SKS-FILES FORUM
SKS Carbines => Unaltered SKS Rifles => Chinese SKS (Commercial) => Topic started by: Power Surge on November 11, 2016, 07:44:59 PM
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One of the main focuses of SKS-Files, and a key reason for it's creation, is to preserve the history and accuracy of information surrounding the SKS. And unfortunately, we have 30+ years of misinformation out there, stemming from hearsay, poor recollection, inflated egos, and just plain ole made up information. But fortunately, we have great people here at the files, that are constantly questioning, probing, searching, and data collecting. This often leads to breaking many of those old habits of SKS "knowledge" that was never based off of fact.
The Chinese commercial models are not exempt from this. Before his passing, xxxsksjoe had recently obtained many old issues of Shotgun News, to search for information on the commercial models FROM THE ACTUAL SOURCES. Joe and I had been discussing how some of the model names being used were just plain wrong, and we started finding some good proof.
Now that Joe has passed his vast information along to me, I have continued on with his work (and my own). Now, what I am going to post may be hard for people to transition, as the names of these models have not been questioned for decades. But that doesn't change the fact that they are wrong, and I will provide the proof in this post for all to read, see, and question if needed. This is a post based on new found information, and discussion is gladly encouraged.
I will be re-classifying three commercial models. The SKS-D, the Navy Arms Type 84, and the Midwest Ordnance.
SKS-D
The "SKS-D", was one of the earliest commercial models that took AK magazines. This was a brand new production rifle. There were a few minor variations of parts used, but the rifle had a 20" barrel, military stock, riveted bayo lug with removable bayo, and of course used standard AK magazines. The rifles were sold with three 30 round AK mags in the box.
Now.... this rifle has been called the "D" for many years here on the internet. But like many things you read on the internet, that doesn't mean it's right.
There are THREE things that can be used to properly identify what the PROPER model name is for a commercial Chinese SKS - 1. The model name stamped on the receiver. 2. The model name printed on the export/bar code label on the box. 3. The model name printed in magazines and catalogs from the time period of sale.
Every single new production commercial SKS has the model name stamped on the receiver....EXCEPT the "SKS-D". This has lead to years of people taking liberties to name the gun.
So why now did I question the name of this SKS? Well, I started noticing something interesting. I kept finding these guns for sale online, still with the original box, and I noticed that the export labels did NOT say "SKS-D" where the model is printed on the label. It says "SKS-30". Here are two examples:
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/pix510173295_zpsqiqyvi3k.jpg)
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/pix984149558_zpsvdy1njqx.jpg)
Notice the bottom left side of the sticker. It says "SKS-30". Next to that, is the serial. This is how commercial models were shipped to the US from China. A quick description of the rifle on top, the bar code, then the model and serial on bottom. We don't have the model name on the receiver, but we now have one of the other two known sources.
So let's go for the third source now. Advertising. The "SKS-D" came out in 88, and there were plenty of ads in Shotgun news from 88 to 91 for these guns, from both the three main importers and other local distributors. Let's look at some of them....
Take a look at this ad from DIG. DIG was one of the three importers for this rifle....
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/123_zps33cjdoxj.jpg)
Notice that they simply call it an SKS with a detachable magazine. There is not a model name being used. They are not calling it an "SKS-D".
Now look at this ad from China Sports. They were one of the other importers....
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/CHINA_zpssdx3pyfo.jpg)
Again, notice they are just using a description of the gun for the ad. No usage of "SKS-D".
I found about 8 other companies using the generic description as well. I never found one ad calling the gun an "SKS-D".
I did however, find ads calling the gun what I had suspected was the actual model name...
Here is one, calling the SKS-30...
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/PIMC_zpsfcthzeyz.jpg)
Here is another company, calling it the SKS-30...
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/123%20003_zpsmgqg0xcx.jpg)
So now we have ZERO evidence of this gun ever being called the "SKS-D". And we have verified export labels and advertising showing the correct model name for this rifle as being the SKS-30.
But wait.... it gets better. There actually IS an SKS-D. But it's a different model than people have been calling it....
