/406\b Info and Data Collection

[Power Surge]

So when you have a particular SKS, you naturally like to look into it's history and any relevant information. In the case of my Type 56, I found it has a bit of an odd serial configuration, so I did a little research and found other guns with my same arsenal stamp have the same odd serial. Does this mean anything? I really don't know. But I would love to hear from others with this stamp and see if maybe we can come up with some new information about this arsenal.

The stamp itself, is of the "triangles" pattern and what I will call a 406b arsenal stamp. This is how it is listed in the survey database, and it's a "b" because there is a numerical 406 arsenal also. Going off how most "decode" the other popular triangle stamps, 406 seem pretty valid (could also be 0406 if you count the extra triangle as a zero).

The stamp looks like this (artwork by myself):



I have highlighted what I consider to make out as the 406. This is really just a title though, as what actually matters is just guns with the same stamp, whatever you want to call them.

Now, what I find interesting about this arsenal, is that the serial number on all the 406b guns I've seen always starts with a number and dash before the actual serial. They are also followed up by a letter afterwards, and before the arsenal stamp. The letter suffix doesn't surprise me as much as the number prefix, because we've seen some importers put a letter suffix stamp. If you look at the data collection post below, it seems pretty obvious that the letter suffix IS importer added.

Here is a picture of my gun, for comparison sake:



The other thing to mention, is that all of the 406b guns I have seen except one, were imported by Poly USA. Not sure if there is relevance there, but it's worth mentioning for now.



I would love for other people with this arsenal to chime in, with their serial, importer, and other build info. I REALLY would love to make some kind of connection with the number prefix. That's the only thing that seems to set the 406b guns apart from other arsenals.

I have collected some data and pics I've been able to find with this same arsenal stamp. I don't want to infringe on other forum's threads or people's personal pictures, so what I will do here is just list the partial serial numbers, importer, and any build details, to get some kind of list started. If anyone stumbles onto this thread and thinks one of these is there gun, hopefully they will want to supply more info and pics. I'll update the data as people add more guns.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Good thread...

This "arsenal" is one of many all having the same triangular pattern. These were likely all made at the same location. It is also my belief (from ongoing research) that all of the non /26\  and [296] rifles were either built post 1980 or made from scrubbed parts and/or nos parts post 1980. One of the key features is present on your gun as shown it does not have the type 56 characters.

It is also worth noting that all of the not 26 and 296 "arsenal codes" likely represent a handful of of actual locations utilizing and changing stamps often. Lots of guys have interpreted these triangular stamps in various dif # configurations, but as stated in the sticky found here http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=43.0 ... We really dont know exactly what numbers are represented or the proper order. For instance, yours shown could easily be 04006 etc

Please note, there are several triangle stamps at the end of the list shown with a (?) after an allocated number. These are arsenal stamps comprised of numbers in the middle, and with numbers in all three corners etc. There is NO defined indication as the the proper order of these numbers within the triangle, so we will NOT be classifying them based on an assumption. We have decided to simply list them as an (unknown), and will be illustrated with a (?) following a number assigned starting at ?1 then ?2 etc.

[Power Surge]

Data collection post

1-11001XX (no suffix) Importer: Labanu Inc. Short lug, "D" rear sight mark.
2-1603208 (no suffix) (my gun) Importer: CSI ONT CA. Sort lug, stamped trigger, "D" rear sight mark.
2-18053XX  G suffix AFTER stamp. Importer unknown.
3-18061XX  G suffix AFTER stamp. Importer unknown.
Both above guns posted by same person.
3-1806XXX  G suffix AFTER stamp. Importer: Poly USA, pinned barrel, stamped trigger.
3-17069XX  F suffix AFTER stamp. Importer: Poly USA, "D" rear sight mark
5-17154XX (no suffix) -this gun is interesting...it's looks like it's been well battle used, and has no importer mark.
6-17152XX, Poly USA, with the letter stamp "E" after the arsenal mark
6-18156XX (has a C BEFORE the 6 prefix) no other info
8-1517XXX (suffix and importer unknown, no pics posted). Short lug, "D" rear sight mark, ground off bayo lug.
9-1519777 L  (my gun) Importer: Poly USA. Short lug barrel, "D" rear sight mark, ground off bayo lug.
11-15XXXX (has weird symbol suffix) Importer unknown, Short lug, "D" rear sight mark.
? - 1514588 L (can't see prefix, no other pics)
10-18283XX (no suffix) - another one that looks like it's been well battle used, and has no importer mark. Pinned barrel, stamped trigger, "3" rear sight mark.

[Worm]

Awesome thread. I love data. Good work, I'll keep my eyes open for em'. I see these here & there. Very weird serials. Makes you wonder. Are you positive the letter suffixes are of the same font? And not importer stamped?

[Power Surge]

Awesome thread. I love data. Good work, I'll keep my eyes open for em'. I see these here & there. Very weird serials. Makes you wonder. Are you positive the letter suffixes are of the same font? And not importer stamped?

I revised my original post after I typed all the data and realized it's pretty apparent they ARE probably importer added. 

[Worm]

Ok, gotcha. Still good to keep track of the letters though. That still leaves the odd prefix..

Keep up the data for now 

[Power Surge]

One other thing to note on my particular rifle, is that in addition to the bayo removed and sight block ground down, the bayo groove in the stock was also filled in. It was done very well, and it leads me to believe that the bayo removal and stock fill in were likely done by the importer.

