Chinese SKS Type 56 7.62×39 with Spiker Bayonets
Military Surplus Chinese Type 56 SKS 7.62×39 with Spiker Bayonets
“These Military Surplus Chinese Type 56 SKS 7.62×39 with the Spiker Bayonets are authentic Vietnam Era Military Surplus Chinese Type 56 SKS rifles, manufactured at the #26 Jianshe Arsenal factory. This lot of rifles was stored in a neutral country for the last 20 years, so they are able to be imported and available to the public now!” [3 PALMETTO]
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Specifications
- Caliber: 7.62x39mm
- Barrel Length: 20″
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Frame: Steel Frame w/ Wooden Stock
- Magazine Capacity: 10rds
- Magazine Type: Fixed
- Sights: Adjustable Iron Sights
- Bayonet: Spike Bayonet
- Cleaning Rod: Rifles may or may not come with a cleaning rod, although most do
- Condition: Military Turn-In Rifle; Condition Varies
The SKS 7.62 x 39
“Developed by famed firearms engineer Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, the SKS was the result of a new approach to not only small arms design but also cartridge configuration. Beginning in the late 1930s, the Soviets set about developing what we would now term an “intermediate cartridge,” concurrent with the efforts of the Germans who were developing their 7.92x33mm round. Upon its appearance, the new Soviet cartridge was dubbed the M43 (to indicate its year of appearance). Eventually becoming the 7.62x39mm we know today, the M43 found its home in a self-loading carbine Simonov had developed, which featured a 10-round magazine and a folding bayonet. Produced in 1944 and sent to frontline troops for battlefield testing, the carbine proved to be a hit with the Soviet troops (no doubt due to its low recoil and semi-automatic operation). Simonov continued refining and perfecting the design after the war’s end, recognizing that it could still serve an important role with the Red Army. The resulting weapon was the SKS. However, the SKS’ days as a frontline military rifle were numbered, as the detachable-box-magazine-fed AK-47 would soon take its place. Despite this, the SKS went on to serve with Communist and aligned forces worldwide during the Cold War and was produced outside Russia in such locations as Romania, East Germany and, as a result of early Sino-Soviet amity, even the People’s Republic of China, where it was produced as the Type 56.” [1 TACTICAL LIFE]
“In the 1950s, the SKS would be adopted and put into production by Yugoslavia, Romania, China, Albania, North Korea, East Germany and, to a small extent, North Vietnam. Chinese production dwarfed the rest, with millions made for both the People’s Liberation Army and for export or foreign military aid. A great many Chinese SKS carbines have come into the United States, along with many from the other nations that adopted them.” [2 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN]
“The SKS is a semi-automatic-only design chambered for the 7.62×39 mm cartridge. The locking system uses a tilting-bolt operated by a short-stroke gas piston. Folding bayonets of both the blade and spike types were used depending on the specific model, although in many cases they were removed for importation into the United States. Variations are relatively few in the SKS, with some short-barreled and AK-magazine-fitted versions made commercially in China (as well as a stamped-receiver version), and a grenade-launching version made by Yugoslavia. Other variations differ in markings and aesthetic details only.” [2 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN]
“While many may turn their noses up at the SKS because of its low cost and perceived status as cheap foreign junk, it is actually a well-designed and well-made Cold War workhorse with more in common with the American M14 than many would like to admit.” [2 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN]
The Chinese Type 56 SKS 7.62×39
“Although SKS carbines are generally becoming rare on the market, the Chinese variants (due to misguided import restrictions on Chinese military arms) have become quite difficult to find. So when I saw that Century Arms had located a small batch of Chinese military Type 56 SKS carbines, I jumped and put in an order immediately. As a caveat, the rifles as listed were available in a variety of conditions. These ranged from “poor and incomplete” to “good with cracked stock.” Obviously, none of these were going to be museum quality, but considering their relative rarity these days I was perfectly fine with the situation. So, my order went in for one rated at the best condition available.” [1 TACTICAL LIFE]
“The Type 56 I received was just what I expected. The stock of the carbine was gouged over much of its surface and had significant portions of finish worn away. However, it appeared to be free of any notable cracks or severe damage. The metal on the carbine was a mixed bag. There was heavy wear on all the sharp edges with scratches all over, but the metal was mostly free of rust (except for a few spots on the right side of the gas piston base and on the barrel below it). Strangely, the tip of the bayonet was bent as though the rifle had been dropped on it when it was deployed. All serial numbers on the carbine matched.” [1 TACTICAL LIFE]
“Referencing the excellent book The SKS Carbine (CKC45g) by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer, I set about researching the provenance of this SKS. I quickly determined it was an early production gun, featuring a milled triggerguard and a threaded-in barrel. It also features a chrome-lined barrel, which had helped keep the condition of the bore quite good. Using the book’s reference guide on Chinese Type 56 SKS manufacturer codes, I located a “26” inside a triangle and determined that the rifle was manufactured at Factory 26 (Jianshe Arsenal), located in the city of Chongqing. The serial number on the receiver had a “3” preceding the primary serial number that matched throughout all the parts on the rest of the SKS. According to Kehaya’s and Poyer’s book, this indicated that my SKS was built in the third year of production, which was 1959.” [1 TACTICAL LIFE]
“These are authentic Vietnam Era Military Surplus Chinese Type 56 SKS rifles, manufactured at the #26 Jianshe Arsenal factory. This lot of rifles was stored in a neutral country for the last 20 years, so they are able to be imported and available to the public now! Unique, battle-worn characteristics define this classic SKS rifle as they have everything from wear marks, scars, and even some have amazing trench art etched into the wooden stock. These rifles were stored with heavy amounts of cosmoline in order to protect them from rust and other environmental factors over the decades. The rifles come complete with spiker-style bayonets, a ten-round box magazine, and adjustable iron sights.” [3 PALMETTO]
“These rifles will vary in condition. The image above represents a range of conditions that are common for these military turn-in SKS rifles. Each rifle is going to be sold as-is and we are not offering hand-picked selections for purchases. All rifles are complete and fully functional but will need to be cleaned thoroughly prior to usage.” [3 PALMETTO]
“In regards to the varying condition of the stocks, we have found some with just minor scratches and dings and others with dents, gouges, and cracks caused by battle use and storage. The metal components were very well preserved by the cosmoline, and the functionality will reflect that.” [3 PALMETTO]
Works Cited:
1. “Chinese-Type SKS Rifle 56 7.62x39mm.” Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews. Last modified October 15, 2013. https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/chinese-type-sks-rifle-56-7-62x39mm-2/.
2. “Exploded View: SKS Carbine.” American Rifleman | Official Journal Of The NRA. Accessed June 6, 2020. https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/2/7/exploded-view-sks-carbine/.
3. “Access Denied.” Access Denied | Palmettostatearmory.com Used Cloudflare to Restrict Access. Accessed June 6, 2020. https://palmettostatearmory.com/chinese-type-56-sks-7-62×39-military-surplus-rifle-w-spiker-bayonet.html.