Just scored a "DP" stamped Norinco, looking for info......

[KILLDOZER]

Hey guys, long time no see !! I just traded into a very clean Norinco, imported by KSI Pomona,Ca., that has the odd "DP" stamp, followed by the FOUR Chinese characters (no traditional arsenal stamp that I'm aware of).
I spent the entire 3-hr Tour De France coverage last night cleaning off cosmolene, but I think someone did half the work for me already, so it wasn't too bad.
The rifle is about as clean as you could ask for, but it is missing the bayonet (which doesn't bother me as much it it used to), and the bayonet lug hasn't been filed off.
It does have the cleaning rod and kit, but nothing else.  All markings are very crisp and evenly applied. The serial# is in the 21 million range, and all numbers match (stock, trigger guard, bolt, bolt carrier, mag, receiver cover).
I've done a little research already, so I know there's some speculation these were intended for export to Pakistan. Has there been any recent clarification on what DP really means? From what I've read, it seems this may have been manufactured around '76-77 ?
Also, I found an old thread here on these DP guns, and a couple guys stated that they tended to be very shoddily put together, but I'm not seeing that here.
I'm admitedly no expert/connoiseur, but I'm not seeing any signs that might indicate a rush job with sub-standard parts, or sub-standard workmanship. And the stock is probably the nicest SKS stock i've come across, which seems to be a common experience with these.
Again, from what I've read, these DP's seem to be a bit rare, but not enough to affect desirability or value.
Have I missed anything?
Any further illumination is much appreciated !!!

[running-man]

Hi KD, long time no see!

Photos of the 1st Chinese character in front of the 五六式 stamp will help to figure out what northern city this DP was produced at.  I have evidence that year 21 guns were produced at 白 (Baicheng), 大 (Dalian), 吉 (Jilin), and 延 (Yanji). 

The DP = Delivery Pakistan / DB = Delivery Bangladesh is internet lore and there isn't any evidence to back it as far as I'm aware.  Year 21 corresponds to 1976 if the gun follows the standard Chinese dating system (which there's no evidence that the DP's don't, DB's on the other hand have odd S/Ns that I haven't been able to date).

If the rifle is as nice as you say it is, I'd love to see some photos of it, sounds like a nice acquisition! 

[Power Surge]

On the subject of build quality.... I have seen DP/DB guns on gunbroker that looked every bit as good as a /26\ gun, and I have seen ones that looked like they had horrible casting and build quality. They are kind of all over the place.

[KILLDOZER]

Thanks,running-man, it's good to be back. I got my brother to take a couple pics for me, and i have them uploaded to photobucket, so fingers crossed that I can figure out how to post them up here !!

(ok, I have no clue. Any assistance is appreciated......but wait, now i seem to have figured it out.......  )

[KILLDOZER]

[KILLDOZER]

[Power Surge]

Damn, that looks like a REAL nice one! And if you want to finish it off, you can get a replacement bayo/collar/spring/screw on ebay for about $25.

[KILLDOZER]

[KILLDOZER]

Thanks Power Surge, I'd considered it, but money's kinda tight, and it seems like everytime i drop the bucks on some part or upgrade, I end up selling or trading the whole thing a week later (and not necessarilly doing better because of the new upgrade. The gun i traded to get this is a prime example).
But still, maybe I'll take just a quick peek over on ebay, you know, just out of curiosity.....

[Phosphorus32]

Very nice looking DP! 

If it were mine, I'd fork out $20-25 for a spike bayonet to complete it. It'll take less than the final 2K of a TdF stage to install it

[KILLDOZER]

Very nice looking DP! 
If it were mine, I'd fork out $20-25 for a spike bayonet to complete it. It'll take less than the final 2K of a TdF stage to install it  

Thanks ! And yeah, I'm prolly gonna. There's a guy on there that has a bunch of them, with the hardware, for only $18, delivered. Kinda stupid not to, for that little money, i guess.
But the only reason for me to do it is to enhance it's re-sale value. I don't personally care that much, and as just a shooter, I like them better without the bayo, so if I order one, I probably won't install it until I decide to try and sell or trade it.


BTW, is that you, Takezo? 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Great bluing on that one....  how she shoot?

[KILLDOZER]

Great bluing on that one....  how she shoot?

I dunno yet, just got it night before last. I live in a largely rural county, but we've had our years-old shooting spots kinda dry up on us in the last couple years, and we've often had to resort to quick blasts down dirt roads or at new clear-cut areas. So, a nice resting, distance/accuracy test probably won't happen anytime soon, but I'm hoping to hop on my XR today or tomorrow and run out to one of my a secret "stop-n-pop" spots so I can at least rip through some quick rounds to check for cycling reliability. 


P.S. I figured $18 delivered was as good as it was gonna get, so i just pulled the trigger on a new spike bayo w/ hardware from ebay.

[KILLDOZER]

Well, ok, since everyone is clearly chomping at the bit for further updates  .......the buddy I got this from has something of a shooting range on his property (even has a concrete picnic table which has always made for a FANTASTIC shooting platform!), so I went over there for a test fire. We fired from 40 yards ( pretty close to our limit over there), and the group I first shot was good enough that i didn't feel the need to tweek the sights with the sight-adjustment tool I had handy.
After i warmed up, and shooting from a rest (Igloo cooler on the concrete picnic table) I was putting all rounds inside the smaller target circle ( diameter between a golfball and a baseball), so I was sure no adjustments were necessary.
Later, I fired some rapid-fire rounds, doing my best to force a cycling glitch, but they went off without a hitch.
I gave it a good bill of health.
The bayonet arrived soon after, and though it was more of a headache to install that I'm willing to go into detail on  , it's finally on and looking good.
I've also been sling shopping, and I decided not to go with the boring, ugly Chinese green, leather-tipped slings (already got a couple o' them) , and went with one of those uber-cool brown/tan canvas Russian AK slings with the metal clip.  I already had one that came on another rifle I traded into, and really dig them, and I found one on ebay, coming from close by in Jacksonville, for $14.99 w/ free shipping, and I couldn't resist.
So, this dumpling is now fully decked, and ready for the prom !! 
As you were,bichez !! 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Nice...

I always hated the metal end AK slings because the scratch the hell outta the gass block sling loop. 

[Direct Connection]

Wow ! That thing is in formal wear tonight    Very nice KD ..   

[Power Surge]

Nice...

I always hated the metal end AK slings because the scratch the hell outta the gass block sling loop.

Same for the late Chinese slings with the spring attachment.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Yup...  why I dont mind the leather tab version.   I wont use any of them spring deals either.

[KILLDOZER]

Well,hell, I should've considered that . Maybe I'll go dredge up a leather-tipped sling, I think I know where a spare one is hiding. I nearly ordered another one off ebay, but they all looked like cheap repros with super-thin leather tabs. The one currently one my 0405 is a thick, dark leather.

[montigre]

Howdy cuz!!!!  I just realized your Chinese DP was manufactured on the same day as mine and in the same factory; probably on the same line....


Now, how cool is that?    Yours is purdier though.....