My Ghost

[Bacarnal]

I picked this one up at a gun show a few months ago at the same time I picked up a cast receiver, both at a descent price.  It's not totally matching, but from what I've read, that's not uncommon.  What impressed me most was the quality, the finish, the evidence of not having been fired much, and the proofs everywhere.

[Larry D.]

That's a good looking rifle.

[astronut]

Nice!   

[carls sks]

beautiful, nicest I have seen.    ------->would like to hear from experts  about all the markings and mismatch numbers. 

[Phosphorus32]

Very nice example! Refurbished by Norinco before export. CJA was one of the earliest importers and that’s one of their early style import marks with no acknowledgement of Norinco yet.* It may have picked up the mismatched parts during refurbishment. However, the only mismatched part I see is the magazine and that is often mismatched when a previous owner installs a duckbill mag, loses the original mag, and a subsequent owner restores it to original configuration.

* Stamp #37:
https://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=2111.0

[Bacarnal]

In all honesty, she has some thin spots and surface rust areas that the pix don't show and, yes, the mag doesn't match, though the stamping font is similar (to me, anyway .  But on the whole, she is a good rifle. Cheers, Bruce.

[Phosphorus32]

The numerous inspection marks seen on parts, barrel and receiver on these earliest Type 56s are consistent with the close supervision by Russian supervisors/advisors during early production and in line with Russian practice. The Chinese showed declining use of inspection marks over time.

I'd say the magazine font is different, sans serif style, more squarish. Nevertheless, it's a very nice example! I certainly am not trying to put it down at all 

[Bob_The_Student]

Looks good! Thanks for the pictures.

[Bacarnal]

Thanks, all. Phosphorus, did not think you were putting it down at all and appreciate your insight on her, especially with comments on it being an early China Jing Ahn.  Very informative.  Thanks again.

[firstchoice]

Looks like a nice Type 56! I like the early Chinese, pre-'64 SKS. Yours has all the early parts with only the magazine non-matching. As time passes, you can keep your eye out for a non-stamped magazine if it bothers you. Not a big deal at this point. Bluing looks pretty good. A little surface rust can be removed easy enough. Depending on your purchase price, which you say you got it at a decent price, I'd say you made a good buy. Congrats!

I like your serial number, too. Just call it your "Spirit of '76" SKS. 

firstchoice

[Bacarnal]

Thanks, FC.  Not really bothered by the mag since it's an early spotwelded lug (I learned something yesterday posting it to the survey) and would be period correct.  Having collected Garands and M1 Carbines, you get used to arsenal re-works.  My H&R  DCM Garand came to me with all four manufactures and I still have her.