Are certain types of T56's more desirable than others?

[spicusor]

Putting the Russian sneaks aside and not considering variables such as condition/Matching #'s. Is there any difference in desireability/worth between ghost,Sino's and other early type 56's? Thoughts?

[running-man]

I think invariably, condition and rarity are the driving factors determining collectibility of the early Type 56s. If you take out condition & matching #'s, I would rate rarity like this:

1) Soviet-Sino rifles.
2) 6 million /26\ rifles.
3) Side swivel 3 million /26\ series rifles.
4) Six digit /26\ rifles not 'DUP' stamped.
5) Other six digit /26\ rifles.
6) 2 million /26\ series.
7) 3 million /26\ series.
8.) Letter series /26\ rifles. (Certain letter subsets of these may be incredibly rare).
9) Ghost rifles.

Honestly though, I'd have a hard time judging between numbers 5-9 as the production and import numbers are pretty comparable and condition/matching numbers would probably be the main driver in these cases.  Additionally, if you're interested in the Albanian aspect of many of these rifles, rack markings on stocks as are quite rare and 'trench art' varies wildly in quality and the number of markings on any individual gun. Some consider trench art a detriment instead of a positive.

[spicusor]

Thanks for the list Running Man. I am interested in these rifles and hope to get a few of the variations before they eventually dry up.I would like to say your writings along with another member's here have taught me what I know so far about these early variations.

[Loose}{Cannon]

RM nailed it again......  I can see his head swelling from here.     

[Ol Relic]

I'll defer to RM and LC on rarity/value-the list above sounds good to me.  But if I'm thinking strictly which I like best with no regard to resale value, I'd go with Soviet-Sino number one followed by Ghosts second.  I haven't been lucky enough to find a Soviet-Sino, but I do own some Ghosts, and besides being historically very interesting, they're just top-notch guns. 

[Blicero]

I'll never pretend to know where they fit into the desirability/rarity continuum, but I find the ghosts & letters to be the most interesting.

[running-man]

Bah Blicero, you'd own a AR before you'd pull the trigger on a ratty old Chinese letter gun! 

Relic makes a great point.  I think quality-wise, you would be hard pressed to beat a ghost.  Cover over the S/N's, wood cartouche, and receiver cover stamp and I'd challenge anyone to try and consistently tell a ghost apart from an equal condition Russian.  Early on, the Chinese followed the Russian formula to a "T", used obviously Russian supplied components, and had very good Russian technical oversight and it really shows.

I think rarity is given too much weight sometimes.  Take Izhevsk guns for instance.  I still refuse to believe that a pristine '53 Izhevsk is 3-4x the gun of an equally pristine '53 Tula like the price would indicate.  That's just the world we live in I guess. 

The historical aspect of the Albanian imports has yet to be fully appreciated too I think.  Like I said above, some guys (*cough* Blicero *cough*) really see trench art as a ding on the gun and subtract accordingly while the fanboys (I guess that would be me, maybe LC too ) might give too much of a pass for Alby mods seen on them like replacement Alby stocks.  I suspect in 5 to 10 years, certain trench art, Alby replacement stock, and rack marked specimens will command a far higher price than the $200 to $300 these guns sold for in the past couple years.  At the same time, certain exceptionally poor specimens will struggle to ever gain much value beyond what a typical bubba SKS commands at the market. 

[Greasemonkey]

I think one Chinese is missing from the above list, the odd ball Public Security Forces SKS. Its one of the less common variants that's techincally a military spec weapon.

But then again, I'm sure somebody will tell me to go stand in the corner in my round room again

[Loose}{Cannon]

Putting the Russian sneaks aside and not considering variables such as condition/Matching #'s. Is there any difference in desireability/worth between ghost,Sino's and other early type 56's? Thoughts?

I'm thinking he is referencing sub 60 guns here, but I guess its all subject to what you concider 'early'. RM and I like to include the 6m in a 'early rarity' list simply because we have only ever observed around 7-8 rifles.

On the subject of PS rifles, the earliest example I have seen is an 8m.