Midwest Ordnance
In the very late 80s and early 90s, there was a shop in Detroit called Midwest Ordnance. They had a very talented gunsmith who basically copied the SKS-30 and converted existing rifles to use AK mags. You could buy one outright, or send yours in to be converted. They would make any configuration you wanted.... wood stock, combat exchange stock, drum mags, pistol grip, etc, etc. There were actually REALLY nicely done rifles (I just got one, pics will be coming soon in a new thread). xxxsksjoe said there were about 200-300 guns produced by them, but honestly I have nothing to back that up. However, it is very plausible, given the time it would take to build one of these guns, factored into about 2-3 years of doing them.
So what does this have to the "SKS-D"? Well, that is actually the CORRECT name for the Midwest guns. That's right folks... the SKS-D is actually the version made by Midwest Ordnance. That is what they called and marketed their conversions as.
Here is one of their business cards....
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/SKSDMIDWEST_zpssbeusntc.jpg)
Pretty cut and dry folks.... it says "creators of the SKS-D" right on their card.
Need more proof? Check this ad out...
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/1991-4-10%20002_zpsnpdzutlo.jpg)
This is really the ad that ties it all together. For one, it says right on it "presents the original SKS-D series". Second, MO actually sold SKS-D shirts and apparel (look at the bottom of the screen shot)! And most importantly, look at the description of the rifle... "this is the closest duplication of the original Chinese SKS-30". This advertisement both proves that the MO guns are the REAL SKS-Ds, as well as backs up that the Chinese made gun was called the SKS-30.
And lastly, the Navy Arms Type 84
(Joe had already made this one known, but I am going to add it in here too, since I will soon be modifying the Commercial guide pages with these updates.)
The Navy Arms "type 84" was a 16.5" barrel, AK magazine SKS, that still retained the bayonet. It is the ONLY commercial model you get all three of those features on. It had been debated whether or not these conversions were done overseas, or here in the US. As far as I know, there is no proof either way, and it is very hard to find valid info about Navy Arms from back then. All we really have to go by is NA catalogs and advertisements and some of their lower production models only appeared in one or two obscure ads. Personally, I think they were done in house somewhere similar to the Midwest Ordnance guns. Each "type 84" was pretty much hand made, and the AK magazines had to be slightly modified to work for each particular rifle, which is why they came with two matching serial magazines.
Back to the name.... I wish I had tons of awesome proof to dispel the old name and prove the correct name, but I don't. This was a very low production gun, with an estimated 400 or so units made. And it was only very briefly advertised in one or two ads.
But here is what we know.... There is ZERO proof or information that backs up the name "type 84" for this rifle. Joe never found any source for that name, and I have not either. If anyone has any valid proof where that name came from, I would love to hear it.
What we DO know, is that Navy Arms called this rifle the "Assault Carbine" in their ads. And it's their gun, and their name.
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r119/PowerSurgePerf/SKS-files/1989-3-10%203_zpsfa2hvuoo.jpg)
So to sum all of this up...
What has been called the SKS-D for many many years, is actually the SKS-30.
What has been called the Midwest Ordnance conversion, is actually the SKS-D.
What has been called the Navy Arms Type 84, is actually the Navy Arms Assault Carbine.
Please feel free to discuss, add anything, or disprove anything. Proper information is what we want here :)
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clap1
No issues from Cannon.
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Wow! :o Great stuff.
I can think of one individual that might have an apoplectic fit if he were to read this think1 chuckles1
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Nice work Sal. Very nice.
Does this put to rest the whole "The Chinese took over the SKSD/M production after Midwest Ordinance got their hands slapped by ATF and turned over the design" theory that's always being pushed?
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Awesome work man.......makes sense. I have some SN magazines from the late 80's and early 90's.....I'll double check them.......fascinating!!
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Looks good man!
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Nice work Sal. Very nice.
Does this put to rest the whole "The Chinese took over the SKSD/M production after Midwest Ordinance got their hands slapped by ATF and turned over the design" theory that's always being pushed?
I would definitely say yes. That doesn't even make sense given the timeline. Four models of AK mag commercial guns all came out in 1988. The SKS-30, the SKS-63, the 88 Sporter, and the KS-30. The MO ads I have on file are from 1991. Even if MO started doing their conversions sooner, they themselves claim their gun is a recreation of the Chinese version.
Totally debunked.
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Fantastic investigative journalism. Always nice to view documented proof over speculation and/or persistent misinformation.
This would be a great topic for Gunboards, if possible. Proper nomenclature is healthy collector knowledge growth. Thank you, and Joe.
