Here's a *really* interesting one

[running-man]

This was sent in via the survey.  Unfortunately he didn't leave an email address so I couldn't get back to him, but this is a weird duck.  First photos of everything but the weirdness:






I would love to hear your guys' thoughts on this one.  I will post the weirdness tomorrow when we have a bit of discussion going as to what everyone thinks this gun is based on the above. 

[Shoot The Refurbs]

Looks like an early chinese in an alby replacement stock.

[Greatguns]

Well, butt plate at least looks Albanian. Import mark says Chinese, I've never really paid too much attention to 'hidden' stampings so can't comment on that part too much, but triangle stamps always make me think Chinese.

[Cz315]

Did the Chinese used Cyrillic proof stamps? I guess it'd make sense for the early ones if they literally took everything.

[pcke2000]

The receiver looks like Russian Tula made.

[Greatguns]

Okay, now that you got me looking closer at the proof stamps I'd have to go Russian as well unless it's a soviet-sino setup.

[Shoot The Refurbs]

The reason I said early Chinese was because the Sino-soviet connection with stampings on those early Chinese rifles being similar/same to Russian Cyrillic markings. The importer marking it as such as well drew me towards it being that rather than a Russian, It'd have to be one of the two. Perhaps a sneaky boy? 

Now I'm double taking on the stock. The double trap door setup is obviously Albanian, so I initially assumed beech wood, ie; replacement Alby stock.
I'm now questioning whether it could be a 'Chu' Chinese wood stock with an Alby butt plate replacement...?

Can't wait to see the interesting pics RM! 

[Greatguns]

Another add, the wood and finish on the stock looks Albanian or Chinese. Side sling loop would be Chinese or Albanian as they were the only ones like that with that wood grain and finish. Meaning, what North Vietnamese and North Korean we have seen have a different wood and finish to them.

[pcke2000]

The receiver is labeled with Tula Factory symbol and Tula unique quality control/proof marks.

[Greasemonkey]

Maybe..... it's another.. Soviet Sino

[Greatguns]

Maybe..... it's another.. Soviet Sino

Or is it...a Sino-Soviet!!!    Yeah, I am weird that way

[Justin Hell]

Soviet Sinobanian

[Bob_The_Student]

Oh boy I can't wait....

If RM is playing teasers this has to be good!

[Phosphorus32]

Soviet receiver or first 2K Type 56 with a definite Albanian beech stock. Looking forward to the punchline. 

[Greasemonkey]

Sinoslavainian Rusbanian 

[Bob_The_Student]

OK, what is this is on a Mosin? And RM is making arrangements to buy it? 

[Boris Badinov]

I see an late soviet or early Chinese receiver in an Albanian replacement stock.

If had to guess about the weirdness...
Maybe it will have an Albanian handguard and associated implications?

Or better yet, a Soviet sneak re-outfitted with an Albanian stock?

Or even better yet, both.

[pcke2000]

I see an late soviet or early Chinese receiver in an Albanian replacement stock.

If had to guess about the weirdness...
Maybe it will have an Albanian handguard and associated implications?

Or better yet, a Soviet sneak re-outfitted with an Albanian stock?

Or even better yet, both.

I know nothing about Chinese SKS. My question is, are early Chinese SKS receivers stamped with Soviet factory symbol? Thanks!

[Boris Badinov]

I see an late soviet or early Chinese receiver in an Albanian replacement stock.

If had to guess about the weirdness...
Maybe it will have an Albanian handguard and associated implications?

Or better yet, a Soviet sneak re-outfitted with an Albanian stock?

Or even better yet, both.

I know nothing about Chinese SKS. My question is, are early Chinese SKS receivers stamped with Soviet factory symbol? Thanks!

Yes, very early chinese guns have soviet inspection.stamps. i think only in the first year. Possibly just the soviet star carbines.

But possibly some early ghosts?

[Boris Badinov]

I misread you question p2000.

First ~2,000 -2,100 chinese guns have the soviet star on the receiver. Presumably Soviet made.

Then in the mid 2000 serial range the ghost guns start. No Star and No arsenal stamp until ~213k.  Iirc.