non-factory /26\ "Egyptian Contract" possibility

[gregsthe1]

I found a beat up non-/26\ for sale that has many "Egyptian Contract" features and I am wondering if it was possibly from the "EC" import lot, as all of the info available on them pertains to the factory /26\ examples.

Can't read the factory number for sure because the pics suck, but it is /306\ or maybe /906\. Serial starts with 16, so it's a 1971. It has a white carrier and a replacement laminate stock that is numbers matching with side swivel. Also has the early Century import mark on the bottom of the barrel reading:

CAI ST. A VT
SKS 7.62 CHINA

Unfortunately no Farsi paint, that would be the icing on the cake. But is it possible it was part of the "EC" bunch?

[Loose}{Cannon]

There hasn't ever been any evidence to suggest these came from Egypt.  Please see here...  http://sks-files.com/index.php?topic=1886.0

Really difficult to make any determination without seeing the rifle, but being a non 26 gun I guess anything is possible. 

[gregsthe1]

I realize they didn't come from Egypt. But they are commonly referred to as "Egyptian Contract" SKS variants so that's what I called it. Hence the "quotes".

Was just wondering if it was possible it came in with the grouping of rifles commonly referred to as "Egyptian Contract" because it shares many features with the known "EC" examples, i.e. white carrier w/ replacment laminate and early Century mark. I guess if none have been recorded I should buy it and post some pics to let the community decide.

About the Century mark, is that exact style and placement exclusive to the "EC" rifles? Or did they sell others back in the day with the same mark and placement on a non-"EC" example?

[Loose}{Cannon]

They sold 'new' rifles including Russians with that early mark but they are obviously not coming from this region.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Anything is possible though....  I do know Samco Global imported a batch or two of very similar rifles presumably from the ME that were non 26 guns like this.  I would imagine a few could be found lingering in PLO or Syrian inventory prior to capture.  Things tend to float across borders if you you what I mean.

[gregsthe1]

So you're saying there's a chance...  If I get it I will certainly parade it around for all to see.

Thanks for the info LC

[running-man]

I found a beat up non-/26\ for sale that has many "Egyptian Contract" features and I am wondering if it was possibly from the "EC" import lot, as all of the info available on them pertains to the factory /26\ examples.

Can't read the factory number for sure because the pics suck, but it is /306\ or maybe /906\. Serial starts with 16, so it's a 1971. It has a white carrier and a replacement laminate stock that is numbers matching with side swivel. Also has the early Century import mark on the bottom of the barrel reading:

CAI ST. A VT
SKS 7.62 CHINA

Unfortunately no Farsi paint, that would be the icing on the cake. But is it possible it was part of the "EC" bunch?

That early import stamp (and it's quite an early stamp, likely pre '85) is pretty distinct and unique. 


The only CAI stamps I've ever found on the bottom of the barrel are the "St. A." stamps and quite a few have been Israeli Capture guns.  I think the term "Egyptian Contract" causes more confusion than anything considering what Worm and LC have uncovered with respect to Russian and Chinese aid to the Middle East.  Let us know if you pick it up.  I'd be interested to see what the S/N prefix and arsenal stamp look like. 

Edit:  and for the record, you should be able to tell a /306\ from a /906\ even with crappy photos.  They are very distinct with the /306\ having a sigma like "3" and a rounded "0" while the /906\ will have a solid horizontal line for the "9" and a very square looking "0":

[Loose}{Cannon]

Im fairly certain its 906.....  2- piece gastube, and 'D' rear right leaf.

[gregsthe1]

Im fairly certain its 906.....  2- piece gastube, and 'D' rear right leaf.

I agree and think it is 906 as well.

Thanks for taking a look at the pics for me...

[gregsthe1]

Well I just bought it. Probably overpaid, but not by much. I'm not interested in haggling over $5 or $10, he dropped the price $50 and I felt it was fair. Especially considering the potential for it to have been among the early "Egyptian Contract" batch.

Once it shows up I'll be sure and post some pics

[Loose}{Cannon]

Def a cool sks. 

[gregsthe1]

Since the listing has ended here is the link to it:
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/603831996

It was listed as a /206\ but I still think it's /906\. Feel free to check it out and let me know what you guys think. Once it comes in I'll take it apart, search for stamps, and post it up!!

p.s. The seller emailed me a pic of the import mark, that's how I know it is a Century.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Yup...   Worm actually called Samco before they went out of business. He was told that their earliest shipment of sks carbines came from the middle east and were in worn condition. I do not know 'who' in the middle east/north Africa may have received these non 26 guns, but they do exist. I am convinced there are numerous ways for one to have been captured by Israeli in the many arab aggression conflicts and be imported by Century along with all the other 26 guns which undoubtedly were aided to the PLO and Syria.

I have seen several guns at auction having an early Samco import mark that look very much like this rifle having served in aforementioned climate. The owner of Samco was middle eastern having many connections to surplus guns of that region.  Hope this helps.   

[Loose}{Cannon]

I believe Worm had it narrowed down to Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Tunisia, Sudan, and maybe Oman or Eritrea.  My personal belief would be Pakistan 

We know for a fact Pak was aided losts of spikers and quite possibly not 26 guns.  Pak borders iran and you can take it from there.   

[Phosphorus32]

I think you did fine for a matching Type 56 from a somewhat unusual arsenal, whether or not it can be assigned as having Middle Eastern provenance.   I see it's not a laminate but it does have very prominent grain that I like. Definitely a nice SKS with a "been there done that" appearance. Looking forward to seeing higher resolution detailed pictures of it!   

[Loose}{Cannon]

Oh... add Lebanon and Jordan in thar too. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Add Morocco

Here is what your lookng at....

This gun was built in 1971. In order to narrow it down, you have to look at any and all countries that were involved with Arab aggression toward Israel post 1971, and then pick out the ones having Sino arms relations with China.  Good luck!   

[gregsthe1]

I see it's not a laminate but it does have very prominent grain that I like.

It's not laminate! Had me fooled. Wasn't looking as close to that because the grains look like layers to me. Are you sure?

Figured I was on to something when I first saw it but I'm still new on the SKS platform. I'd love to find a crisp Hebrew stamp or some other regional identifying mark once I get it apart. Fingers crossed this one turns out to have some hidden surprise on it, but prelimary observations definitely have an Israeli flavor

[gregsthe1]

Does it look like the dent in the magazine will affect its capacity or function?

[Loose}{Cannon]

I kinda doubt it will effect anything....