ guns were made after the April 1957 government takeover of Jianshe.  This would mean that they are all 1957 guns.

As the six digit /26\ carbines continued to come off the line, the Chinese decided to make yet another change.  It is known that in T53 production, the Chinese switched from an progressing alphanumeric S/N (AXXXXXX) early on, to a simple progressing all numeric S/N like they used with the ghost and six-digit /26\ guns.  Later in T53 production, they changed a third time to a millions placeholder system where the millions digit changed as the year of manufacture changed.  Finally in 1960, they changed a fourth time back to a 4 numeral progressing alphanumeric with a /26\ stamp.  Luckily for us, the Chinese actually labeled their T53s with the manufacture date so we can directly correlate S/N changes and see what they did and when they did it.  With the Type 56 SKS, we don’t have a date stamp, but we can assume that they did similar things at similar times with their numbers systems.  Unfortunately, this comparison puts us at odds with the most commonly accepted 1956 + millions = year of manufacture guesstimate that is so prolific around the web.  The T53 system of numbering actually went like this:

6/1953 to 12/1953: A000001 thru A62000.
1954: 1,000,001 thru 1,305,000.
Early 1955: 1,305,000 thru 1,402,000.
Late 1955: 3,000,001 thru 3,330,000.
1956: 4,000,001 thru 4,063,000.
1960: Letter series: A0001 thru perhaps K9999, with a distinct /26\ stamp.

which indicates that they experimented with 4 different styles of part numeration.  The 1953 guns have a special symbol immediately after the S/N that is a Chinese “Shi” character: .  This character is often translated to mean “test” or “experiment” and the 1953 rifles are often called “trials” rifles.  In 1954, the S/N designation changed to a simple rolling 1 million prefix number that continued from ’54 through the early parts of 1955.  By late 1955 is where things get really interesting, they jump to a 3 million prefix and reset the main block of numbers back to 000001.  In 1956, they again jump the prefix to 4 million and reset the main block of numbers back to 000001.  They are clearly attempting to designate some type of special meaning to the millions place on these T53s.  It appears they are designating the millions placeholder to indicate the “nth” year of production.  Had they kept this ‘standard’ S/N system throughout production, 1953 would have been the 1st year of production (1 million), 1954 would have been 2nd (2 million), 1955 was the 3rd year of production (3 million), 1956 was the 4th year (4 million), and so on.

The odd S/N method restarted in 1960 has been theorized by T53 collectors to have been a specific contract of T53 rifles purposefully made for North Vietnam.  It is interesting to note that the /26\ mark shows up in 1960, but not in 1956 which is entirely consistent with the major ownership changes at Jianshe in 1957.

Back to the T56 SKSs, it seems the Chinese only half-heartedly started the millions = a new year of manufacture on their SKSs.  Instead of rolling the main digit back to 000001, they continued with a rolling S/N from the six digit /26\ guns directly into the 2 million series, proceeding from S/N ~348,000 to S/N ~2,350,000.  If they followed the same numbering system that they used for T53s in 1956, these 2 million series T56 SKS carbines should be 1957 (2nd year) produced guns as well!!  The one major ding I see in this dating system is that the Chinese had to have produced the latter portions of the ghost guns, all the six digit /26\ guns, and all the 2 million /26\ guns in the same year.  This equals more than 203,000 SKS carbines in their second year of SKS production.  This may not be as far fetched as it seems since we know the Chinese are thought to have produced more than 300,000 T53s in 1954, their second year of production and a whopping 440,000 T53 carbines in 1955, only their third year of T53 production!!  They obviously became proficient at mass production of these armaments very rapidly  We know that they had extensive help from the USSR to produce these weapons and the need was exceedingly great to adequately arm the PLA after the Korean War exposed the many Chinese supply and logistics weaknesses.

The 88 to 94 marked guns are very clearly 1988 to 1994 guns built specifically for export to foreign markets.  Most of the special purpose guns such as the AK magazine accepting ones, were obviously new manufacture as described in the list above. 


The slightly harder ones:

(This list is by no means complete; more will be added as they are discovered.)


If you look at the bulleted list of the mostly /26\ guns in the previous section, you’ll notice that there is a huge empty spot from 1970 through 1977 at the /26\ factory.  Did the Chinese suddenly stop producing Type 56 SKSs?  What about all the other triangle, rectangle, diamond, and oval arsenals, where do they fit in the grand scheme of things?  The Chinese were pretty meticulous with their /26\ Type 56 and even their Type 53’s.  It is highly unlikely that they would totally drop their tracking system w/o replacing it with something else. 

Based on numerous examples, we believe that with the higher output factories, they simply continued using their original system of S/Ns.  The image below shows an example of this continuation of the millions digit = “nth” year of production numbering system.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/230109xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 1: An example of a 23 million (23rd year of production = 1978) gun with a non /26\ stamp.  This gun has all “late” features including a pressed and pinned barrel, two piece gas tube, and stamped & spot-welded trigger group.


The harder ones:

(This list is by no means complete; more will be added as they are discovered.)


Why do we say the “higher output factories” in the above section?  The answer is that there are many lower output factories that also produced rifles in this time period.  Where the large arsenals could easily crank out 100 thousand rifles a year, it appears that the lower output factories struggled to produce even 10 thousand rifles over the course of a year.  The Chinese learned that they did not need the hundred thousands placeholder in the serial numbers of guns produced at low output factories.  The Chinese are nothing if not efficient, they realized that stamping an extra “0” on all the serialized components was a huge waste of time, so they simply dropped the hundred thousand, and sometimes even the ten thousand placeholder digit!  Therefore, on some of the smaller factories, it is not the millions placeholder that is important, it is the first two digits that tell the “nth” year of production.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/18024xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 2: An example of a “1.8” million gun that in reality designates the 18th year of production (1973).  This gun has all “late” features including a pressed and pinned barrel, spike bayonet, and late style front sight assembly.


The really hard ones:

(This list is by no means complete; more will be added as they are discovered.)


