Recently picked up a nice example of a very early Chinese SKS, a "ghost" as it's often called. Another SKS into the collection.
(https://i.ibb.co/PGrXJVDb/image.png) (https://ibb.co/PGrXJVDb)
(https://i.ibb.co/B2BFRb2d/image.png) (https://ibb.co/B2BFRb2d)
Cool 8) I assume there are at least two numbers hidden by the tape.
The Albanians did not take care of these very well, and of course it's 70 years old.
Quote from: Phosphorus32 on February 04, 2026, 08:55:20 PMCool 8) I assume there are at least two numbers hidden by the tape.
Yeah, it's a 6 digit ghost, so middle of the pack of production, 148,000 out of the 213k. And ye, it's kinda rough, but not the roughest I've seen chinese-albanian ones go. Seems the metal is only in the white on the receiver, but the barrel is pretty well maintained. Still cool to have such an early example that's all matching. Overall, it's a middle of the road example of a ghost, not museum quality, but not a rust bucket either, since I can't really see any pitting on the metal.
Quote from: Nickbau5 on February 05, 2026, 04:40:22 AMQuote from: Phosphorus32 on February 04, 2026, 08:55:20 PMCool 8) I assume there are at least two numbers hidden by the tape.
Yeah, it's a 6 digit ghost, so middle of the pack of production, 148,000 out of the 213k. And ye, it's kinda rough, but not the roughest I've seen chinese-albanian ones go. Seems the metal is only in the white on the receiver, but the barrel is pretty well maintained. Still cool to have such an early example that's all matching. Overall, it's a middle of the road example of a ghost, not museum quality, but not a rust bucket either, since I can't really see any pitting on the metal.
I wouldn't complain about it either. I think having one of the very earliest Type 56s is definitely a highlight in any SKS collection thumb1 8)