Factory number shapes question

[Bacarnal]

I was sitting and pondering the shapes for the factory numbers and wondered if they had any meaning.  I don't know if the subject has been broached before, but is it possible that the shapes could correspond with regions/provinces, or is just a random process?  Thanks, Bruce.

[firstchoice]

Bruce, are you referring to the font shapes of the actual letters/numbers, or the shape of the entire arsenal code, as in the triangle, oval, and  rectangle? I've wondered about the different shapes that way. Why not use all rectangles? (would be my thought) The numbers denote the factory code, anyway. Good question! I don't have the answer but the master-minds will be along and throw their knowledge base around. 

firstchoice

[Bacarnal]

FC, yes, I was referring to the Arsenal shape (triangle, etcetera), wondering if there was any correlation to province.  Cheers, Bruce.

[shotout]

Here is my first oval SKS. The numbers are cool in all of them.

[Phosphorus32]

It's a thought but I doubt it. There are only 5 shapes: triangle, rectangle, oval, diamond and circle. I assume the impetus for having about 100 arsenals was to disperse production. China currently has 34 administrative units including 23 provinces so the number of shapes seems too limited.

The DB and DP stamps are associated with cities in the three northern provinces of Manchuria. /26\ is in Jianshe. I think those are the only arsenals that produced the SKS for which the locations are known.

[Larry D.]

That oval is pretty cool.
Never seen one in person.