So by now, if you’re really paying attention, you should have recognized something about every Type 56 made by the Chinese since they started the 2 million series back in 1957: on datable guns, the serial number on the receiver always contains more digits than the most other S/N’s stamped components throughout the gun.  A four, five, or six digit number is sufficient to keep the important numbered parts matched with the gun during manufacture, but time is saved by not having to stamp the entire S/N 6 times per gun. 

Based on many examples we have seen of mismatched fonts, extra spacing, varying strike depth, misalignment, and the general ‘differentness’ of the “nth” year of production codes, it is clear that the codes are stamped after the main four, five, or six digit S/N is applied sometime during the production of the weapon.  Now, we know that certain Chinese Type 56 guns imported in the late 80’s through early 90’s sport a very distinct 88-94 S/N prefix as shown below.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/88009xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 3: An example of an “88” prefixed gun.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/89026xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 4: An example of an “89” prefixed gun.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/90019xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 5: An example of a “90” prefixed gun.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/91136xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 6: An example of a “91” prefixed gun.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/92054xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 7: An example of a “92” prefixed gun.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/93710xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 8: An example of a “93” prefixed gun.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/94634xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 9: An example of a “94” prefixed gun.

The question now becomes: “Did the Chinese use this method of dating guns prior to the late 80s?”  The simple answer is, yes.  The Chinese appear to have used this method of attaching the “YY” prefix extensively at certain factories in the early to mid 70’s.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/74001xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 10: An example of a “74” prefixed gun that clearly has a distinct space between the date stamp and the main portion of the serial number.

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7509xx_closeup.jpg)
Figure 11: An example of a “75” prefixed gun.  The year prefix on this specimen is very well aligned with the rest of the serial number.  This gun has a short lug, late style rear sight block, cast gas port, late front sight assembly, and 2 piece gas tube.



As more information comes into the Comprehensive Chinese SKS Survey, we will hopefully be able to update this list with additional S/N blocks of non /26\ arsenal guns.

-RM

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.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on October 16, 2014, 09:21:41 AM
Running man and I have discussed this year allocation for a long time now.  We found a few flaws in the 6digi and 2m serial data giving us a false illusion.  In reality, the 6digi serials rolled directly into the 2m serials. 

Loose-Cannon fully supports this message, and will be editing everything associated with it in the next few days.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on October 16, 2014, 09:57:25 AM
Feel free to challenge anything in the first post guys.  Like I said, it's not gospel.  Heck I may even have a severe year typo (posted this at 11 PM last night) or something especially egregious that needs fixing. 

Also if you've got an oddball gun, say one that has a spike bayo but is an 8 million /26\, post it up!  There's nothing to say the Chinese didn't experiment with certain changes before they went to full fledged production. 

We learn from our mistakes, RM is not always right (even though he likes to think he is!)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on October 16, 2014, 10:16:51 PM
In addition to RMs OP, There is another issue to address.

Since there is no evidence the /26\ stamp indicates Jan 1st 1957, but rather April 1957 with state ownership and actually naming the factory Jianshe. We have a number of 6digit Ghost guns that are actually 1957 rifles.

Estimated 425k produced in 56 and 57 combined from serial data gives us an avg of 17.7k per month. Jan, Feb, and march means 17.7x3= 53.1k rifles off the 213k total non /26\ "ghosts" leaves us at 160k.

160,000 serial ghost is the estimated threshold for classifying a 56 or a 57 ghost.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on October 17, 2014, 12:05:18 AM
Slight correction to the above....  2k of the total is the Soviet Sinos, and 2.422m is the actual picture verified 2m.  small tweek in numbers because Im anal like that.   :)


1955/56: "test run" of Soviet Sinos, ~ 2k guns
1956: non-/26\ marked (ghosts, sterile) ~160k guns
1957: non-/26\ marked (ghosts, sterile) ~51k guns
1957: six digit /26\, ~112k guns
1957: 2 mil /26\, ~97k guns
1958: 3 mil /26\, ~215k guns
1959/60: Letter prefix /26\, possibly up to ~360k guns (360k guns would indicate two years worth of production)
1961: 6 mil
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on October 29, 2014, 12:18:40 AM
I've updated the main post with current information on the non /26\ arsenal dating.  Much of it has come as a direct result of the survey (yay we're seeing results!). 

I think the non /26\ 18 to 29 million series are rock solid.  The 1.3 to 2.3 million series are also relatively solid as every S/N I've seen has been a eerily low number away from 0's, with very few even topping X,X10,000.  The Chinese certainly knew the limitations on the smaller arsenals and what to expect out of them production wise. 

The '70 - '76 marked rifles I was a bit less certain of, but that <0203> example I show in the post has pretty much sealed the deal for me. 

There is one final series of rifles that I'll be looking at, these have giant 70, 71, 72, etc. numbers before the "5 6 Type" Chinese characters with odd 300k S/Ns.  It appears that these are likely date stamps as well with maybe a simple rolling S/N, but I want to do more research before I conclude my findings.

-RM
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Dannyboy53 on October 29, 2014, 12:49:49 AM
Thank you running-man, this is great!
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Justin Hell on October 29, 2014, 10:25:40 AM
I really like where this is going!

I am curious, about the 1.5 million 1970 /26\ guns...do they have any unusual features compared to other /26\ guns?  Specifically, do they share a similar font style to the serials on the other 1 million series non /26\ guns?

When do pinned barrels make their first appearance?  I ask because according to this latest theory, my 1.6 is a 1971 and is my only pinned barrel Chinese.  Could it be the newer serial types appeared when the pinned barrel did, and /26\ complied with the new convention for its limited run in 1970 when the other factories had just gotten started?

OR....

Could it be that leftover parts from 1969 /26\'s were sent off for final assembly to one of the newer factories, already stamped /26\ but stamped with the new serial system after assembly?   It seems to make sense that serializing would happen after assembly, chasing down like numbered parts would be a pain, and likely would yield many more mismatch guns when parts could not be located.  Whereas if the (TYPE 56) /insert factory here\ was stamped as the receivers were made, it is plausible that the above parts to assembly scenario would make sense.  It seems like it would be silly for these leftover parts to make them revert back to the /26\ serial system for a limited run, when everything else said factory would be making would receive the new system.