I have since added a bayo back on the gun, but the section of wood used to fill the stock came out in one piece, so it could be put back in if so some reason I chose to

[running-man]

Hey PS, here's one for you. 6-1715253, Poly USA, with the letter stamp after the arsenal mark.  I'd say that indicates they are either a) not importer stamped as no reasonable person would associate that last E with the S/N or b) they could be importer stamped, but the reason for the stamping isn't for a unique S/N:




Original post is here: http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?375096-poly-inc-usa-what-is-this-factory-code

[Power Surge]

Thanks Running man. I updated the list, along with my new one as well.

It may be too few guns to make this assumption but..... if you notice, the guns so far that have the suffix and known importer are only Poly USA guns.

[Uzz75]

[running-man]

Guys, Uzz is from Italy (we chatted a bit via PM).  His /0406\b is quite a nice one. Note the numerical prefix and the lack of any suffix anywhere on it. Definitely lends credence to PS's thoughts of the prefix being applied at the factory and any letter suffixes being applied by the importer for whatever reason long after issuance.

Uzz, any chance you might be able to get some shots of the Italian/EU applied markings on that carbine?  The CIP markings are darn neat in my book! 

[Power Surge]

Welcome Uzz!! Let's see more pics of your 0406b gun. I saw it over on the "other" site. There's a few things that have me perplexed on it.

[Uzz75]

Sorry for miss understanding, this SKS I will bring next week from a local gun store, I have just fix it.
Me too I'm little perplexed, also for the price. This is 350.00 euro, in really mint condition.
Another gun store, I bought last week 2 Type56S, and 14 year /26\ and 21 year /016\ at 200.00 but in really used condition.
This /0406b\ is particular so, maybe I think to take it.

[Uzz75]

Uzz, any chance you might be able to get some shots of the Italian/EU applied markings on that carbine?  The CIP markings are darn neat in my book! 

Ok, I don't like EU mark, they are orrible, but I will open a specific thread

[running-man]

I certainly understand the frustration with government mandated markings Uzz.  We have our fair share of them in the US. It's interesting to see what rules are in place around the world though. I find the CIP proof tests you talked about fascinating. Here in the US, there is no safety assurance at all. You are expected to take the firearm to a competent gunsmith if you suspect there might be any issue at all.

[running-man]

I love it when old threads are resurrected like this one.  I've got additional guns that PS doesn't have in his list and also a correction to one of the entries in it.

This is what we have in total:
1-11001XX
1-140044X
2-140525X
2-140768X
2-1603208
2-18053XX
3-17069XX
3-18061XX
3-1806XXX
3-180704X
6-151317X
6-161335X
6-161351X
6-17152XX
6-17154XX
6-181399X
6-18156XX
8-1517XXX
8-171891X
9-151941X
9-1519777
10-18283XX
11-15XXXX
11-183155X

Now lets reorder based on the first two digits of the non prefix portion and tell me what you see:
1-11001XX
1-140044X
2-140525X
2-140768X
6-151317X
8-1517XXX
9-151941X
9-1519777
11-15XXXX
2-1603208
6-161335X
6-161351X
3-17069XX
6-17152XX
6-17154XX
8-171891X
2-18053XX
3-18061XX
3-1806XXX
3-180704X
6-181399X
6-18156XX
10-18283XX
11-183155X

Here's what I see:  Assuming the final 5 digits of the S/N indicate that gun 00200 was built after gun 00100, the prefix perfectly increments as production proceeds.  That the numbers never get above 12 leads me to believe that the prefix is a month code, and it may very well be that because of the relatively low numbers of production from this arsenal (remember /26\ produced hundreds of thousands of type 56s in a year compared to ~30k for this arsenal) they ran out of parts and never got to month 12 for many of the years of production....

[Power Surge]

That's awesome! This is why I started this post....to see if we could make some kind of correlation with the prefixed serials found only on this arsenal. This is an exciting find to me

As for a 12th month, it could also be just that none have popped up yet.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Yup...  I see a clear serial reset each year after the year designator.    See what happens when we actually know when these rifles were made and can order them correctly?     


1-11001XX
1-140044X
2-140525X
2-140768X
6-151317X
8-1517XXX
9-151941X
9-1519777
11-15XXXX
2-1603208
6-161335X
6-161351X
3-17069XX
6-17152XX
6-17154XX
8-171891X
2-18053XX
3-18061XX
3-1806XXX
3-180704X
6-181399X
6-18156XX
10-18283XX
11-183155X

[Power Surge]

Yup...  I see a clear serial reset each year after the year designator.    See what happens when we actually know when these rifles were made and can order them correctly?     

IMO, these 0406b serial designations, are solid evidence proving the new dating theory you guys came up with 

[running-man]

You made it happen bud, this is more your accomplishment than anyone else's.  Great job keeping up with the data (I know it's not always easy and the pay is terrible!)

Next thing to find out is to see exactly when the transition from short lug to pinned barrels actually occurred.  I have 15s that are short lug, and 17s that are pinned.  I have no clear views of any 16 lugs but that would be the transition year, either part-way through or in between years.  Common features across common years (regardless of prefixes) would be another good reinforcing data point.  It also would be really nice to find some 12 and 13 guns to find out how they got from that 11 to the 14's.