Know the production details of a Norinco SKS and increase its market value. Learn more about this Chinese SKS rifle in this article, and use this knowledge to your advantage!
RELATED: Zeroing Hunting Techniques For Rifles Explained
Norinco SKS Production | Handy Info to Keep in Your Back Pocket
Know Your Norinco SKS
Norinco SKS has one of the most difficult-to-find manufacturing dates of all the SKS rifles. These guns distributed by Chinese factories are old.
What is an SKS rifle? It is a semi-automatic weapon that fires rounds that measure 7.62x39mm. A Russian weapons designer, Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov, invented it.
The Chinese SKS rifle began in Russian factories during the fifties and sixties. When trade agreements and political alliances developed, Russia started overseeing the production of these firearms throughout China.
Financing and managing these factories were the Russians’ jobs until they left them to the Chinese. These days, doing a Norinco SKS serial number lookup is easy online.
The Chinese marked each rifle with a factory symbol stamp along with an SKS 4-digit serial number. The challenge is this: the countries that received these rifles from China didn’t have most of the documents with the production details.
So far, two general types of Norinco SKS rifles have come from China. These included the Typ 56 SKS or the Chinese Military SKS. These were government-issued weapons.
The other was for civilian purchase. It was only available in a semi-automatic version with a dulled bayonet.
If you want to know the production information of a Chinese SKS rifle, the following may come in handy.
- Original SKS Butt Stock Cleaning Kit
- Functional, designed for the SKS rifle
- Works great in conjunction with cleaning rod
Production Date and Factory Location
The symbol is one of the first things to look at when you want to know the production date of a Norinco SKS rifle. It can identify the timeframe and factory location of the weapon’s production.
An online diagram will help match the SKS markings and rifle worth. The symbol indicates which factory the rifle came from and an estimate of the production date.
For example, most of the Chinese SKS for sale may come from Factory 26. Many of these rifles have a variety of symbols that all lead back to the same factory.
Note, though, these symbols will only give you a rough estimate of the production decade. There were only about 24 million SKS rifles produced throughout China.
If the SKS matching serial numbers are in the first million, then those rifles would have between 1971 and 1978 as production years.
RELATED: The AK-47 Rifle: An Intro to the Timeless Russian Weapon
Other SKS
The origin of SKS rifles produced in other countries is easier to find. They tend to provide adequate documentation of their production facilities during trade agreements.
A quick online search for SKS rifles comes from countries other than Russia. You only need to type in the make, model, and serial number.
- Standard 1911 picatinny rail dimensions
Stock Condition and Aftermarket SKS Accessories
Sourcing a rifle’s production time includes researching the monetary value of that rifle. The Norinco SKS price can remain the same if the gun is in stock. Its parts should also be original and in good condition.
These include the wood, bayonet, and internal components. If all the serial numbers match the engravings on the lower assembly, shoulder stock, and barrel, then the value of that SKS should hold.
Firearms owners who customize their SKS rifles with composite furniture, aftermarket rails, optics, forward pistol grips, and upgraded trigger assemblies usually assume their rifle’s monetary value goes up.
But this is not always the case.
Watch this video by Alden Morris to know more about dating your Norinco Chinese SKS:
Many of these SKS rifles are no longer in large-scale production. It explains why they are quickly becoming collectible classics.
How to Identify Norinco SKS Production Date
Determining the production date of a Norinco SKS rifle involves careful examination and analysis. Here are some methods you can use to find the manufacturing year of your SKS rifle:
- Serial Number Analysis: The serial number provides crucial information that can help identify the production date. You can extract the manufacturing year by understanding the serial number pattern and decoding it.
- Date Code Markings: Norinco SKS rifles often feature date code markings that indicate the year of production. These markings can be found on various rifle parts, such as the receiver, bolt carrier, or trigger assembly.
- Factory Stampings: Examining factory stampings and markings can offer valuable clues about the production date. These stamps are typically found on the receiver and other components and may include specific codes or symbols indicating the year of manufacture.
- Features and Design Changes: Norinco SKS rifles underwent various design changes and modifications throughout their production history. By understanding these changes and their associated production periods, you can narrow down the manufacturing year of your rifle.
Common Mistakes in Dating Norinco SKS
While determining the production date of Norinco SKS rifles, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes and misconceptions. Avoiding these errors will help ensure accurate dating. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:
- Misidentifying SKS Production Year: Misidentifying the specific year of manufacture is a common error due to the various factors that can influence production dates. To establish an accurate production date, it’s crucial to consider multiple indicators, such as serial numbers, date code markings, and design features.