Whew, I hope you can make sense of that...it makes sense to me, but I just woke up.

Thank you for all your research and effort towards this, it seems like you might be on to something here!  :)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on October 29, 2014, 11:59:25 AM
FYI: I split the photos of Justin's unusual 9 mil /26\ into it's own thread.  We can get more feedback there while this thread stays clean.

The 1.5 mil /26\s I've seen are pretty 'standard' for that date.  They have short threaded barrel lugs (/26\ did not produce pressed and pinned barrels in my opinion), late version bayo lugs, late series rear sight blocks, stamped & spot welded trigger groups, and stocks with side swivels & .200" wide by .250" high font.

I don't have a clear photo of a gas block to know whether it is milled or cast, the gas tube to know whether it's two piece or one (I assume two, or the magazine internals to know if it's early or late.    What I'd really like is a good 14 million series to compare it to….

Pinned barrels seem to come no later than 1970, and I think could possibly be from '68.  The interesting thing to me is that they seemed to have initially come from the small production arsenals which is pretty logical when you really think about it: Prototyping a new design eventually leads to mass production. 

I think they had to stamp the components parts at time of assembly & fittment, not necessarily when the individual parts were mass produced.  You simply had to match bolt to receiver as proper operation is too important and the tolerances too sloppy to not to get those correct.  The prefix on all receivers were most certainly stamped after the gun was completely assembled.  I don't know about the arsenal stamps and whether they were done before or after.  I'd suspect after, as they may have been used as a final quality control stamp of approval before the gun was crated and sent out (that's what I'd use them for anyhow). 

Still lots of unanswered questions out there.  I'd appreciate any challenges to what's been posted.  I think there will be exceptions as I've got examples of guns that simply don't fit the narrative.  The DB guns, DP, certain M21s, 0406b's, and very late scrubbed parts guns most certainly, but I also have seen others that are just bizarre… 

Are they oddballs?  Misstamped?  Does the hypothesis need tweaking?  All good things to think about. 
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Power Surge on October 29, 2014, 07:00:28 PM
Very interesting....

Using this new theory, and then looking at my small list of 406b guns (pasted below), it does seem to make sense.....

The two guns with pinned barrels are both 18xxxxx serials. Those are the latest product rifles of what I've gathered so far. They also both have stamped trigger groups. With this new info, they would be 1973s.

My newest 406b gun is a 16xxxxx serial, and it has a short lug barrel but a stamped trigger. That should be a 1971.

The 15xxxxx guns have short lug barrels, but milled triggers. Should be 1970.

Going off that...

1970 - short lug, milled trigger.
1971 - short lug, stamped trigger.
1973 - pinned barrel, stamped trigger.

Does that pattern match what you've seen production wise in the survey and other arsenal guns?

All the serials I've collected below are from 15xxxx-18xxxx, except ONE 11xxxxx. I am not sure where that one even fits in this new theory.

Thoughts?



1-11001XX (no suffix) Importer: Labanu Inc. Short lug, "D" rear sight mark.
2-1603208 (no suffix) (my gun) Importer: CSI ONT CA. Sort lug, stamped trigger, "D" rear sight mark.
2-18053XX  G suffix AFTER stamp. Importer unknown.
3-18061XX  G suffix AFTER stamp. Importer unknown.
Both above guns posted by same person.
3-1806XXX  G suffix AFTER stamp. Importer: Poly USA, pinned barrel, stamped trigger.
3-17069XX  F suffix AFTER stamp. Importer: Poly USA, "D" rear sight mark
5-17154XX (no suffix) -this gun is interesting...it's looks like it's been well battle used, and has no importer mark.
6-17152XX, Poly USA, with the letter stamp "E" after the arsenal mark
6-18156XX (has a C BEFORE the 6 prefix) no other info
8-1517XXX (suffix and importer unknown, no pics posted). Short lug, "D" rear sight mark, ground off bayo lug.
9-1519777 L  (my gun) Importer: Poly USA. Short lug barrel, "D" rear sight mark, ground off bayo lug.
11-15XXXX (has weird symbol suffix) Importer unknown, Short lug, "D" rear sight mark.
? - 1514588 L (can't see prefix, no other pics)
10-18283XX (no suffix) - another one that looks like it's been well battle used, and has no importer mark. Pinned barrel, stamped trigger, "3" rear sight mark.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on October 29, 2014, 07:27:46 PM
I don't know about the 0406b's PS.  Those guys are real oddballs, that's why I specifically named them and the M21's, DB's etc in this post.  I would be wary of trying to force a gun into a timeframe where it really may not be warranted because they are so different.

Still lots of unanswered questions out there.  I'd appreciate any challenges to what's been posted.  I think there will be exceptions as I've got examples of guns that simply don't fit the narrative.  The DB guns, DP, certain M21s, 0406b's, and very late scrubbed parts guns most certainly, but I also have seen others that are just bizarre… 


You have more info on the 0406b's than I do, that's for certain.  It's interesting if the guns show some sort of component progression according to S/N, but I agree it's probably a stretch to assume that the 1,1XX,XXX is an 11th year (1966) gun, though it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.  We have pretty good evidence that the Chinese were using other arsenals besides /26\ at least by 1968, so who is to say that 0406 didn't get started a couple years earlier?  That 1,100,1xx S/N is downright low, maybe it was a very small run of guns to see if the satellite factory concept would even work?  Who knows, all speculation without more data (another 10 or 20 0406b guns would be awesome!), but fun nonetheless.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on October 29, 2014, 07:42:58 PM
Pinned vs threaded is an interesting avenue to investigate, but things like triggers and two piece gastubes etc can be all over the place depending on where they received said components and when. It would also seem some of these very low production locations used new, nos, and full blow recycled scrubbed and force-matched components. Imho, since the shift away from /26\ appears to happen in the 68-70 timeframe, I wouldn't be surprised to find stamped and milled trigger housings on any of them nor would it indicate a timeframe being that /26\ started with them in the 11th year (1966).
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Power Surge on October 29, 2014, 07:50:53 PM
I don't know about the 0406b's PS.  Those guys are real oddballs, that's why I specifically named them and the M21's, DB's etc in this post.  I would be wary of trying to force a gun into a timeframe where it really may not be warranted because they are so different.

