Help me identify this type 56

[965bill]

I'm new to the forum and fairly new to collecting the sks rifle. Recently i  acquired a nice type 56 with an unusual stamping. After the serial number and arsenal stamp is the letter "E" set off by itself and of a larger font than the rest of the serial number. (Ive added a pic.)I've been at a loss to find anything that would tell why or what this is. I need your help. Plan on coming back with another anomaly on  another gun soon if i can get my hands on it! Thanks for the help

[Phosphorus32]

18th year of production = 1973. Arsenal /636\ it appears.

The meaning of the letters that appear after the serial numbers on some of the imports that came direct from China is unknown. It may have been added by the exporter or the importer is the inclusive answer though people often lean one way or the other.

Welcome aboard!

[running-man]

Greetings from NM!  Nice type 56 you've got there.   

To add to P32's excellent reply, those miscellaneous letters also tend to show up before the S/N as well. 

[965bill]

Thank you for the quick response. I've got a lot to learn about these rifles and this appears to to be the place for that!  Thanks again

[carls sks]

hi Bill and welcome. good to have you here. nice 1st sks (watch out, they multiply fast). 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Welcome to the Files!   

[965bill]

Greetings from NM!  Nice type 56 you've got there.   

To add to P32's excellent reply, those miscellaneous letters also tend to show up before the S/N as well.

Yeah, I've seen that. Just had never seen one like this one with such a prominent letter and that far over.