SKS

[cruzans]

I picked up a Chinese Norinco SKS at the gun show last week for $ 250 - good considering they are going for $ 400, $ 500 plus now - not so good seeing they were $ 100 a few years back ! A question for anyone that knows about sks's - the gun has all matching numbers, and my friend noticed and pointed out that the number is 00042 and asked, could this really be the 42nd one made ? Not sure even if a low number would mean anything seeing it's such a cheap gun anyway - lol ? Just curious.
Thanks
Steve

[LisaA]

Go to this link:

http://www.yooperj.com/

If the link does not take you to the right page, on the left click on "SKS." Then scroll down and find "page 24 more info - What year was my SKS made? NEW."

[Burnsie]

^^ What she said.

You're might have been a early number in the batch it was made. Each Series and year has a letter at the beginning of the serial corresponding to when it was made.

Let us know the info though.

-Burnsie

[cruzans]

Thanks for the responses and the website Lisa - unfortuneatly, nothing matches ? The site does say the Chinese one's are the hardest to figure out. I looked a little closer, and the only other markings are before the 00042, no markings, just stamped with DP 23 00042
I'll keep looking around for fun !
Thanks again !

[LisaA]

23 + 1956 = 1979

I think this is right. Does anybody want to double check my calculation, using the Web site?

[nfafan]

Hold on...

Supposedly the "Factory 26" guns were the only ones that remotely come close to falling under the secret CHICOM SKS Decoder Ring, and that was because the Russians of all people provided inside info as to assemblage practices at the factory they built for the Red Chinese.

Everything else is supposedly hit or miss as to dating a CHICOM SKS as every freakin hamlet had an SKS factory.

It is because of this inability to solidly date the CHICOM guns, plus the lack of Chinese cooperation in providing said info, plus the fact they were still reportedly making SKS rifles up into the 80's or beyond - - that disallows the CHICOM SKS guns from becoming C&R in the foreseeable future.

Try the Survivor's SKS board as those folks live this stuff.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php

and

http://www.yooperj.com/SKS.htm

and

http://www.victorinc.com/SKS-FAQ.html#_Toc167103923

And congrats on buying what is arguably the best non-Soviet SKS made.

[Fragger]

There is information available on the DP and DB marked SKS most of which is speculation. One source claims these were destined for Pakistan and the markings on his firearm translated to: "White 56 Model".

Also: Trying to date anything other then a Factory /26\ cannot be done with any reliability.