I have 2 SKS 56 that are not 100% numbers matching. Both receivers may fill in some blanks in the "Chinese Type 56 SKS C&R Guide, Triangle Arsenals".
The first is /256\, 1719333(9). The last "9" is a totally different font than the first "9". That's why I put it in parentheses. I posted this on Gunboards and someone replied that the last "9" was stamped by the importer because there were 2 identical serial numbers.
Whether it's 1,7xx,xxx or 17,xxx,xxx it may fit into the 1972 dotted box.
The second receiver is /136\ 1,712,542 and may also fit into the 1972 dotted box.
(https://i.ibb.co/p6wV3xwN/Screenshot-20260430-132707-Gallery.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p6wV3xwN)
(https://i.ibb.co/HfH8K7p1/Screenshot-20260430-132907-Gallery.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HfH8K7p1)
(https://i.ibb.co/k2Nt7vkB/Screenshot-20260430-132836-Gallery.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k2Nt7vkB)
(https://i.ibb.co/svrsyJLd/Screenshot-20260430-132918-Gallery.jpg) (https://ibb.co/svrsyJLd)
Nice carbines both!
The /256\ last nine is most certainly not part of the original serial number. We only have a single year 17 entry for that Arsenal and it is indeed a seven digit number.
The /136\ is the only year 17 example I have seen. There are year 16 & 18 so it was assumed they existed but it's none to have an example now! Very good data, thanks! thumb1
Any idea what this means?(https://i.ibb.co/CKGNgjrm/Screenshot-20260430-214446-Gallery.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CKGNgjrm)