Rectangle Arsenal 138 - need some input, please!

[joejoeh1984]

Proud owner of a Type 56 #'s matching, unfired Norinco Rectangle "138" with 230 SN. Looking for more info if anyone can advise.***Having trouble inserting images...

[Phosphorus32]

Would love to see pictures    Sounds like a 1978 if it starts with 23. You'll need to sign up for an image hosting site if you don't already have one.  Here's how to post images:

http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=87.0

[joejoeh1984]

Tell me what you think...

[Power Surge]

1978 Arsenal 0138 built rifle. Standard issue military version. The chinese letters translate to "type 56".

[Loose}{Cannon]

And a great looking carbine to boot!

[Phosphorus32]

The part you've shown certainly looks good 

Still in the Cosmoline? If it is, and it has a pristine bolt face it's possibly unfired since it's proof firing at the factory.

[joejoeh1984]

I bought if from a LEO buddy who stated, "A colleague bought a crate in the 90's, and sold several/kept several. I bought this one and put it in my safe, but now want to sell it." So, I picked it up for a song with the understanding that it is both numbers matching AND unfired. And no, not so much as a drop of cosmoline. Thanks for the help!

[running-man]

And a great looking carbine to boot!

This ⇧

It's nice enough that if you want to share a full photo-spread with all the components, I'd be happy to use it in the ARSENAL COMPONENT CONFIGURATIONS board for a year 23 [0138].  (Much like this photo spread for /106\s).  More info is in this post: http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=1788.0, we'd basically need some good detailed photos that would show enough detail to identify everything mentioned in the following:

   XXth year of production (19YY)   
Barrel Lug:    
Battle Sight on RSL:    
Bayonet Type:    
Bayonet Lug:       
Bolt Carrier:    
Gas Tube:       
Gas Block:    
Receiver Cover Takedown:    
Rear Sight Block:       
Serial Number Format:       
S/N on Components:       
S/N on Stock:       
Stock Swivel:    
Trigger Group Type:    
Notes:      

[joejoeh1984]

I'll definitely consider it!

[Dannyboy53]

What I can see looks VERY nice, I look forward to seeing more of it.

[running-man]

I'll definitely consider it!

Good deal.   

As far as the rifle itself, aside from being a really nice specimen, you might not get much info on it.  With photos we can tell you some of the componnet configurations and those will help tie it into the year 23 (1978) build a bit better.  I can tell you some generalizations we've teased out for arsenal [0138] though.  [0138] appears to have been a bit of an experiemental arsenal.  The year 1970 produced stamped SKSs were produced there.  In 71, again stamped SKSs were produced there.  In '72, the arsenal switched to producing either machined or cast receivers with short barrel lugs.  It appears the stamped SKS experiment was a failure as no more were produced after '71.  The stamped and riveted design borrowed heavily from the Type 63 which had mixed success, underwent a major redesign in '68, and was generally not well liked by the PLA.  After '72 the arsenal began utilizing quite a few cast components.  It's not surprising to see cast rear sight blocks, gas blocks, front sight blocks, and even receivers in this timeframe.  Year 25 (1980) is the last specimen I've ever seen from this arsenal.