Help IDing this recent aquisition

[Whiskey6eod]

Well, new to me - picked up today at LGS. Always appreciate the help. Thanks in advance.












THanks again.

[Whiskey6eod]

If this should be somewhere else - please advise and I'll relocate it.

[Power Surge]

17 prefix serial, so most likely a 1972 produced rifle. Can't make out the arsenal triangle... does it say 636? Because if it does, it matches the 636 on the box label which would be very interesting.

[Whiskey6eod]

Yes, It's a 636.

[Greatguns]

I concur with PS, 1972 636 in OG box. Very nice. If you don't mind telling, what did you give for it?

[running-man]

Who's the importer of this one whiskey?  That actually looks like a KFS or perhaps a Poly USA box to me...

[Whiskey6eod]

Hey all - I don't mind saying I gave $699 for it. I didn't know it had the box and all until he brought it out of the back.

Tell me where to look for the importer markings - because I can't find a thing. I guess I don't know where to look. Nothing jumps out at me.

[running-man]

For the older imports, the typical prime spot was on the receiver proper (either left or right side), though many importers chose other less conspicuous areas.  The barrel beneath the gas tube is a relatively decent hiding spot as is the barrel area covered by the closed bayonet.  Before 1986ish, importers marked removable parts with import stamps such as on the receiver cover or in truly hidden areas like the top of the receiver under the receiver cover (literally invisible until the gun was disassembled).  Other importers used 1/32" tall text that is very difficult to read without magnification or utilized an etching process that did not go very deep into the metal and was subsequently relatively easy to buff out. The ATF quickly determined these to be inconsistent with the CFR and issued a directive mandating the necessary information, size, depth, and location of the import stamp on imported firearms. 

[Whiskey6eod]

you nailed it - under the cleaning rod, under the bayonet. KFS

[Bacarnal]

Nice find since it's hard, now a days, to find one with the original box.  Cheers, Bruce.