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I would agree. If PS isn't a member, I can do it for him.... Lemme know PS
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I'm not on gunboards... if you guys want to post this over there that's fine with me. I'll be happy to address any additional questions if they arise :)
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thank you! thumb1
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I'm not on gunboards... if you guys want to post this over there that's fine with me. I'll be happy to address any additional questions if they arise :)
Great news. Thanks.
Detractors can be expected when redefining nomenclature, of course. But most collectors welcome well researched documentation, and this stuff is GOOD.
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I'm not on gunboards... if you guys want to post this over there that's fine with me. I'll be happy to address any additional questions if they arise :)
Great news. Thanks.
Detractors can be expected when redefining nomenclature, of course. But most collectors welcome well researched documentation, and this stuff is GOOD.
Thank you martin, I try my best and it's much appreciated thumb1
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Done, with only one minor edit (deleted "inflated egos") to keep challenges to a minimum. Thank you for permission to republish this excellent research.
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Done, with only one minor edit (deleted "inflated egos") to keep challenges to a minimum.
rofl
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Done, with only one minor edit (deleted "inflated egos") to keep challenges to a minimum. Thank you for permission to republish this excellent research.
lol....that's fine martin... I'm sure you can understand there's still a bit of bitterness from how things were handled in the past.
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Great work! This is the way is should be done!
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Except the "SKS-D" marked canadian imports brought in marked as such by China. They did adopt the term eventually at some point.
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Except the "SKS-D" marked canadian imports brought in marked as such by China. They did adopt the term eventually at some point.
That is an interesting point, but that particular rifle is a strange bird in itself. The ones that I've seen, and that Joe has in his database, are rifles that were made in the 2000s, over a decade after the original SKS-30 was produced. Those guns are also not new production like the SKS-30, they are modified existing rifles that appear to have been produced by the same arsenal that produced the MC-5D. And of all the pics of them I have, only ONE rifle says SKS-D on it, and it's markings don't look anything like the other rifles nor does the construction of the rifle. With that said, given when they were produced, I can only guess that the name may have been used after years of it being incorrectly referenced.
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The world works in funny ways- I read this article before going to the Lonestar Gunshow. When I got there I ended up seeing a table with a pair of SKS-D's both with the Midwest Ordnance stamp on the magwell. They were pretty, but priced at $950/ea
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Wow, PS, that is fantastic work you two put together--very solid investigation!! thumb1 thumb1
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Except the "SKS-D" marked canadian imports brought in marked as such by China. They did adopt the term eventually at some point.
That is an interesting point, but that particular rifle is a strange bird in itself. The ones that I've seen, and that Joe has in his database, are rifles that were made in the 2000s, over a decade after the original SKS-30 was produced. Those guns are also not new production like the SKS-30, they are modified existing rifles that appear to have been produced by the same arsenal that produced the MC-5D. And of all the pics of them I have, only ONE rifle says SKS-D on it, and it's markings don't look anything like the other rifles nor does the construction of the rifle. With that said, given when they were produced, I can only guess that the name may have been used after years of it being incorrectly referenced.
There are 3 types common up here. Of the one type labelled sks-d... all of that type bare the same markings.
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Except the "SKS-D" marked canadian imports brought in marked as such by China. They did adopt the term eventually at some point.
That is an interesting point, but that particular rifle is a strange bird in itself. The ones that I've seen, and that Joe has in his database, are rifles that were made in the 2000s, over a decade after the original SKS-30 was produced. Those guns are also not new production like the SKS-30, they are modified existing rifles that appear to have been produced by the same arsenal that produced the MC-5D. And of all the pics of them I have, only ONE rifle says SKS-D on it, and it's markings don't look anything like the other rifles nor does the construction of the rifle. With that said, given when they were produced, I can only guess that the name may have been used after years of it being incorrectly referenced.
There are 3 types common up here. Of the one type labelled sks-d... all of that type bare the same markings.
Do you know anyone with these Canadian Ds? I would love to document them as a separate model, and with the various production differences. I have only got 4 of them in the database and not the best pics either. If know people who have them, I'd love to see some great pics of them, especially taken apart, the stampings, and the box labels if they still have the boxes.
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Great work PS! I'm glad that Joe's (XXXSKS) research is being recognized and appreciated! And, thanks for continuing the efforts!
Sal, did you ever find any China Sports boxes with the "SKS-30" designations on their labels? My Beta Arms rifles were definitely marked as such. It would be nice if we could find any China Sports examples with the same nomenclature. I know the China Sports rifles came with an Owners Manual, but I'm not sure if anything was printed on those that discerned the SKS-30 title, though.
