I bought a Chinese Type 56 SKS four days ago.
From the first time I saw one, I thought they were kinda cool. I mean, who doesn't like a rifle with a fold-out bayonet, right? And, since 7.62x39 surplus ammunition is so cheap (compared to 7.62x51 anyway), it got me thinking of looking for an inexpensive plinking rifle.
So, when I saw this rifle, and extras, offered for sale on another forum by a seller that was only 30 minutes away, I contacted him. We met at his local indoor range and I got inspect the rifle and shoot it as well. The seller told me that it was Chinese military by way of Albania. Thanks to this site I've found out that the rifle is from Arsenal 26 and was manufactured in 1962. (Yes, I have completed the survey in the Chinese SKS Guide.)
I call it "The Snow Leopard" because of the splotches on the stock. All the numbers match, so I'm going to leave that original stock on it. I also think I'm going to keep the splotchy appearance; I kinda like it.
I got the rifle with sling, a Russian Arctic birch stock with hand-guard (going to re-sell), a "made in China" (in cursive) 20-round metal magazine (leaning toward re-sell), 28 10-round stripper clips, a 7-pouch chest rig, and 80 rounds of ammunition for $350.00.