New to me Paratrooper

[Alte Schule]

Long time lurker and C&R collector. I got my first SKS, Norinco 56, a few months ago and, thanks to you fine folks, was able to narrow down the date of manufacture and other interesting details. This past Tuesday I came across a decent looking paratrooper model at a fair price w/o a bayonet and with matching serial numbers on the bolt carrier, frame, magazine and trigger assembly. It also has the BTC El Monte Ca. import stamp and Norinco stamp.
I have reviewed a few threads on this forum and read the ample information provided here and still have a couple of questions.
I'm fairly certain that the paratrooper model is not C&R as defined by current guidelines is that correct? It has an "S" prefix followed by four digits.
Does it take the same spike type/size bayonet like on my full size Norinco 56. If so out of all the places I see on line that sell them where, in your opinion, would be the best place to get one with mounting bolt or screw.
Is there anyway to tell, beside the FBS cant, if the barrel modification was done at the factory or by the importer?
And any other information you may have. Thanks in advance.
Sorry for the poor phone photos. You might have to click on the address to get them to come up.
<a href="http://picpaste.novarata.net/#49dc33a2d371685dd35f65d0dab9e7e3.jpg"><img src="http://picpaste.novarata.net/pics/49dc33a2d371685dd35f65d0dab9e7e3.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Novarata PicPaste" /></a>
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[spongemonkey]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you can find answers to your questions!

[Power Surge]

Sounds like you have a Chinese letter gun, which is a 59-60 year build. However the atf does not recognize the accepted chinese dating system we use, so I doubt it would be C&R.

That year type 56 would have come with a blade bayo. But that stock looks like a spike bayo stock. Regardless, paras had cut down bayos, so you'd need to find a para blade or spike bayo. You could use either....I would bet since it has a spike stock, that it also got a spike para bayo during the para conversion.

[running-man]

From your description, it sounds like a letter series gun to me, imported in the late 80's to early 90's.  Photos of the receiver would be needed to be certain.  It that's indeed what it is, prior to being chopped, it certainly was a C&R gun having been built in the '59-'60 timeframe.  Now it's not so much a C&R as it's not in original military condition (nor will it ever be again w/o performing a barrel swap).

Letter guns originally took blade bayonets.  Your stock is cut for a spike, so as of right now, that is what "fits".  I can't tell if the stock S/N is matching, but I suspect it is either a blank replacement (common on paratroopers) or a restamped replacement (again common on rearsenaled guns).  Original stock would have a side swivel, small blade bayo groove, and 1/4" tall by 1/5" wide S/N font.  I also can't tell if the stock ferrule attached to the barrel has been widened to accept the spike,some were and some were just left alone.  Spike vs blade ferrules are noticeably different, this gun with the original blade bayo would have had a "V" notch ferrule:




Para spike bayos are available, you have to look hard though.  Gunbroker or eBay are going to be your best bet, retail outlets stopped selling SKS parts a while ago and now only have the occasional piece part for sale.  Even parts sites like Numrich seem to be out of the majority of what people need.  Expect to pay $40+ for the complete assembly as they command a bit more than a typical full length spike would.  Alternatively you could cut / grind down a full length spike if you wished to take on a project.

As for whether the chop was done in China or stateside, with that importer (Briklee Trading Co.), it's very likely that it was done in China by the exporter as the replacement bluing looks pretty consistent and done well to me.  What does the front face and crown of the muzzle look like?  Stateside homebrew chop jobs can be pretty crude up front.  Gunsmith performed jobs are usually quite a bit better and usually indistinguishable from those done in China. 

[Alte Schule]

You guys are over the top. Threw my questions out there and 45 minutes later had the answers. Thank you!
Definitely a "U" notch for the bayonet. Stock has no SN, at least that I can find, so I guess it's not original as the swivel is on the bottom unlike my full size 56.
I have a couple other questions but the are going to have to wait till tomorrow. 15 year old grandson and shooting partner has 7 on 7 football tonight. As some of you all know football is a year round sport in Texas. Will also post pictures of receiver tomorrow. Thanks again.
Shameless pic of my grandson shooting my 56 two weeks ago.
<a href="http://picpaste.novarata.net/#07167bf6b114ef26372df20571766083.jpg"><img src="http://picpaste.novarata.net/pics/07167bf6b114ef26372df20571766083.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Novarata PicPaste" /></a>

[Loose}{Cannon]

Your second link ....  http://picpaste.novarata.net/pics/07167bf6b114ef26372df20571766083.jpg

Thats the one you need to paste inside the img tabs to view within the thread.  Simply  click the button that looks like this  and past your link between the [ img] tabs with no spaces.

Like this...

[Alte Schule]

Thanks for the response. I'll try a couple of more photos.
Serial number last three digits photo shopped out




There are four notches below the receiver that do not appear random. I'm guessing four legged kills.