Not your normal Paratrooper questions......

[KILLDOZER]

At least I don't think they are. I just traded into a nice,clean para, and i'm trying to get some more info on it.
So, I was just reading on that other,lesser, SKS forum    , a years-old thread posted by a guy that said he'd read that, "...the Joe Poyer book indicates that "rectangular" Arsenal markings indicate a rifle built for commercial sale. Also that arsenal 26=0136 (same arsenal)....".
I don't know who Joe Poyer is, but this guy cites him as some sort of SKS authority. I just looked up his book on Amazon, here's a link to it:
The SKS Carbine, 5th Revised and Expanded Edition: Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer: 9781882391141: Books - Amazon.ca
Again, he states that the Rectangle-0136 arsenal stamp is actually a psuedonymn of the commnly known Triangle-26 arsenal.
Can anyone confirm or deny this?
Also, my import stamp is barely legible gibberish, there is barely anything there at all, but what I'm pretty sure I'm seeing (with the use of a large magnifying glass) is: "A Co." This is preceded by just a couple small,indeciphrable marks, but the ''A Co.'' is pretty clear. Does this ring a bell with anyone?
I've looked at lists of several known importers, and nothing I saw looks like it would fit this A Co.stamp.
This Para I have  has a serial number in the 21 million range, and from what I've been told, and dug up myslef, this may have a 1976 or 77 manufacture date. Can anyone conform or deny that?
I know some detailed pics would be useful, but i'm unable to get any at the moment, but may be able to soon.
Here's a further description of the rifle, and a photo that was sent to me yesterday by the guy i got it from:
This rifle has all matching numbers, but the stock and bolt are basically blank (the bolt actually has a few very tiny, and VERY lightly stamped individual numbers, that are scattered around in no pattern whatsoever, but nothing at all resembling a serial number.)
It has a Rectangle-0136 arsenal stamp, and a serial number in the 21 million range. The barrel is threaded,with a short lug. Going by the circular machining marks all over the bottom of the receiver, I believe it is machined, but the trigger group is stamped.
Also, it has a small scope mount pinned into the left side of the receiver, and the bayonet lug is neutered, and the gap in the stock has been professionally filled with a similar piece of wood, then laquered similarly.
here's the pic i have:
SKS PARA_zpshe5ygddx.jpg Photo by Fretworn | Photobucket

[Power Surge]

Welcome aboard Killdozer!

Can you get us some pics of the other side? Actual Paras usually have the bayo intact. You might have a different commercial cut down variant.

21 should be a 1976. See this thread for how to date:  Q: When was my Chinese Type 56 SKS made? in Chinese SKS (Military) - Page 1 of 2

On the rectangular arsenal, one of the other guys should be able to chime in on that. I'm not an expert on arsenal stamps. Still learning.

As for your import mark, what I would suggest is take the survey and it will give a complete list of import marks, and maybe one will match what you can see of yours. Link is here:  Form

[running-man]

Welcome KD!

I'd guess (and it's only a guess until you can get additional photos of the other side), that you've got a Navy Arms Cowboy's Companion there.

Features I'd expect on one:

• The milled Bayo lug
• (N.)A. Co. import stamp
• Made from existing Chinese military guns (I would be a bit leery of Poyer and Kehaya's book.  Decent info, but also lots of inaccuracies)
• 16 1/2" barrel
• Filled in bayo groove on the wood stock
• Mid or rear scope mout on left side of receiver

This is what a NA stamp looks like:


As for these boards being better than the 'other' boards.  Everyone has to make up their mind whether they like seeing the data that helps to generate the commonly held theories or they just want to follow the SKS gods word because they say so.  Lots of denial going on in the other place where absolute proof is needed when it's something we hypothesize, but everything else is just unquestioningly accepted simply because of who said it.  We definitely don't roll like that here.  The data calls the shots, not any one person,

[running-man]

Info on a CC is here by the way: Chinese SKS Commercial Models - Chinese SKS Guide

The SKSGuide is run by Loose{}Cannon and populated by info gathered by us here.  XXXSKS input all the data for the commercial section.  He's got the data and observations to back up everything he says. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

RM nails it ....   AGAIN!! 

Welcome home Dozer!   

[Loose}{Cannon]

I would add.... 

I have found no defining piece of information indicating the [] arsenals were not military BUT, seeing how they were mostly produced in a time where the sks was taking a back seat within the PLA, I believe them to be primarily for export (gov aid) or for Chinas huge militia. 

[KILLDOZER]

Many thanks for the solid info,guys !!! I think the guess about it being the Cowboys Companion may be spot on. My import stamp isn't within a light-year of being that clear, but there is definitely a visible "A. Co.", so I think that mystery is solved. I'll try to get a couple detailed photos sometime soon.
Thanks again to all for chiming in.......

[KILLDOZER]

Info on a CC is here by the way: Chinese SKS Commercial Models - Chinese SKS Guide

The SKSGuide is run by Loose{}Cannon and populated by info gathered by us here.  XXXSKS input all the data for the commercial section.  He's got the data and observations to back up everything he says. 

Thanks,RM, I just checked that link, and yes, this is most definitely a CC. I have the one with the scope mount further to the rear, not mid mounted. And, it does have the cleaning rod and the odd little retaining clip screwed in the bayo- lug, that are unique to the CC's.
Thanks again for the help !!

[KILLDOZER]

Welcome aboard Killdozer!

what I would suggest is take the survey...... Link is here:  Form

Thanks Surge (may I call you Power?  ), I tried to take that survey, but so mnay of the pics seem to have been removed, that I can get through it.

[Loose}{Cannon]

 

RM!!!!!!     

[KILLDOZER]

 

RM!!!!!!     

I'm confused,LC, did I inadvertently commit a FFP ( forum faux pax)? 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Welp... Hopefully it hasn't been messed up for long.   

Sure its not on your end?..  Try a dif browser perhaps...

[KILLDOZER]

Welp... Hopefully it hasn't been messed up for long.   

Sure its not on your end?..  Try a dif browser perhaps...

What are we talking about here? The photoshop pics on the survey site?

[Loose}{Cannon]

Yeah...  The survey pics.  Not good!

[KILLDOZER]

Yeah...  The survey pics.  Not good!

So you're seeing what I'm seeing (or not seeing) ?? Or are they coming through when you go to the survey?

[Loose}{Cannon]

I didn't look yet.   

Which pics... Arsenals?

[Loose}{Cannon]

Must be on your end...  Looks like they are all showing for me onnthe first page atleast.

[KILLDOZER]

Must be on your end...  Looks like they are all showing for me onnthe first page atleast.

Thanks bro, that worked ! I tried going to the site with google chrome rather than internet explorer, and the pics all seemd to come up then (though, i was seeing the first page pics fine before , it was once I progressed beyond that point I kept running into "photo no longer available".)
I gotta head out the door, but i'll get back to the survey later today.

[running-man]

I'll double check it. Nothing should have been changed. Survey 2.0 is right around the corner anyhow.

[Loose}{Cannon]

2.0!!!