Still lots of unanswered questions out there.  I'd appreciate any challenges to what's been posted.  I think there will be exceptions as I've got examples of guns that simply don't fit the narrative.  The DB guns, DP, certain M21s, 0406b's, and very late scrubbed parts guns most certainly, but I also have seen others that are just bizarre… 


You have more info on the 0406b's than I do, that's for certain.  It's interesting if the guns show some sort of component progression according to S/N, but I agree it's probably a stretch to assume that the 1,1XX,XXX is an 11th year (1966) gun, though it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.  We have pretty good evidence that the Chinese were using other arsenals besides /26\ at least by 1968, so who is to say that 0406 didn't get started a couple years earlier?  That 1,100,1xx S/N is downright low, maybe it was a very small run of guns to see if the satellite factory concept would even work?  Who knows, all speculation without more data (another 10 or 20 0406b guns would be awesome!), but fun nonetheless.

One observation I can make about the one 1,1xxxxx gun...the serial stamp font is different than any of the other 0406b serials. It's the same layout...the prefix number, a dash, then the rest of the serial. But the font is more squared off. So maybe it IS an earlier gun?
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on January 08, 2015, 10:36:42 AM
I got a PM the other day from a guy on another board.  He has a KFS imported Type 56 SKS and has done a fine job researching his rifle.  Here is what he sent me after we'd been talking a bit about his rifle:

Quote from: Ron Carter
RM,
When I contacted Polytech, she asked for the serial number of my rifle my rifle (ed: his S/N is 17235xx, arsenal /636\ -RM) and she told me that is was made in 1972 and it was imported in 1987 and part of military surplus.  She told me I could buy the certificate for $50.00.

It's only a single data point of correlation.  But the fact that they called this 1.7 mil, non-/26\ rifle a 1972, and not a 1956 or a 1973 tells me we're on the right track!  thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on January 08, 2015, 12:03:38 PM
When your right.... your right.  Even a blind dog finds a bone once in a while.    OK1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Power Surge on January 08, 2015, 02:56:20 PM
I got a PM the other day from a guy on another board.  He has a KFS imported Type 56 SKS and has done a fine job researching his rifle.  Here is what he sent me after we'd been talking a bit about his rifle:

Quote from: Ron Carter
RM,
When I contacted Polytech, she asked for the serial number of my rifle my rifle (ed: his S/N is 17235xx, arsenal /636\ -RM) and she told me that is was made in 1972 and it was imported in 1987 and part of military surplus.  She told me I could buy the certificate for $50.00.

It's only a single data point of correlation.  But the fact that they called this 1.7 mil, non-/26\ rifle a 1972, and not a 1956 or a 1973 tells me we're on the right track!  thumb1

If only we could have access to what KFS has.... When I talked to them about it....they have some serious info.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: m1911a1.colt on February 10, 2015, 05:43:06 PM
So true. I have a KFS import (pre-ban) it is a beautiful rifle. Looks like it was never issued. It only had a few rounds fired by the original purchaser and I have only fired it to determine function and accuracy (about 6 rounds.)
Also found that cosmoline is still lurking in the tighter nooks and crannies, when I removed the firing pin to identify for the survey I pulled the extractor and spring and found the spring still had some cosmoline residue in it's center.

Function is perfect and accuracy is exceptional from the open sights. I recall reading about the KFS imports for that period... about 6000 rifles? Anyway; the survey here was completed for the project. My thanks to everyone who put this great resource together.

Best Regards

M1911.A1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on February 12, 2015, 01:07:48 AM
I was perusing other boards (*gasp* you mean we're free to do that here?) and found a tantalizing string.  I pulled the string and I think this info needed to be posted.  It's only a small piece of proof, but it falls 100% in line with our dating scheme.  thumb1

I found this image (image courtesy Marstar in Canada):
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_markings.jpg)

Meh, nothing too impressive, the side of an olive green crate.  You're probably saying: "RM, you're wasting my time here, get on with it!"  Ok, let's take a step back and see how the Chinese marked some of their other crates.  This is a crate of 7.62x54R ammo with Albanian (yes Albanian!) script on the outside taken by Stevo @ Milsurp.com.  Notice the three sets of numbers in the bottom left of each crate:

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x54r_albanian_crate.jpg)

And open the 0007 marked crate, and take a look at the two tins inside.  Ah ha, we see some familiar Chinese markings, a very clear 53式 (type) as this 7.62x54R was fabricated for a Type 53 carbine.   We also see the same three numbers 0007, 71, and 68, but this time, arranged a bit differently: 0007-71 and then 3-68:
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x54r_albanian_open_crate.jpg)

Unfortunately, this is where info from this particular crate simply stops.  The poster put up some photos of the ammo inside, but neglected to show the headstamps, darn:
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x54r_albanian_rounds.jpg)

Too bad, I could have put a bow on this post right off the bat, but instead you'll have to simply bear with me through another couple examples.  The following is a different tin of ammo from a different poster (Aeromech @ Calguns).  This is 7.62x39 ammo, but the general markings are somewhat similar.  I see a 0030 & 101 kind of grouped together and a 6-71 also grouped together among all the Chinese:
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x39_2_tin.jpg)

The headstamp of these rounds reads 101 over 71:
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x39_2_headstamp.jpg)

Common consensus around the net (http://www.dave-cushman.net/shot/762x39_cartridge.html) is that the top number in a Chinese headstamp is the factory, and the bottom number is the year, in this case factory 101 ammo produced in 1971.  Interesting, those numbers sure are prominent on the outside of the tins.  Is this somewhat consistent with other ammo tins?

This is other 7.62x39 ammo from Stevo @ Milsurps.com again, and the general markings are different, though it's a bit hard to tell as the tin is in horrible shape with heavy oxidation.  Three numbers stand out, like what was marked on the crate from the 7.62x54R ammo.  These numbers are 0049-69-61:
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x39_tin.jpg)

Opening the tin yields boxes of ammo, and opening the boxes yields this:
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/7_62x39_headstamp.jpg)

Interesting!  The headstamp says that this ammo is from factory 61, produced in 1969. 

