Stock stamp

[Rimfire51]

Recently picked up this crisp 1967 example.  Not sure if it's a refurb or fresh original condition. It has a small triangle with the number 5 inside it on left side of stock aligned about center of the magazine well. Anyone know what this is for?  Pointer in photo show's location

[Greatguns]

First off, welcome to the files. Best place to get info on all things SKS and other fine historical firearms.

As for the stamp, it is IIRC an inspection stamp.

[echo1]

Welcome aboard, nice rifle PAX

[Rimfire51]

Thats what I was thinking also, but is that stamp identified to original factory 26 or possible rework?

[Phosphorus32]

Hard to say if your year code 12 Type 56 is original or refurbished based on those photos. We need clear pictures of all of the serialized parts.Any import markings? A picture of that would be helpful too.

[running-man]

Those triangle stamps on the stocks of /26\ built carbines are pretty prevalent in the year 7 to year 14 range.  Year 15 & 16 do not have them as far as I can tell and then they appear again in the 23/24 carbines.  Acceptance stamps like GG says is what I would deem them, but of course there is nothing official to proclaim that.

The numbers inside do change though, but within a single year code it is relatively stable with only perhaps 2 or 3 numbers being used from what I can see in the examples in my files.  Often, one of the numbers appears to carry over to a subsequent year.

Year 7: /2\


Year 8: /1\ & /2\



Year 9 gets a bit weird with /2\'s both on the left side of the stock under the S/N as well as on the right side of the butt stock as well as /P\'s and /21\ (which was seen on early six digit, year 2, and year 3 factory /26\ made carbines):




Year 10: /8\



Year 11: a /3\ and a very different looking /2\




Year 12: same /2\s as well as a /6\ and then a /5\ towards the end like on the OP's stock.





Year 13: /6\s and /5\s



Year 14: /6\


Year 23: /4\



Year 24: /4\ and /8\

[running-man]

As a side note, you don't see those stamps on other factory carbines. 

Actually I lie, you do see them on one other set of carbines:

M21 0296 carbines all sport a /4\:






Which with the french tickler, tells me they were likely built in the same general 1979 to 1981 timeframe as the year 23 to year 25 /26\ guns. (of course factory /26\ = 0296)

[Rimfire51]

OK I took some pictures by my phone isn't the best. Serial numbers on all parts match. 

[running-man]

Looks like a nice carbine. 

[echo1]

YES, nice,  PAX