I just came back from an estate sale and picked up this SKS, which (I) believe to be Chinese but there is NO arsenal stamp anywhere! Every number on the gun matches, the bolt, firing pin all the way down to the gas tube and so on. I can't find anything that says "China" or any type of marking except a serial number. Up under the spike it does say 762x39 CAI, St A Vt.
Also, I've never seen a dull bolt carrier, That's a new one for me.
I would greatly appreciate your Input. The rifle is in gorgeous shape other than a small nick here and there. Bore is just as nice. Thanks all...
(https://i.ibb.co/TqT5hnz/DSCN4816.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VpN8BhX)
(https://i.ibb.co/Y8P3NgV/DSCN4815.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2PWyFJp)
(https://i.ibb.co/Fb6BVpH/DSCN4814.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WWnctCV)
(https://i.ibb.co/TTp7tsM/DSCN4806.jpg) (https://ibb.co/thkvD9p)
(https://i.ibb.co/SNjwTnb/DSCN4809.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BLp2DZb)
(https://i.ibb.co/GkBy5jx/DSCN4805.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0Z8TG3D)
(https://i.ibb.co/FYRf7Ty/DSCN4807.jpg) (https://ibb.co/X5cdJRK)
(https://i.ibb.co/yVtjSwN/DSCN4803.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SJbCrh6)
(https://i.ibb.co/zbGnMh4/DSCN4804.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Cvh1c5H)
(https://i.ibb.co/8mqMdcb/DSCN4799.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6yzY1B8)
(https://i.ibb.co/SJ2qtwJ/DSCN4802.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HX0mtTX)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZK224YH/DSCN4813.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VDwwnQH)
Definitely Chinese, late model pinned barrel maybe one of the '84 'no arsenal' guns, but the short SN confuses me. I'm sure Rm or someone with better knowledge than I will chime in soon.
Aside from the upside down bayo, nice rifle. PAX
Quote from: echo1 on October 01, 2021, 04:30:29 PM
Aside from the upside down bayo, nice rifle. PAX
I thought so too! thumb1
The blond chu wood stock, pinned barrel and gray bolt carrier are the same features on my late '93 Norinco Sporter. Nice rifle sir. Good find.
Quote from: Bubbazinetti on October 01, 2021, 06:39:39 PM
The blond chu wood stock, pinned barrel and gray bolt carrier are the same features on my late '93 Norinco Sporter. Nice rifle sir. Good find.
Thanks! I gave $400.00 for it, I thought it was a decent buy. I wish I knew more about it though, the few I have are all stamped with (something)... One of the things confusing on this rifle is, If it's a late model gun wouldn't the trigger assembly be stamped? Everything on this gun is milled.
$400 !!! Decent buy??? It’s a steal these days!!! Well done, sir!
Decent buy for sure. PAX
Nice find...no matter who made it! rofl
Post 1984 assembly using late and early components.
Trigger group is pre-1966. Cant tell if the gas tube is single or two piece. But the rest of the gun looks like late production.
$400 !?
Great deal
This must be a very early CAI import (possibly their first batchof Chinese imports?). Nation of origin is on all their stamps.
Perhaps the CHINA stamp is poorly struck? Or elsewhere on the metal beneath the stock wood?
Can you post a photo of the import stamp?
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
Quote from: Boris Badinov on October 02, 2021, 02:54:45 AM
This must be a very early CAI import (possibly their first batchof Chinese imports?). Nation of origin is on all their stamps.
Perhaps the CHINA stamp is poorly struck? Or elsewhere on the metal beneath the stock wood?
Can you post a photo of the import stamp?
I will do so, Later today.
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
I'll get the best pics I can later this afternoon, I have a family issue to attend to so it'll be after 1500. I looked it over pretty good yesterday and could not find "China" anywhere but thats not saying it isn't there. I'll dig. thumb1
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
I had a few minutes this morning so I removed the cleaning rod and here is the Import stamp! No "China" anywhere to be found. I haven't removed the wood yet but I can't find a thing that says China. I went so far as to grab a magnifying glass to look incase I missed it, nope...
(https://i.ibb.co/X5v2Npc/DSCN4819.jpg) (https://ibb.co/09dD8ZH)
beauty, well bought Dave. you did good.
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
Very good buy. That's a nice clean SKS. thumb1
I would say that import stamp is a new one just based on the position and the unique wording. It's likely a multi-piece stamp where the "SKS" and "CHINA" portions were either forgotten or were not yet implemented. Probably goes somewhere among CAI #1 to CAI #3 on the importers list (https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=2111.0).
Boris, I made out in one of Dave's pics that it is a 2 piece gas tube.
Phos, the one pic of the left side of the butt of the stock does show an SN, just hard to see from the light glare off the finish.