So what can I conclude from these simple examples when you see a XXXX-XX-XX(Y) number set on a crate or tin?So what does any of this this have to do with the first green crate photo from above?
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_markings.jpg)

Hmm, 0004-70-256.  Crate #0004, built in 1970, from factory 256.

But what's inside that crate?

:o
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_open.jpg)

:o :o
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_open2.jpg)

:o :o :o
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_open3.jpg)

popcorn1
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_open4.jpg)

nailbite1
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_case_accessories.jpg)

drool2
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_open6.jpg)

pullhair1
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/marstar_crate_open5.jpg)

banana time

Interesting.  These guns are pristine in the original grease!  I'd go so far as to say unissued, and anyone who knows me knows that I never use that term!  I'd be surprised if there’s a gouge or ding in the whole lot.

Crate #0004, built in 1970, from factory 256.
Rifle 1509796 (among other 1.5 mils in the crate, I also have a picture of rifle 1510971), we've always called that mark factory "625"
15 S/N prefix corresponds to the 15th year of production (1970) from our dating hypothesis.  It would appear it matches exceptionally well with the crate markings.  The 256 arsenal is another interesting nugget in there as well.  Very interesting indeed!
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: miner1436 on February 12, 2015, 01:36:56 AM
I have had this theory as well for a while, im going to share a theory that I sent to another top name in the SKS field last February.

   "I have a theory concerning Chinese weapons production. I know that the current theory is that the Chinese had a system where the year of production for major arsenals is represented as a millions + year of adopted design. I know it is impossible to prove, or disprove this, but I have another theory that may be plausible. The Chinese Type 54 TT-33 variant is one of the only cold war era Chinese weapons that was actually dated 19XX. All of the Type 54's I have seen are from state factory 66(626). At first glance one would think they could date the Type 54's the same way as the SKS's, millions + 1954 = date of production.

   This almost works out to be true, but this is always off by one million on every single type 54 I have seen. A 1966 example would have for instance a 13 million serial number(1966-13+1=1954), and a 1959 dated example would have a 6 million serial number(1959-6+1=1954).  I have also never come across, in all my research, a 1 million serialized Chinese SKS or AK, the earliest ak serial number I have found was a 2 million. This makes since though, if factory 626 were to keep serial number consistency across production lines of type 54 pistols, and type 56 ak's, that the off by one date/serial number correspondence holds true. Year 1 = initial year(1956) would be 6 digit numbers/sino soviet markings, year 2 of production=1957 would be 2 million, year 3/1958 =3 million etc... this makes me question the current system of dating Chinese weapons."
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on February 12, 2015, 06:52:53 AM
Outstanding smoking gun RM!

Miner...  we been banging this drum for a while now.  You came to the right place.  :)

Also take a look at the T53. 
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on February 12, 2015, 07:22:00 AM
Also a prime example of why I chose NOT to put a number on some of these arsenals. This 256 should have been in the same catagory... glad I only have to change the # under it.

Until we see what came out of xxx-xx-xxx marked crates, we have no clue as to what order these arsenal stamp #s are supposed to be.

(http://sks-files.com/Themes/1080/images/watered5.jpg)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on February 12, 2015, 09:36:57 AM
I have had this theory as well for a while, 
... this makes me question the current system of dating Chinese weapons."

Very neat Miner!  When two different people who don't know each other come to the same conclusion based on two completely different lines of evidence, let me just say that this, in and of itself, speaks volumes!

I'd be exceptionally grateful if you'd work on a post with some photos of Type 54's describing what you're talking about.  I know next to nothing about Chinese handguns, but it seems to me that the Chinese were way too consistent in the early days to have different dating schemes for each different type of weapon. 

I'm just curious, (you don't have to name the "top name in the field") how was your theory received?  Was it summarily dismissed without any discussion, or did they say they'd look into it and then never reply with hopes you'd quit bugging them?  We go where the evidence points us here at SKS-Files.  The evidence proves me wrong time and time again, and that's the way it should be: learning from our mistakes.  That's what we're all about over here.  thumb1


P.S.  I want to mention that I'm not the first one who came up with a 1970 date and Factory 256 for that crate.  Even though I came to my own conclusion of what the numbers mean in a roundabout way by using similar stampings on ammo crates and tins, user Claven2 from Candiangunnutz.com opined (http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/477440-Attention-SKS-collectors-new-info-Factory-625-from-Marstar?p=4509801#post4509801) both on the date and the 256 factory back in May of 2010 and was thoroughly dismissed by some big name collectors.  While it's true he may not have had the entire answer, only had a single data point, and maybe not much proof to back it up, I believe he had an important part of the answer and it's an absolute travesty that his ideas weren't investigated further because they didn't conform to the XX millions theory...
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on February 12, 2015, 10:40:40 AM
+10   ^^^^^^
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: miner1436 on February 13, 2015, 02:10:01 AM

I'd be exceptionally grateful if you'd work on a post with some photos of Type 54's describing what you're talking about.

Sure, here are some pictures (not of my guns):
Here we have a 1959 dated 6th year production 6.5 million
(http://pictures.gunauction.com/946213703/13147725/dsc_0587.jpg_thumbnail05.jpg)


And here a 1964 dated 11th year production 11.007 million
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e185/GarandFan/DSCN0997_zps3e3f8a35.jpg)

And finally a 1966 dated 13th year production 13.01 million
(http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/573/10489971/img_1975a.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg)

Coincidence that the Xth year of production is placed in front of the serial number? Probably not, but just my opinion.

I'm just curious, (you don't have to name the "top name in the field") how was your theory received?  Was it summarily dismissed without any discussion, or did they say they'd look into it and then never reply with hopes you'd quit bugging them?  We go where the evidence points us here at SKS-Files.  The evidence proves me wrong time and time again, and that's the way it should be: learning from our mistakes.  That's what we're all about over here.  thumb1

I sent the theory to yooperj, he asked if he could share it with some other people and I never heard anything back. It probably wasn't dismissed entirely, just nothing probably came out of it.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on February 13, 2015, 08:20:46 AM
Thats what you call a slam dunk right thar!         clap1

T54...   who woulda thunk it!!     Looks like we (and miner) were right RM.     fart1

Not surprized about yooper.  To be fair, he obtained most (if not all) of his info from other sources, and most of  the sources in question wont acknowledge anything they didn't come up with. 
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on February 13, 2015, 09:26:01 AM
Found this post on another board by member yej0001.

