What do I have here?

[Weldrdave]

Hello Gang,

If I asked this before, forgive me but this is one I picked up a while back in 2018.   Check out the serial number...  Thoughts?   There appears to be a /12\ in a small  broken triangle.  It also has a blade bayonet.

[running-man]

Hi Dave,

That is a Russian "sneak" SKS45 in a replacement Albanian beech stock that came in with the Albanian Chinese T56 imports back in 2014-2015.  I'm going to guess that this is an IO Inc. Monroe, NC or perhaps even an IO Inc. Palm Bay, FL import stamp that calls this a "Chinese" gun?  If it follows the pattern for a Russian sneak, it likely also has a replacement non-matching receiver cover too.

The only PE prefix I have in the database comes from an as-issued '53 which with the small amount of features I can see in your photos it could certainly be.

[Weldrdave]

Thanks RM!  It does have a replacement bolt cover, (unmarked) with a 37564 serial number on the back.  I actually have 3 of these, bought them in a group.  One of the others has a Exxxx and the other is an Hxxxx.   The H gun completely matches, everything!  The E gun has a scrubbed bolt cover.     Yes, they are Imported from North Carolina.

[Weldrdave]

If you want more pics for the Data base, you know I'll be happy to post them!  . 

[running-man]

Nice Dave!  Hang on to that Chinese letter H gun.  100% all matching versions are more the exception than the rule and not terribly common (many had replacement stocks or receiver covers).  At any rate, they certainly aren't making any more of them! 

I have a year 2 SinoBanian just like your E prefix gun.  Beautiful stock, decent finish on the metal, mismatching receiver cover...

Any photos you might want to post we're always happy to oogle over!

[Weldrdave]

Here's some pics of the (H) rifle.  As you can see, it has some "Character" and it all matches.   
Enjoy.   

[Phosphorus32]

Great SKS! I love the Albanian-used Type 56s with character 

[Weldrdave]

Ok, now I'm really screwed up!   Is this an Albanian, built in Russia, stamped in China?     Or, a Russian SKS, Albanian stock, stamped by the Importer that its Chinese?   .  Boy did they really screw with peoples heads!

[Greasemonkey]

It is a Chinese rifle and stock, made in China, based off a Russian design, and it was used and imported from Albania. The import stamp just designates the original country of manufacture.

[Weldrdave]

 .  OK!   .  Got to let this one absorb into the old head! 

[running-man]

It is a Chinese rifle and stock, made in China, based off a Russian design, and it was used and imported from Albania. The import stamp just designates the original country of manufacture.

Ya, but which one is he asking about? 

Dave,

• PE5713 is Russian made, Albanian replacement stock, imported from Albania in the 2013-2014 timeframe, importer incorrectly stamped as a Chinese SKS.
• PE1805 is Russian made, Russian original stock, imported from "Russia" (actually it likely came from stocks left in eastern Europe, but that is a whole other story) in the 1992-1994 timeframe, importer correctly stamped as a Russian SKS.
• H4819 is Chinese made, original Chinese side swivel stock, imported from Albania in the 2013-2014 timeframe, importer correctly stamped as a Chinese SKS.
  

[Weldrdave]

Thank you!  Ok, I'm get'n it now!  I have 1 more to put on here, then my head might explode! 

[Weldrdave]

Ok, here we go again; This one has all matching (except) the bolt cover.  I got all these in a "trio" buy situation, Legally and correctly.
OK, so I'm gonna guess,  A Chinese made, Albanian stock.  It does have a small /26\ but doesn't look quite right.    Waiting for the results!  .

[Greasemonkey]

You nailed it, your getting the hang of it....   E series Chinese wearing what looks like a retro fitted Albanian stock, it has some fish scaling in the wood grain(not a usual trait in Chinese stock wood), and a cool serial.. 5678. The /26 stamp is actually, fairly normal, probably someone using a worn stamp or someone was in a rush on Friday.

[Weldrdave]

Thank you very much GM!  .  yes, I'm still learning, even after 37 or 38 of them now!  .   .  What was that about having a problem... 

[running-man]

Additionally, the 5678 stamping on the Alby replacement stock is *very* atypical.  The Albys typically didn't care enough to mark them at all except on very rare occasions.  I bet I don't have more than two or three photos of Sino-Banian carbines with replacement Alby stocks and #'s on them out of the many thousands of photos on my drive.  That's a neat little carbine!  Shame about the receiver cover, but it happens. 

[Weldrdave]

Thanks RM!  . They are just the way I found them.   I found these 3 quite Interesting.  (why I didn't pass on them).  I made an offer which worked out to be $300.00 per rifle, Not including the NICS checks and all that BULL$#!T.  I've only shot the the last one here, 5678,   at 100 yards.  It was a typical 6" group spread on a full size human target,  I was happy with that.  .  I am an old guy with crappy vision also... 

[Weldrdave]

I also wanted to say, Thank you again for all the great Info here!    I think you all know how much I appreciate your wisdom.    I've purchased a few more rifles that were easy and I've followed the forum information you all put out to determine what they were.  These were a bit tricky.      Thanks all!

[Bacarnal]

Isn't that an Albanian magazine on the last one, also?

[firstchoice]

Isn't that an Albanian magazine on the last one, also?

Good eye, Bruce! I believe it is.

firstchoice