GB 7 Mil Find

[Bacarnal]

Well, I couldn't find the North Korean SKS on GB, but I stumbled over this one.  Type 56 Chicom, factory / 26\, 7054645 serial, all matching, blade bayonet and... the description claims "no importer marks" (five times).  $450.00 shipped.  I took a leap of faith and said to heck with it.  I've paid the CC down enough and PayPal had ducats in it.  We'll see what I got in to when I get it and send better pix.  Hopefully the stock comes in intact...

[Boris Badinov]

Can you share the auction link?

[Bacarnal]

Borisov, here it is.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/853749801

[martin08]

Does not look like one of the Albanian imports from 7-8 years ago.

Did they spit shine the bayonet?  Wire wheel?   

[Boris Badinov]

Borisov, here it is.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/853749801

The gunbroker link says the auction ended with No bids.

Did you acquire it in a relisted auction?

[Bacarnal]

Boris, I talked to them directly, almost literally a midnight deal .

[Bacarnal]

Does not look like one of the Albanian imports from 7-8 years ago.

Did they spit shine the bayonet?  Wire wheel?   

M08, kinda looks like whoever had it might have sharpened the bayonet.  Also, looking back at the pix, it appears that the bayo was rusted on the right side.  They claim a possible bring back. I'm just hoping there's no import marks under the barrel .

[Larry D.]

I like it!
Lots of character on that one.

[Boris Badinov]

Boris, I talked to them directly, almost literally a midnight deal .

It looks like a great addition.
 
A tad high for the standard type56. However, the absence of an import stamp is worth the few extra dollars paid.

Nice catch.

[carls sks]

congrats! 

[Bacarnal]

I talked to the seller and convinced him to look under the barrel for import marks.  He got back with me and said he couldn't find any.  I'm keepin' my fingers crossed.  It should arrive next week.

[Justin Hell]

Does not look like one of the Albanian imports from 7-8 years ago.

Did they spit shine the bayonet?  Wire wheel?   

M08, kinda looks like whoever had it might have sharpened the bayonet.  Also, looking back at the pix, it appears that the bayo was rusted on the right side.  They claim a possible bring back. I'm just hoping there's no import marks under the barrel .

This looks like, almost exactly...but mine's worse....a Russian(?) chromed bayonet I got several years back. Mine also would have had rust on the right side, if it was upside down as it is depicted in the photo. This one shows the nick so common in blades where it meets the ferrule, but on the underside....so it's obviously been removed, possibly not original...but since they were still using Russian parts at this point....it could be original, and someone took it off and just put it back on wrong. There is a top and bottom to the blades too.

I have been curious if mine were actually Russian, as it has zero proof marks... As much as I tried to polish it up, before knowing about 'blood rust' it will only get so clean....even with a buffer. the pitting is actually under the chrome, which is tougher than nails.

When you receive this, don't be surprised if the stake marks are off, since it's upside down...but check patina consistency on the mounting hardware vs. the rest of the gun...to get an idea if it is a new addition.

From the photos, the stock looks as if it may have met with some alcohol at a minimum and melted the shellac over the dings...they look shiny and smooth to me....and if it were indeed a bringback, it's possible it met with disassembly before coming 'home'....and the bayonet might have been upside down longer than I have been alive.

Very neat earlier Chinese....I look forward to you getting it and posting more!

[Bacarnal]

It's coming in by FedEx and supposed to be here tomorrow,  but we'll see. 

[Bacarnal]

Well, she came in today.  There is not a single import mark on her.  Under the barrel has not been filed or turned down.  All numbers matching including the gas tube and piston, which shows hardly any wear.  The ONLY things wrong are the butt trap has rusted to the point that the spring has crumbled, which is an easy $25.00 fix (complete butt plate kit).  The other thing is that the rifle was, at one point in it's history, dropped on it's muzzle. When they did that, it must have destroyed the crown since some eager soul filed the muzzle back unevenly with a file.  I'm going to have to face the muzzle and borrow a crowning tool from a friend.  I also put the bayonet in correctly.  Though worn, I think she's a good example of a bring back.  I think I lucked out .

[Bob_The_Student]

Wow, great find imo!

Experts, is this a bring back? Take the no import out and just looking at the metal I'm thinking so. But my thoughts don't count in my limited knowledge. Thanks

[running-man]

That's a real shame about the muzzle.

I would maybe (maybe!) replace the buttplate spring, and halt all ongoing rust issues, but I wouldn't touch the rest of it. 

Bob, yes I'd consider this one a bringback based on everything I see (not that I'm an expert either by any means).  Slight premium from the price of a comparably conditioned imported gun at retail.  I would not pay the $650+ most papered bringbacks can usually bring, however. 

[Phosphorus32]

I basically agree with RM. I'd go a step farther, it if was mine, and leave it alone entirely. If you want it as a shooter I'd see how it shot first, and if it performed poorly cut an 11 degree for the first few mm and try it again. Nice find on a likely Vietnam bringback! 

[Bacarnal]

P32, I might pop a few rounds through her to see how she shoots and I'll judge whether she needs re crowned, but since she's been messed with, I always have this itch to put things right, even if it's cosmetic and no one knows but me . Kind of a character flaw .  I've faced several muzzles before and was successful. This one was filed at a slight angle so it's about 1-2mm high at the bottom, so I don't know if it'll throw the bullet.
Thanks all for the opinions that it's a bring back.

[Bacarnal]

Took her to a friends farm today and shot 25yd BZO.  Taking P32's advice and also the path of least resistance being basically lazy, I didn't do anything to the muzzle.  Using Bernaul ball, she shot a consistently tight group at 10 to 11 o'clock high.  So I'll just leave here as she is .

[firstchoice]

I think you're making the wise choice, Bruce. You just can't be absolutely sure that that wasn't a field "repair" to the muzzle before bringback. And if you're going to hold onto it as a possible/probable bringback, why alter any of it? Being Stateside, I'd think there were better alternatives than a file for fixing the muzzle, especially for a possible veteran's repair. Just my $.02 worth. It's your rifle, though. 

The little spring on the trapdoor wouldn't be a terrible thing. But I'd leave the rest as is.

firstchoice