No T54s produced in 1960/61 and it looks like when production resumed in 1962 they concidered it the "next production year of the T54" and resumed with the 7 million.  THEN in 1964 it looks like they decided against the offset and jumped back to the 11m where it should have been "11th year of the T54"



Quote
Here is documented observation on T54 coding rule observed so far from my research and personal observation:

1954 - 1 million range
1956 - 3 million range
1958 - 5 million range
1959 - 6 million range
1960 - supposedly no T54 was made
1961 - supposedly no T54 was made
1962 - 7 million range
1963 - 8 million range
1964 - 9 million range; some in 11 million?
1965 - 12 million
1966 - 13 million
1967 - 14 million

I have seen more current production pistol sold in Canada with s/n in 28 million and 32 million range. There was no year date stamped on the frame or anywhere. Presumably made in 1980s
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on February 13, 2015, 11:12:54 AM
That jump from 59 to 62 made me go  :-\ when I first saw it.  Reading through that post of yej0001's it seems his ideas are plausible. Stopping and restarting production are certainly a good explanation of getting the system screwed up for a year or two until the Chinese Communist Party could rectify the situation (poor plant manager at /66\ was likely executed along with his family for that one... :o)

The '60-'61 "no guns made" has a likely explanation that ties it further to SKSs of the time period: the Sino-Soviet split.  This timeframe is where we see all the letter prefix SKSs.  I wonder if letter prefix T54s exist?  Perhaps they were more reliant on the Russians for production of these than they were for SKSs?

Another option is that the M21 series may have occupied that slot:

Remember these?
(http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q647/jelucer/Chinese/VN_Bringback/946939_receiver.jpg~original)

Now what about this:
(http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q647/jelucer/T54/M20_slide_stamp.jpg~original)

AK's too:
(http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q647/jelucer/AK/07730_receiver.jpg~original)

These variants have all been known by collectors for many years, so nothing I'm showing here is earth shattering at all.  These M2X series could all have been made somewhat later than 60-61 though, but certainly before 1964 when the SKS began to evolve with the spike bayo and short lug.   Good stuff, thanks miner!  thumb1

Yooper certainly has done a ton of great work with what he had to work with.  All those early guys doing their best to tease out answers did great work!  Maybe it was just a dead end (that 59-62 transition and the jump at '64 still makes me go  :-\) and he moved on to something else?

The thing that gets me is when there's some hard data that contradicts your hypothesis, you've gotta change your hypothesis or try to explain why the data doesn't fit by presenting new data.  Otherwise your credibility takes a nose dive and you're seen as an obstructionist with an agenda such as trying to keep prices high on your collection or keeping yourself as the ultimate authority of XYZ.  Meh, not a big fan of that kind of stuff here at SKS-Files.  thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on July 11, 2015, 10:56:40 AM
Little nuggets keep coming in.  Just found this one off a completed June auction.  If anyone had any doubt about the proceeding 70/71/72/73/74/75/76 being a year date, this should help with those doubts:

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/73-014xx_closeup.jpg)


Before 2016 rolls in, I hope to rewrite this entire thread taking all the new data into consideration into a more compact single post.   thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on July 11, 2015, 12:17:19 PM
 thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on December 06, 2015, 01:19:42 AM
Found this one while going through the November GB Chinese Military listings:

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/FAQ/230149X_closeup.jpg)

I interpret this one to show:
a) The Chinese clearly had a method of using the S/N prefix for somehow tracking their guns as it is special and deliberate (duh we knew that, but it's a good confirmation)
b) Along with that, by this year of production they also had a pretty good feel for how many guns would be produced at a any certain small run factory (as evidenced by the 0 after the 23, this shop was not expected to produce more than 9999 of these in year 23)
c) It appears that the arsenal stamp, 五六式 stamp, and prefix were all marked at around the same time as they are pretty uniform with each other and clearly different from the 149X portion stamped into the S/N.  One has to wonder which came first, the arsenal/五六式/prefix or the 149X S/N? 

I think I'm perhaps leaning towards the arsenal and other information being blanket mass stamped on receivers at the major factory producing them and the 149X portion being done at the /0130\ arsenal itself after the gun was completed.  Just a WAG and we need more data but I thought it was an interesting one. thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on December 06, 2015, 01:35:48 AM
Yeah...  That's rather interesting, and I think your assessment of how/why makes the most sense. 


Cool find.   thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Buckeye on February 25, 2016, 08:12:53 PM
Curious about the factory stamp.

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/amos_pentagram/guns/DSC03404_zpsht4cegeg.jpg)

(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/amos_pentagram/guns/DSC03395_zps1bkk1lcy.jpg)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on February 25, 2016, 09:39:37 PM
/106\ isn't a terribly common stamp.

14 prefix is 1969. All /106\s lack the three Chinese 'type 5 6' characters as far as I'm aware.  Should be a side sling swivel, short barrel lug, one piece gas tube, probably milled trigger group.

To be honest, we don't have many (any?) 14 prefix /106\ examples. If your gun is mostly original, you might post up photos like is shown in the other year prefixes in the http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=1785.0 thread so we can properly catalogue these ones.  Looks like a nice one though!  Thanks for sharing!  thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on February 25, 2016, 09:42:19 PM
Yes...  Please post pics of all components so we can document this uncommon arsenal.   thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Relics on August 01, 2016, 08:30:45 PM
Just acquired an unfired Chinese SKS made is factory 23 with what I believe to be a very low - probably 1956 serial # - in the 7000s.  An estate liquidation.  Feel like I hit the lottery.  chuckles1  Photos to follow if anyone interested.  My big problem:  how can I justify shooting this gun?  Have 5 others.  2 Yugos, 2 Chines, and an Albanian.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on August 01, 2016, 08:40:47 PM
I'd very much like to see it!  Start a new thread in the chinese military section and we'll se what you've got.  thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Dannyboy53 on August 01, 2016, 08:58:53 PM
Photos to follow if anyone interested.