- Relying Solely on Serial Numbers: While the serial number provides vital information, it’s not the only factor to consider. Serial numbers can sometimes be ambiguous or inconsistent. Cross-referencing with other indicators, such as date code markings and design changes, helps ensure accuracy.
- Ignoring Manufacturing Records: Norinco SKS rifles were produced in large quantities, and it’s possible to find manufacturing records or documentation for certain models or batches. Ignoring these records can lead to missed opportunities for accurate dating.
- Lack of Authentication: Without proper authentication, confirming the originality and production date of a Norinco SKS rifle is challenging. Consulting experts, reputable sources, or professional appraisers can provide additional insights and help authenticate your firearm.
If you own a Norinco SKS, maintaining it in its original condition will guarantee you can hold its real value in the market. To further increase its worth, ensure you know the provenance of your SKS rifles.
Do you have your own collection of the Norinco SKS? Let us know in the comments section below!
Up Next:
- KCI USA AK47 Korean Mags Explained
- Rifle Shooting Tips & Techniques | 11 Surprising Things New Rifle Shooters Need To Know
- Ultimate Backpacking Checklist for Beginners
- Taurus Judge Ammo Types: Top 9 Best Types of Ammo Used in Taurus Judge
- Pink Handgun | Top 9 Pink Handguns for You
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Disclaimer: All content on this site is for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer here.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 18, 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
The Spike Bayonet on one that a friend of mine has is not dulled, and it came out of the Cosmoline and paper wrap like that. It’s bone stock except for a removable buttstock extension to improve length of pull.
The metal work is flawless and it runs great. Those that badrap Norinco small arms metallurgy don’t know what they’re talking about. The guy also has a Norinco 1911A1 that’s really nice and was freely available in The USA before the Commie pervert rat Bill Clinton put a stop to Chinese small arms importation
Your Republicans have been in power since January, and I notice they have done squat about repealing the import ban. Oh, that’s right, the gun makers who fund the NRA are only interested in selling their guns, not your rights when it comes to foreign competition.
BTW – The SKS is a great Communist rifle that the Viet Cong used with great effect in killing American Imperialist scum while liberating their country from our puppet in Hanoi.
Yo, Slobbermouth…the Grunts on the ground in Viet Nam were made to be there, and some volunteered because they were brainwashed with The Official Feral Gubbamint Jive and Lies.
The ZOG “Imperialist scum” were, and their descendants are,The Deep State string pullers that are NOT Americans; the bastards are just here to rip off as much as they can…for their unclean pleasure and that of the illegitimate terror state of Israel.
Flush out your headgear…and SNAP OUT OF IT !
The grunts on the ground were baby killers. The only honorable options with Vietnam were either to escape to Canada, or refuse to serve, and go to prison. The day some shit-bag set foot in-country, they willingly joined a war crime. The fact that you are a Nazi piece of shit becomes obvious from your ZOG bullshit. Your ZOG is just Jewish folks being effective Capitalists, and better than in-bred fools like you.
Choke to death on your Shabbos Goyim servile, bullshit buying, stooge bile and vitriol, you raving sub-genius, Proto-Commie dumbass PoS.
So you’re admitting to be a Nazi piece of shit? Grear, we won’t even think of sending any of your family for re-education. Thank you comrade for volunteering everyone related to you for a life of mine clearing!
Drop dead, Asshole; do it today.
Sorry, can’t do that. My rabbi taught me suicide is a sin, although helping a Nazi pos like you die would be a mitzvah. On top of that, the Party only allows suicide in the course of a mission to destroy Capitalism!
Commie Bottom Boi, feces smearer, jizz gargler sez…WHUT ?
You are amazingly stupid. Especially since you are a Fascist piece of shit using the name of a band full of leftists. Let me guess, you’re the asshole that everybody at the range hates because your weapons discharge at random!
Wrong again, Corporal Assmonkey.
I’m done with your raving, psycho excuse for a personality.
So, stop hanging around the trashcans in back of my place; and hit the road back to Nowheresville, the place where you were randomly spawned…and are commonly known as a knob gobbler.
The ability to express yourself without vulgarity or swearing is a strong indication of intelligence. You guys must have IQ’s in the lower 40’s.
58,260 dead Vs 2.5 million dinks. Scoreboard boy, scoreboard. In military terms that’s a massacre.
Yes, America loves to slaughter people who dare to refuse to bend the knee to them. Still, they drove America out, united their country under Communism, and are still in power.
Mad props to my Communist comrades!
Japs, you forgot to mention nuking Japs. Roll on troll!
I just purchased a NIB never fired with all the accessories *except the bayonet* SKS. The offical letter banning the bayonet was in the box too. At least 2020 had one excellent moment 🙂 A nice add to my collection.
I have a unissued never fired with a bayonet still in the original box