STRANGE SKS

[GORDO]

hello.. im hoping someone can help me identify my third sks i just purchased at a garage sale,arsenal 9696 with a serial number of Ior130770E, its got a stamped trigger mech. and pinned barrel,type 56,
im guessing eighties prod but the serial # doesnt match up. confused, hoping someone here can help..thanks

[Loose}{Cannon]

Post up some pictures of the receiver marks etc....   

[GORDO]

can anybody tell me something about these markings

[GORDO]

this one might show better

[Justin Hell]

(9696) is the 'factory' designation, the Chinese characters translate to Type 56...the serial doesn't seem off base for a late production factory.  I don't know if the Ior portion of the original post was a typo, that was the only thing that seemed weird to me.  More detailed pics of the gun would be nice though....various components, and serialized areas.  Check the gas tube and piston for electropenciled (hand engraved) numbers that should match the last four or five numbers from the serial.

The E suffix on the serial is a source of widespread speculation, it could be added by the importer if any other imported gun previously had the same serial (even if it wasn't an SKS) or it could be something the Chinese did for some unknown reason, they usually appear to be a separate striking from the serial.  They are pretty common additions...the reasons have yet to be nailed down for absolute certainty.

Do you have the original stock or did it come only with the aftermarket Combat Exchange stock?

[GORDO]

it came in that combat arms stock, all numbers match everywhere,including penciling on gas piston, been able to trace my other sks's just not this one, might have to call polytech and see if they have any info, but again thanks for the info, much appreciated!

[running-man]

Hey Gordo!  Welcome to the boards.

The (9696) guns I've tracked all seem to be from the 1.3 mil prefix with the highest being 1,310,2xx, all with pinned barrels (I'm assuming yours is as well).  I would tend to agree with you that the 1.3 mil prefix could be out of place on these and it *may* very well not point to a 1968 produced carbine.  On the other hand however, we have several solid examples of guns being mass produced at numerous other small arsenals by 1970 and of course AK production, with their pinned barrels was in full swing throughout the country.  There was also a huge quantity of 13 mil guns produced at /26\ with short lugs, and short lug 1.4 mil guns that were produced at /625\, indicating that there was obviously a transition taking place and the pinned barrel SKS hadn't truly won over the military complex yet. 

I personally think that the oval (9696) shop was a pilot run of pinned barrel SKS so they could see how they could improve their processes beyond the material expensive threaded lug barrels.  We see this kind of 'test it out' pattern again in the rectangle [0138] runs of stamped receiver guns in 1970. 

KFS/Polytech should have detailed info on it.  It will probably cost you $50 for the certificate though, and even then they might not be able to tell you when exactly it was made.  Still, it's probably better than a bunch of guesses from guys over the net though!

[GORDO]

its funny, i got an 0138 also, shorter barrel lug,threaded barrel and milled trigger group, trying to show pics , gotta give me a few though, but still very interesting info, iknew you guys were good!but DANG!!


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[GORDO]

[GORDO]

and this is a whole view

[GORDO]

one more from the sexy side!

[running-man]

Gordo, that is a beauty right there!

Some of the small arsenals churned out some really nice ones!   

We think that '76' prefix stands for 1976. Many of the small arsenals, especially the rectangle and diamonds changed from an nth year of production to an XX year code in the period of 1970-76.