Chinese Type 56 SKS Survey V2.0

[running-man]

I just wanted to announce that I got the streamlined and optimized version 2.0 of the comprehensive Chinese SKS survey up and running last night.  It appears to be working correctly, but I'm sure I will still find bugs as time moves on and entries come in. 

One major difference between this survey and the original version is that this one requires a legible photo of the arsenal stamp and receiver S/N (with the final digit obscured if desired).  I found that the data entered into the survey must be verified with photo evidence if it's going to be of real use in our research.

Anyhow, the link for the survey is http://form.jotform.us/form/41858512574158  Try it out and let me know what you think?  It definitely takes far less time an the data is still extremely useful.

It can also be reached by clicking on the button in my signature. 

Finally, it is available via the Chinese SKSGuide located at http://chinesesks.weebly.com/

[GuitarmanNick]

Just finished entering the information on mine. His name is Charlie Chan! 

[Boris Badinov]

RM--

Hypothetically, if I recently acquuired a rifle which was uploaded by a previous owner (or in some other fashion) will it show up as already listed?

Or would I have to enter the serials and photos without knowing if the info is already in the data base?

[running-man]

Just finished entering the information on mine. His name is Charlie Chan! 

Nice!  How did you find taking the survey?  About how long did it take you?

[running-man]

RM--

Hypothetically, if I recently acquuired a rifle which was uploaded by a previous owner (or in some other fashion) will it show up as already listed?

Or would I have to enter the serials and photos without knowing if the info is already in the data base?

I only have the free Jotform account, so I don't believe that I can compare the values entered vs. my database in realtime before the form is submitted. I've seen a few double entered guns, but it really hasn't been much of an issue.  It's quite easy to delete obsolete entries if/when needed.

[Boris Badinov]

RM--

Hypothetically, if I recently acquuired a rifle which was uploaded by a previous owner (or in some other fashion) will it show up as already listed?

Or would I have to enter the serials and photos without knowing if the info is already in the data base?

I only have the free Jotform account, so I don't believe that I can compare the values entered vs. my database in realtime before the form is submitted. I've seen a few double entered guns, but it really hasn't been much of an issue.  It's quite easy to delete obsolete entries if/when needed.

got it.

Thanks.

also, I have not acquired any new rifles this year.

[GuitarmanNick]

Just finished entering the information on mine. His name is Charlie Chan! 

Nice!  How did you find taking the survey?  About how long did it take you?

It took about 5 minutes to complete and was laid out nicely. I already had my receiver out of the stock as I am doing a little touch up on the finish. Nice job, sir!

[Loose}{Cannon]

Nice.   

[Greasemonkey]

No option for a star stamp... I mean they do exist.

[running-man]

No option for a star stamp... I mean they do exist.

Yeah took all that stuff out. No more checking for precision degree, or to see if its a k sports green composite stock. Straight military sks with a few commercial options sprinkled about in there.

One thing I realize I forgot is looking for a milled/cast/bulbous nose gas block. I'll need to enter that at some point. 

[running-man]

Ok, I got all the gas blocks input.  I broke it down into different types, cast and milled and then within cast there are 6 variations that I could make out.  They are quite different from each other, and I suspect this list will grow as we find new specimens (and I have more time to go through my files, this was what I found during a quick cursory search over my lunch break):

[Loose}{Cannon]

I only see two types of cast blocks.   

[Loose}{Cannon]

I see bulbous and non-bulbous cast versions...  Just a matter of who cleaned up the casting.

[running-man]

I guess it depends on what type of details we want to focus on. 

Numbers 1, 2, & 3 and 4, 5, & 6 are similar to each other but they have differences that go beyond finishing.  The molds were different for each one.  Different diameters, different lengths, section thicknesses, etc.

I've been looking through rear sight leafs.  I assumed they were all pretty much the same with only a few variations like we see in the Russians, but man when you really look for differences there are 50 different versions!  I might be trending too detail oriented...that's what bit me in the last version of the survey.   

[Loose}{Cannon]

I might be trending too detail oriented

You said it, not me.   

[newchi]

You do have to take into consideration (presumably), the first cast/stamping is going to look a lot different to the last one where Wong Ching (thats joe bubba in chinese) decides the mould/form is pooched and needs changing.

Also i only see 3 cast variations
 

[running-man]

You do have to take into consideration (presumably), the first cast/stamping is going to look a lot different to the last one where Wong Ching (thats joe bubba in chinese) decides the mould/form is pooched and needs changing.

Also i only see 3 cast variations
 

If they were an investment sand casting, the first one should look the same as the 10000th one.  I see 6, LC only sees two...   The differences in the 6 are not minor and aren't caused by simple differences in finishing.  I could maybe be persuaded that 1 & 3 are the same, but the other 5 have some pretty noticeable geometric differences. 

I might be trending too detail oriented

You said it, not me.   

Story of my life, I'll pull it down to only two casting choices on the survey. 
Impossible to guarantee that the guys taking the survey would be able to tell the difference anyhow... 

[newchi]

i would say there is the thin edge, (1,2,3) wide edge (4,5) and no edge(6)
But what you really have are the results of 6 different machine shops in far flung corners of the country making parts at various times i would guess.
And if you had every sks china ever made in front of you you could probably add a couple of zeros to the number of variations. (eventually).