The Rare Chinese Stamped Receiver SKS

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In 1970 and 1971, China experimented with a stamped-receiver version of the SKS. About 6,000 of these rifles were made each of the two years, and a number of them have come into the US as commercial exports.

We don't have any official records from China about this program, but it seems clear that this was an experiment to reduce the production cost of what was originally a relatively expensive, time consuming rifle to make. It's easy to think of the SKS as cheap because of the prices they Brough in the US for many years, but in truth the SKS was a very 1940s sort of design with all milled parts. It is only the massive economy of scale from Chinese production capacity that made them cheap on the American market.

Anyway, circe 1970 China experimented with this stamped design, as well as a cast receiver. The stamped guns are most easily distinguished by the two rivets connecting the front trunnion to the receiver, which are half visible above the line of the stock. This example was made by factory 0138, but examples are also documented form factories 0139, 0144, and 0145. The only dates known are 70 and 71. In addition to the stamped receiver, these guns use cast rear sight blocks and gas blocks.

Thanks to Christian for lending me this cool rare version of the SKS to film for you!

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