Chinese, Cold War era, 1967, SKS Type 56 Semi Automatic Carbine and Bayonet, Triangle 26, All Matching Numbers, Deactivated

*Chinese, Cold War era, 1967, SKS Type 56 Semi Automatic Carbine and Bayonet, Triangle 26, All Matching Numbers, Deactivated*

Serial No: Arsenal Triangle 26, 五六式 (56) 12166554 stamped on left of body, 66554 stamped on the top of the bolt, the bolt shoulder, the base of the trigger, the magazine house and etched on the stock. The serial number suggests this was made in 1967 when 12 million marked guns were made Sn 12,000,001-12,221,006. The Arsenal Triangle 26 is theorised to be the Jianshe Machine Tool Factory which became state owned in 1956,  part of the Norinco Group (North Industries Corporation) a Chinese state-owned defense corporation that manufactures commercial and military products. (cf: Runningman dating theory).

Overall length 102cm, 44", Barrel length: 52cm, 20".

The SKS is a gas-operated carbine with a wooden stock and a fixed ten-round magazine inside the receiver.

The Chinese Type 56 Carbine was based on the Soviet SKS (Samozaryadny Karabin sistemy Simonova). Designed by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov in 1945, it used the new Soviet M43 7.62mm cartridge, which was less powerful than rifle ammunition but more potent than pistol rounds, making it ideal for light automatic weapons. The SKS saw service after trials in 1945 but wasn't fully adopted until 1949, around the same time as the Kalashnikov assault rifle. China produced its version, the Type 56, in large quantities from 1955/1956 onwards.

The SKS features a hooded post front sight and an adjustable rear sight for distances up to 1,000 meters, with a "battle" setting at 300 meters. Its bayonet is spring-loaded and attaches under the barrel.

*Condition*
Deactivated. Bolt does not move. Considerable tarnishing and wood is fairly scarred. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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