/26 Public Security - Chinese SKS Guide

[fenceline]

I think one Chinese is missing from the above list, the odd ball Public Security Forces SKS. Its one of the less common variants that's techincally a military spec weapon.

But then again, I'm sure somebody will tell me to go stand in the corner in my round room again

I'm with you on the security force marked version. I'd throw in the stamped and cast receiver models as well.

[running-man]

If you open it up to any Type 56, I'd agree with the stamped and cast assessment, but as far as pre-1960 or even pre 1970 guns, I don't know what more could really be added to the list.

I don't know that I'd go so far as to say the P.S. marked Type 56 is terribly uncommon.  Interesting and unusual yes, but those things are all over Gunbroker all the time if you look hard enough.  It's the same with certain arsenal stamps: /0223\ guns are all over the place.  /016\, /636\ & [0138] too. 

[fenceline]

Up here we don't see many 26 guns that aren't heavily refurbed versions. My 79 is the only one of the 3 I have that is factory military original.

Most Type 56 here from recent are military surplus 306, 625 and 316 guns. I did find my 26in an import a year or so ago, but only because I requested the dealer keep an eye out for it.

My 016 SF gun had actually been a safe queen for some time. I had a wtb ad up for a 26 gun, and got offered it.

Rarity sometimes has everything to do with location and its related access.

[Loose}{Cannon]

Putting the Russian sneaks aside and not considering variables such as condition/Matching #'s. Is there any difference in desireability/worth between ghost,Sino's and other early type 56's? Thoughts?

The debate on rarity/collectability of chinese sks carbines can go on forever, but the OP was specifically talking about early guns. 

[Phosphorus32]

Rarity sometimes has everything to do with location and its related access.

Good point.  I would agree rarity is somewhat relative, dependent on geography (and time), especially in today's firearms market where each nation is an island.  Lower cost SVT-40's and SKS-45's in Canada vs. the US are excellent examples, perhaps early Type 56's, Enfields, M1 Garands, or even Mosin Nagants are counter examples of cheaper prices in the US.

The question was on Chinese Type 56's and the location of the US seemed implicit to me...no offense to our Canadian brothers and sisters  I think the early T56's are on our mind down here because they are currently available from retailers.  No doubt they will go up in value as this batch dries up, perhaps for good, and demand outstrips supply.

[fenceline]

Putting the Russian sneaks aside and not considering variables such as condition/Matching #'s. Is there any difference in desireability/worth between ghost,Sino's and other early type 56's? Thoughts?

The debate on rarity/collectability of chinese sks carbines can go on forever, but the OP was specifically talking about early guns.

Going to my round room... 

[Loose}{Cannon]

Laff...  just pushing the nose back on track a little.   

[spicusor]

Rarity sometimes has everything to do with location and its related access.

Good point.  I would agree rarity is somewhat relative, dependent on geography (and time), especially in today's firearms market where each nation is an island.  Lower cost SVT-40's and SKS-45's in Canada vs. the US are excellent examples, perhaps early Type 56's, Enfields, M1 Garands, or even Mosin Nagants are counter examples of cheaper prices in the US.

The question was on Chinese Type 56's and the location of the US seemed implicit to me...no offense to our Canadian brothers and sisters  I think the early T56's are on our mind down here because they are currently available from retailers.  No doubt they will go up in value as this batch dries up, perhaps for good, and demand outstrips supply.

You are correct about my post. However, It would be nice to know how the order of availability in Canada of the nine variations Running-Man listed in his post. Canadian's feel free to contribute!

[Loose}{Cannon]

Are you Canadian spicuser?

[Greasemonkey]

Putting the Russian sneaks aside and not considering variables such as condition/Matching #'s. Is there any difference in desireability/worth between ghost,Sino's and other early type 56's? Thoughts?

The debate on rarity/collectability of chinese sks carbines can go on forever, but the OP was specifically talking about early guns.

Going to my round room... 

Round room in the corner   The med cart lady comes around every 6hrs, so all is good. Don't hide the pill under your tounge, she checks.

[spicusor]

Are you Canadian spicuser?

No sir, If I was Marstar would have all my money.