DANGED RIGHT we are interested.  :) Go for it!
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Relics on August 02, 2016, 04:14:37 PM
Probably the weekend before I can throw a few pixs up.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Relics on August 03, 2016, 01:12:53 PM
Well, mea culpa.  Don't know what was in my morning coffee when I took delivery of this rifle, but it is not a pristine early gun.  It is absolutely assembly line new, but it is a far newer gun.  Took me 2 days to notice the pinned barrel!  It's got a 306 aresenal mark and the KFS import ID called #4 on this board.  KFS ATL GA SKS 7.6 etc in the finest as in smallest print hiding under the bayonet on the barrel fore end.  What I thought was a 26 stamp with a 7000s serial is actually a 26007*** so it's a 70s gun perhaps.  The 3 digit chines character set I have not been able to ID.  SO...I'm merely very happy to have the gun as opposed to ecstatic!  Now my dilemma is do I use it or lock it away.  Since I have 5 others to shoot I guess I'll treat this as an investment.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on August 03, 2016, 01:34:57 PM
I have examples of year 23 prefixed /306\ guns but have never seen a 26,XXX,XXX /306\ marked gun.  I'd still love to see photos of it if you'd care to post them up, sounds like it's a nice one!  thumb1
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Relics on August 03, 2016, 03:16:29 PM
I have examples of year 23 prefixed /306\ guns but have never seen a 26,XXX,XXX /306\ marked gun.  I'd still love to see photos of it if you'd care to post them up, sounds like it's a nice one!  thumb1

Will do.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on December 09, 2017, 05:22:31 PM
Chinese T81 variant imported into Canada in 2017.    thumb1

(https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=135825&d=1512857337)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Matchka on February 12, 2019, 07:56:32 PM
There's a book in here - or at least a PhD thesis.   :P
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Boris Badinov on April 01, 2019, 10:04:57 AM
With the 1.5's  (possibly 1.6's) in the Foxtrot imports, it would be helpful to get the OP dated to include both.

It will make it easier for those still unfamiliar with modern the dating theory to make sense of it.

Yes?
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on April 01, 2019, 11:29:27 AM
Whole thing needs a rewrite.  Been on my to do list for two years.  One of these days.....
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Shultzie58 on September 22, 2019, 10:06:01 PM
Soooooooo...... I might be missing something but there shouldn't be a factory 26 type 56 in the 1.8 million range should there? Because thats what mine is and Im confused... I dont have any pics right now but could get some. Its a Pomona California import, i not sure which importer off the top of my head, has stamped trigger guard, short collar barrel, blade bayonet, bottom sling mount, all the later production features from what I can tell, all matching serial numbers and the 3 Chinese characters between the factory mark and serial number (military property mark?) From what I can tell this serial number shouldnt exist, should it?
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on September 22, 2019, 10:49:04 PM
Good clear pics would help...  sure its a 26?
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Shultzie58 on September 23, 2019, 12:22:48 AM
Good clear pics would help...  sure its a 26?

Just busted it out to pget ics and I was wrong its a /36\. So now I'm back to square one I guess.


(https://i.ibb.co/8jPv74y/20190922-210649.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tbYjJP0)

(https://i.ibb.co/frTc7MD/20190922-210657.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Dwjqn4r)

(https://i.ibb.co/HC97n3B/20190922-210744.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7Q0v2Lj)

(https://i.ibb.co/1ZdfG95/20190922-210749.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JnyRjz4)

(https://i.ibb.co/hgvJgpk/20190922-210801.jpg) (https://ibb.co/10xt0H3)

(https://i.ibb.co/BfTb0mM/20190922-211020.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QJYLyZw)

(https://i.ibb.co/dLY249P/20190922-211032.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JyJ7jLv)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on September 23, 2019, 02:26:04 AM
/136\    ;)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on September 23, 2019, 10:49:49 AM
LC, as always, is on the ball.

The /135\ and /136\ stamps are very often confused with /26\:

(https://i.ibb.co/Jnn7q8Q/T-136-enlarge.gif)

(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/arsenal_stamps/T26.jpg) (http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/arsenal_stamps/T26_P.jpg)
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/arsenal_stamps/T135.jpg) (http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/arsenal_stamps/T135_P.jpg)
(http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/arsenal_stamps/T136.jpg) (http://sks-files.com/Pictures/Chinese/arsenal_stamps/T136_P.jpg)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Shultzie58 on September 25, 2019, 06:19:41 PM
So being a 136 how would i date it?
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Loose}{Cannon on September 25, 2019, 09:43:06 PM
So being a 136 how would i date it?

The short answer is 1973
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Boris Badinov on September 26, 2019, 07:54:23 AM
18 prefix = 18th year of Chinese sks production or 1973.

From page 1 of the thread:

(This list is by no means complete; more will be added as they are discovered.)

    1967: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,200,000’s.
    1968: Oval/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,300,000’s.
    1969: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,400,000’s.
    1970: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,500,000’s.  Note that there is a distinct but small (less than 20k rifles) group of /26\ rifles produced with a 1.5 million prefix.  The Chinese must have known they would be tapering SKS production at /26\ in 1970 and modified the S/N accordingly.
    1971: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,600,000’s.
    1972: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,700,000’s.
1973: Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 1,800,000’s.
    1975: Rectangle Arsenals, S/N in the 2,000,000’s.
    1976: Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 2,100,000’s.
    1977: Rectangle Arsenals, S/N in the 2,200,000’s.
    1978: Rectangle/Triangle Arsenals, S/N in the 2,300,000’s.
    1979: Rectangle Arsenals, S/N in the 2,400,000’s.
    1980: Oval Arsenals, S/N in the 2,500,000’s.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on September 26, 2019, 10:16:20 AM
It is internet rumor that "only /26\ guns can be dated".  Almost all Chinese type 56s have coded S/N prefixes.  The patterns were readily apparent when the sample size got large enough.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Marco on September 23, 2020, 10:01:32 AM
Anybody know what the G4 suffix on my Chinese means?
It triangle production 1611xxx
Thanks
Marco
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Phosphorus32 on September 23, 2020, 11:10:45 AM
Anybody know what the G4 suffix on my Chinese means?
It triangle production 1611xxx
Thanks
Marco

The meaning of the added letters (etc.) typically suffixes, but sometimes prefixes, is not known with 100% certainty. In my opinion, the most likely explanation is to provide a unique serial number for each importer, as required by the ATF.