I remember when Joe brought those old Shotgun News ads to the board for discussion. And how that those questions and observations started some great conversations. I'm looking forward to the update on the Commercial SKS pages!
firstchoice
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Great work PS! I'm glad that Joe's (XXXSKS) research is being recognized and appreciated! And, thanks for continuing the efforts!
Sal, did you ever find any China Sports boxes with the "SKS-30" designations on their labels? My Beta Arms rifles were definitely marked as such. It would be nice if we could find any China Sports examples with the same nomenclature. I know the China Sports rifles came with an Owners Manual, but I'm not sure if anything was printed on those that discerned the SKS-30 title, though.
I remember when Joe brought those old Shotgun News ads to the board for discussion. And how that those questions and observations started some great conversations. I'm looking forward to the update on the Commercial SKS pages!
firstchoice
I just looked at all the CSI ones on file. There are a few with boxes, but no shots of that part of the box :(
One interesting unrelated thing I noticed though.... on the CSI guns, the "MADE IN CHINA BY NORINCO" and the "7.62X39MM" portion of the stamping looks to have been done during receiver production, as they are very uniformly stamped and very straight. The "SKS" part and the China sports part were definitely stamped at a later time and by hand, as they are very heavily stamped and all over the place. Plus the "SKS" part was stamped in two different spots, depending on the individual rifle.
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The CSI boxed one I sold does not have the sks30 anywhere on it. The boxed version I sold last year did.....but it was not a csi.....I think u have those pics Sal.....
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One of my Beta Arms boxes still has the Inventory Tag attached;
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/SKS-D/2016-06-20%20Beta%20Arms%20SKS-D%20box%20tag%20001_zpsm9bqh0sf.jpg)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/SKS-D/2016-06-20%20Beta%20Arms%20SKS-D%20box%20tag%20005_zpskgdwrtxh.jpg)
(http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b436/firstchoice14/SKS-D/SAM_2397.jpg)
The other box had had the packing tape removed and the Inventory Tag apparently went with it. :(
Anybody, (GM?) have any info on Beta Arms and their current status, or date of demise, possible contact names, etc.? I'd like to contact someone from that importer, if there's anyone still around to talk to?
firstchoice
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PS, is there a chance that you have the full ads on ads #3 and #4? Ad #3 doesnt show the date of the S.G.N. issue and #4 doesn't show the company that advertised the SKS-30. They're little things, but the little things all tied together make for a stronger, more complete case proven.
Plus, who knows, there may be more tidbits of hidden info that we can discuss or simply drool over. thumb1
Thanks again for all your effort here!
firstchoice
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PS, is there a chance that you have the full ads on ads #3 and #4? Ad #3 doesnt show the date of the S.G.N. issue and #4 doesn't show the company that advertised the SKS-30. They're little things, but the little things all tied together make for a stronger, more complete case proven.
Plus, who knows, there may be more tidbits of hidden info that we can discuss or simply drool over. thumb1
Thanks again for all your effort here!
firstchoice
Sure :)
The SGN date for #3 is March 20, 1989.
The company in #4 is called EBCO.
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First of all, i would like a m53 and a m44 at those prices you posted please, do you take paypal? wink1
secondly, is this helpful?
(https://s15.postimg.org/54b2tw52v/25294414_2.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/54b2tw52v/)
(https://s15.postimg.org/ltcipt1o7/25294414_1.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ltcipt1o7/)
(https://s15.postimg.org/inrwzlj1z/25294414_3.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/inrwzlj1z/)
(https://s15.postimg.org/d0vk24gjb/25294414_4.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/d0vk24gjb/)
image upload (https://postimage.org/)
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Wow, great pics. That gun is literally an SKS-M, with a 20" barrel. Short gas system and all.
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i was looking at past auctions up here while reading old threads, this was the only one not bubba'd with large enough photos to read the markings.
Doesnt mean anything to me, but i thought it might to your stats
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i was looking at past auctions up here while reading old threads, this was the only one not bubba'd with large enough photos to read the markings.
Doesnt mean anything to me, but i thought it might to your stats
No, those are great pics. We obviously don't see any of the newer models here in the US.
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Always more to learn. Tks!
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Thanks for the information. I currently own two rifles that I can now properly call "SKS-30's". Thanks, much.