Another NK for the list-- gunboards link

[Boris Badinov]

I did not see this one on the NK serial number list.

It's in very rough shape, and wearing a replacement Chinese spike bayo stock. Other parts are also non matching but not clear if those parts are NK or Chinese (or other).

https://www.gunboards.com/threads/north-korean-sks-found-in-wild-but-rough.1422717/?post_id=11688771&nested_view=1#post-11688771

[running-man]

Rough gun and a wild story.  I agree with your analysis for the most part Boris. That stock is certainly NK, may even be the original to that carbine...to bad it's been refinished though.  The odd Chinese parts likely were replaced in theater but makes me wonder if a good portion of the rust damage occurred due to improper storage in the US after bringback and then the GI or a relative attempted to 'restore' it.  Either way I'm at a loss to explain why the gas tube is in such good condition though whereas the barrel exterior in that general area looks like a corroded sewer pipe.  Replacement of it stateside (along with the stock/handguard paint job) is indeed the more likely explanation as corrosion causing that much heavy pitting on the barrel might have completely eaten through the thin gas tube metal rendering it a complete loss sans the handguard. 

[Boris Badinov]

IMHO I think it's more likely that some or all of the Chinese replacement parts were added post import. The mismatched carrier and bolt are in similarly good condition as the gas tube. But all of the replacement parts were abundant in the '84-'93 early import market and still are.

I find it difficult imagine that a soldier would bring home a rifle in so rough a condition as that. And it seems more likely that the bulk of the corrosion was acquired post "import', and that the pattern of extreme corrosion on the lower portion is a result of poor handling (sweat and skin oil), lack of cleaning, and improper long term storage.

The rifle strikes me as an attempted revival project, where a previous owner acquired just those parts that would have been needed to get the rifle functioning again-- bolt, carrier, piston tube, springs and pistons.

Whether or not the revival was a success i cannot say. But I firmly believe that the corrosion was nowhere near as severe when the revival was attempted.

 

[running-man]

Whether or not the revival was a success i cannot say. But I firmly believe that the corrosion was nowhere near as severe when the revival was attempted.

100% agree with this. It is too bad they let the carbine get to this state though.