Since you're reading this thread, you've likely figured out yours is a 16th year Type 56 made in 1971.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Marco on September 23, 2020, 11:33:48 AM
I did, but just this morning.
Thank you.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Marco on October 07, 2020, 02:41:48 PM
Serial No. A5716
What would this be? I'm not finding it here but I have been known to miss the obvious sometimes.
Thanks
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: Phosphorus32 on October 07, 2020, 02:55:11 PM
Serial No. A5716
What would this be? I'm not finding it here but I have been known to miss the obvious sometimes.
Thanks

A5716 would be a letter gun made circa 1959. In this case the letter was applied originally by the Chinese at the time of manufacture. It should have a /26\ marking but not the 五六式  (Type 56) marking. It should also have early features: a blade bayonet, side swivel sling mount (if it's a matching stock), long lug threaded barrel, lightening cuts in the bolt carrier and bayonet lug, etc.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: jjjxlr8 on January 04, 2024, 11:22:00 AM
I didn't see a 1995 dated example in the excellent references so here's one for the record.  This is an SKS 30 model.

(https://i.imgur.com/3g6g4Tg.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9ca8Cve.jpg)

Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on January 05, 2024, 10:08:55 AM
Nice!  With your permission, I'll use it as the '95 example.  Can you post a photo of the full import stamp for me too?  Just want to make sure we have all the info for this one straight since it's one I've not seen before.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: jjjxlr8 on January 06, 2024, 03:57:54 PM
Yes, please feel free to use the photos anyway you like.

(https://i.ibb.co/QF5LFfZ/2020-03-06-17-13-27-IMG-0012-JPG-Photos.png) (https://ibb.co/tMdgM4S)


(https://i.ibb.co/yNNqCrd/2020-03-06-17-22-05-Photos.png) (https://ibb.co/hggVNSL)


(https://i.ibb.co/zXBwHzh/IMG-0023.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2vCBYT7)


(https://i.ibb.co/093FqpD/IMG-0024.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jwFWh96)


(https://i.ibb.co/bFtfdDn/IMG-20200306-164025011.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HCZJg3Q)

(https://i.ibb.co/bP2Y0Fz/IMG-0022.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nbn4GBz)

(https://i.ibb.co/qgStLdg/IMG-0014.jpg) (https://ibb.co/94DFmN4)


(https://i.ibb.co/p3wRXkK/IMG-0015.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SKydvZm)

No import marks.  Did you happen to see the "06" serial numbered SKS D on Gunbroker recently?
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: jjjxlr8 on January 06, 2024, 04:21:52 PM
This one is not mine but I've never seen another one quite like it with the odd serial number.  I believe this is an SKS D with the modification to take AK mags.

(https://i.imgur.com/dOlqnd0.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/qdf9fqR.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/3hTnrpi.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/N7cInSH.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/YP5E0eg.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/A8QksRF.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/ar4A6v7.jpg?1)
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: echo1 on January 06, 2024, 05:25:58 PM
Does it have the removable bayo too? PAX
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: jjjxlr8 on January 06, 2024, 07:28:39 PM
No, the 1995 example does not have the removable bayonet.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: firstchoice on January 07, 2024, 02:08:53 AM
I didn't see a 1995 dated example in the excellent references so here's one for the record.  This is an SKS 30 model.

(https://i.imgur.com/9ca8Cve.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/bFtfdDn/IMG-20200306-164025011.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HCZJg3Q)



This one is not mine but I've never seen another one quite like it with the odd serial number.  I believe this is an SKS D with the modification to take AK mags.

(https://i.imgur.com/dOlqnd0.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/A8QksRF.jpg?1)

(https://i.imgur.com/ar4A6v7.jpg?1)



Are these examples of Canadian imports?

firstchoice
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: jjjxlr8 on January 07, 2024, 01:16:26 PM
Probably, but not sure.
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: BP4W on March 07, 2024, 12:10:55 AM
It is internet rumor that "only /26\ guns can be dated".  Almost all Chinese type 56s have coded S/N prefixes.  The patterns were readily apparent when the sample size got large enough.

This needs to be on the Chinese SKS site front and center... Unfortunately many people still believe this myth til this very day.

The dating system, or to be more accurate, the serial format, was first published circa.1955 by the 2nd Ministry of Machine Building (the department responsible for armament) but not fully adopted until 1960 or so. The switch was first observed on Type 53 Mosin carbines (M44 copy) made by Factory 296 in 1955, when the serial immediately jumped to 3 million despite the total contract was 100,400 newly produced T53 and 201,440 longer Mosins converted to T53/M44 standards, and the samp changed from 296 to 26, but no triangles yet.

The serial format had three noticeable features:
*this one didn't last long obviously, they soon ran out of the unique 2 digits so they removed this rule for all newly established factories

Tried to attach an image but no worky.


Source: Xiao, Wu, "The Cornerstone of the Chinese Military Industry: State Factory No.296", Small Arms, Issue #6, 2021
Title: Re: Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made?
Post by: running-man on March 07, 2024, 08:12:42 AM
Yes. This thread needs a good refresh containing all the new sources available. I have the 2021 small arms article posted and relatively well translated on the data collection sources board: https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=7352.0 (access restricted to riflemen or above)

We cracked the code way back in 2014~2015 using only primary data (feature progression, serial numbers, comparisons to T53, T54 etc., reassessment of the commonly held beliefs at the time). There are several good articles on factory 626 (/66\) that compliment the 296 (/26\) article very well too.

It's on the list of things to do. Hopefully I can find some time to update this thread sometime this year.  thumb1