Archived Posts » 60,595,333
Egyptian Contract SKS
12/7/2010 9:31:42 AM
Just introducing my latest acquisiton! The Chinese Type 56, Egyptian Contract SKS.
I'm trying to do a bit of research on these, and will welcome any input (pictures, serial number ranges) from members of AR15.com add to the data base if possible. Here are some general indicators.
1. Most, if not all, are Factory /26\ Chinese guns from the 9, 12, and possibly 13 million serial number range ('65, '68 and the '69 which has yet to be confirmed with pics from an owner)
2. The majority of them had dark blued, almost black, factory bolt carriers. But a few of them had bolt carriers in the white.
3. The majority were fitted with refurbished Russian laminated stocks. Some with laminated handguards, others with normal Chinese wood handguards. A very few of the blued bolt 65's were fitted with roughly finished Chinese furniture. The '65 versions had only the blade bayonet cut in the stock. The later versions were cut for both a blade and spike bayonet. It is possible, but not confirmed, that some were also fitted with China's own version of a laminated stock.
4. Some specimens that were known to be issued in Egypt had white painted arabic markings on the right side buttstock.
5. There are no specific acceptance stamps on the metal to indicate the Egyptian connection, so the receiver has only Chinese identifiers. But the blued bolt, specific years, and Russian stocks are very likely the best identifying characteristics.
6. All seem to be CAI St Albans, VT imported. Some also bore the Norinco stamp.
Anyway. Here are some more pics.
Spike and blade bayo cut.
Blued bolt compared to Russian painted black bolt
Russian stock comparisons (Egyptian on left)
Mine is a 12 million serial range, 1968, and has both the Norinco and CAI stamp.
Any and all comments, additional information, and input welcome! Thanks for looking.
I'm trying to do a bit of research on these, and will welcome any input (pictures, serial number ranges) from members of AR15.com add to the data base if possible. Here are some general indicators.
1. Most, if not all, are Factory /26\ Chinese guns from the 9, 12, and possibly 13 million serial number range ('65, '68 and the '69 which has yet to be confirmed with pics from an owner)
2. The majority of them had dark blued, almost black, factory bolt carriers. But a few of them had bolt carriers in the white.
3. The majority were fitted with refurbished Russian laminated stocks. Some with laminated handguards, others with normal Chinese wood handguards. A very few of the blued bolt 65's were fitted with roughly finished Chinese furniture. The '65 versions had only the blade bayonet cut in the stock. The later versions were cut for both a blade and spike bayonet. It is possible, but not confirmed, that some were also fitted with China's own version of a laminated stock.
4. Some specimens that were known to be issued in Egypt had white painted arabic markings on the right side buttstock.
5. There are no specific acceptance stamps on the metal to indicate the Egyptian connection, so the receiver has only Chinese identifiers. But the blued bolt, specific years, and Russian stocks are very likely the best identifying characteristics.
6. All seem to be CAI St Albans, VT imported. Some also bore the Norinco stamp.
Anyway. Here are some more pics.
Spike and blade bayo cut.
Blued bolt compared to Russian painted black bolt
Russian stock comparisons (Egyptian on left)
Mine is a 12 million serial range, 1968, and has both the Norinco and CAI stamp.
Any and all comments, additional information, and input welcome! Thanks for looking.
12/9/2010 5:31:17 PM
I guess these are a bit more rare than I thought! 
12/9/2010 9:07:25 PM
I guess they are the world's first parts kit guns.
12/10/2010 9:55:40 AM
Very nice! I'm always looking for different variants, but have never run across one of those.
12/10/2010 12:17:04 PM
Originally Posted By Eli75:
Very nice! I'm always looking for different variants, but have never run across one of those.
Very nice! I'm always looking for different variants, but have never run across one of those.
That's what I'm finding out, Eli. I have a similar type subject going on two other major SKS forums (Survivor's SKS and Gunboards), and have only confirmed that a couple dozen or so Egyptian Contract guns have been identified by avid collectors.
Also, if not for these types of discussions (and YooperJ's website), I would not have recognized the significance my purchase when it surfaced on Gunbroker last month. I'm sure a few other people knew what it was - the bid went to $381 on what could easily have been taken as an average Chicom in a lam stock. But I feel lucky to have this one, as it is a very rare variation.
