Possible Bring Back

[Rasputin]

A very good friend of mine snagged this for me a few years ago. It has no import marks, and is completely matching inside and out. The serial number is 7 digits, and going by what I've been reading about arsenal 26, it was either produced in 67 or 68 as the first 2 digits of the serial number begin with 12XXXXX.
The sling is original to the rifle, and according to a collector who knows his stuff is North Vietnamese made with Chinese webbing. He said these types of slings are rarely seen today.

As you can see from the pics, the sling is marked "Cpl Golden, and then a number. If my information is correct, its a service number of a Marine who had served sometime between 1966 and 1973, because after that date, the Marines started using social security numbers.
My friend thinks this came from his area, and is trying to track down the original owner so I can get the back story on this. Here are some pics:



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[Boris Badinov]

She's a beauty!

If it's a /26\ carbine it should be an 8digit serial number. 12,xxx,xxx (1967).

Nice get. Hope you are able to get some of the back story.

[running-man]

A very good friend of mine snagged this for me a few years ago. It has no import marks, and is completely matching inside and out. The serial number is 7 digits, and going by what I've been reading about arsenal 26, it was either produced in 67 or 68 as the first 2 digits of the serial number begin with 12XXXXX.
The sling is original to the rifle, and according to a collector who knows his stuff is North Vietnamese made with Chinese webbing. He said these types of slings are rarely seen today.

As you can see from the pics, the sling is marked "Cpl Golden, and then a number. If my information is correct, its a service number of a Marine who had served sometime between 1966 and 1973, because after that date, the Marines started using social security numbers.
My friend thinks this came from his area, and is trying to track down the original owner so I can get the back story on this. Here are some pics:

You sure it's not 8 digits, i.e. 12,xxx,xxx?  The /26\ guns were very consistent with respect to their S/N progression up until the 1.5 million/year 15 series.  This one has the inverted takedown lever consistent with a late year 12 gun which we @ SKS-Files would say is a 1967 build.  It's a very likely bringback as you've stated.  Unfortunately, many will demand papers and without them, sling or no sling, import stamp or no import stamp, patina or no patina, it will command only slightly more than any other 12 mil /26\ would.  I've seen papers take a $250 gun in poor condition and instantly turn it into a $1000 battlefield pickup.    I've given up trying to figure the market out though, it is what it is...

Nice gun though, definitely a nice addition to any collection!  Welcome to the boards! 

[Rasputin]

Yep...its 8 digits instead of 7. Does that still mean 1967 produced? As for value, I have zero plans on selling it, and am currently looking for Cpl Golden. Hopefully I can locate him because I would love to hear the back story with the rifle.

[Dillar Dog]

Nice rifle.  Hope you track him down.

[Rasputin]

Thanks! If I do, I'll let you guys know.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Looks like a nice one!   Welcome to the files...

[newchi]

Have you tried calling the NVA records dept and asking who Cpl Golden was?  With a name like that he should have stood out,rofl2

[firstchoice]

This may be an old topic already cussed and discussed, but, on these "possible bringbacks", is there any way to ask, either via FOIA or other means, what (SKS) serial numbers were actually papered back to the USA from Viet Nam? I know these forms had to have been shipped back to the states and housed somewhere. Is it possible they have been put on computer databases yet?

Which place would one inquire to that would cover all branches of service? Better question yet, what dept. handled this bringback paperwork, regardless of branch of service? It just seems to me that they would organize those files to know and record what they permitted to be "brought back"? (yes, I know this is our government I'm talking about here. But hey, they could have had one moment of clarity and competence. It (in theory) could happen. 

Just curious.

firstchoice

[Loose}{Cannon]

This is one of the best questions I have ever heard,  and I would second the idea as I would love to run a few I have.  I wouldn't know where to start, so hopefully someone has more of an idea then I.