Quote from: running-man on October 02, 2021, 10:59:55 AM
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
Very good buy. That's a nice clean SKS. thumb1
I would say that import stamp is a new one just based on the position and the unique wording. It's likely a multi-piece stamp where the "SKS" and "CHINA" portions were either forgotten or were not yet implemented. Probably goes somewhere among CAI #1 to CAI #3 on the importers list (https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=2111.0).
If it can be used as reference, Please do! Glad to assist! :). I have found "Nothing" marked China yet on this gun. nea1
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
There is a serial number in the stock. thumb1. Kinda hard to read with the glare but it's there clear.
This morning, I took the SKS out to my work shop and brought it down to parade rest. I looked it over, called my Daughter up and asked her to come over and peek at this, 30 year old eyes are better than 60, then the wife... No markings of "any kind" that say China or any other Country. We combed it with a magnifying glass thumb1, 3 sets of eyes and not so much as a stamp anywhere else. I had the gas tube out already and nothing under there either. Here are the pics, if anyone see's something that needs to be looked at, chime in Please. I don 't know what else to say except this is a very "Incognito" rifle! chuckles1. Pics below.
(https://i.ibb.co/zb4V1b3/DSCN4823.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2Pk3wPz)
(https://i.ibb.co/XDdcFyg/DSCN4824.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RNMRQhm)
(https://i.ibb.co/3YnQjXw/DSCN4826.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6JkLTh2)
(https://i.ibb.co/zrsrZmr/DSCN4827.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c1J1Qy1)
(https://i.ibb.co/sQTDC6H/DSCN4828.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q9H4CW5)
(https://i.ibb.co/XVSzpvt/DSCN4830.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SJRK09B)
(https://i.ibb.co/JqFvkWF/DSCN4833.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pQrfX6r)
(https://i.ibb.co/X570Ldc/DSCN4835.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jwy0fxn)
I have an as new spiker with similar features, no arsenal or made in China stamp. Mine is scrubbed of numbers except the receiver serial, and it's done twice. Once by the arsenal, then a dot matrix by the importer. PAX
Quote from: running-man on October 02, 2021, 10:59:55 AM
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
Very good buy. That's a nice clean SKS. thumb1
I would say that import stamp is a new one just based on the position and the unique wording. It's likely a multi-piece stamp where the "SKS" and "CHINA" portions were either forgotten or were not yet implemented. Probably goes somewhere among CAI #1 to CAI #3 on the importers list (https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=2111.0).
Weldrdave, I consider RM the principal authority on these (his picture library exceeds everyone else's combined SKS collection and he composed the import mark list), so I'd say you have a new import mark. It looks like it's between CAI #2 and CAI #3 to me, based on location and the "ST. A. VT." style. Check out the hot link that RM posted. It's close to example #29 on his list but predates it.
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 03, 2021, 12:56:23 PM
Quote from: running-man on October 02, 2021, 10:59:55 AM
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on October 02, 2021, 04:16:40 AM
Well covered above.
It’s a late 1980s rifle assembled for the civilian market from a mix of metal components and a new non-serialized stock.
The “762x39 CAI, St A Vt.” is definitely an early CAI import, right after their initial use of a receiver cover import marking. The absence of CHINA is odd. Light strike? New variant of import mark? A good picture of the import markings would be great.
Certainly a good buy these days!
Very good buy. That's a nice clean SKS. thumb1
I would say that import stamp is a new one just based on the position and the unique wording. It's likely a multi-piece stamp where the "SKS" and "CHINA" portions were either forgotten or were not yet implemented. Probably goes somewhere among CAI #1 to CAI #3 on the importers list (https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=2111.0).
Weldrdave, I consider RM the principal authority on these (his picture library exceeds everyone else's combined SKS collection and he composed the import mark list), so I'd say you have a new import mark. It looks like it's between CAI #2 and CAI #3 to me, based on location and the "ST. A. VT." style. Check out the hot link that RM posted. It's close to example #29 on his list but predates it.
I guess this is quite the Odd Duck! wink1
Cool rifle, Dave.
And for this day and age, a pretty good deal.
Quote from: Larry D. on October 03, 2021, 10:41:53 PM
Cool rifle, Dave.
And for this day and age, a pretty good deal.
Thank you very much! It is kinda neat that it has (No) markings, I wasn't aware it was possible. For me, fairly new at owning the SKS rifles compared to some, it was a head scratcher. Never seen one like this.
It's normal for these 1980s/1990s put together guns to have few or no process/inspection markings, since they were done commercially, not under military inspection control.
Great Info Phosphorus32 thumb1. Now if I ever come across another, I'll know what it is! I had no idea they did that. ??? What's funny is, I've been to a few gun shows over the years and really never paid attention to that. Most of the SKS's I picked up to look at, at the shows were, Severely over priced in my mind :o and they were sitting.
Great find on a nice rifle .. good price as others have said. Congrats.