FFL received my Type 56 today. All matching numbers except the barrel, which has an "E" prefix. Good thing is, the bore is absolutely pristine once all the cosmoline came off.

Question No. 1 - All the pictures I've seen of a Type 56 serial number has a triangle to either the left or right of the serial number. Why does mine not have one?

Question No. 2 - The Stock is absolutely littered with carvings of various Albanian names and places. Is my stock not original, or has my rifle been to Albania?

Thanks for any responses.

Edit, My rifle also has no Chinese characters on it. Just some various "proof marks" and the 5 digit serial number.

Pics not loading

I'll get some up tomorrow.

Please come back.

Its tomorrow.  Im here.

Based on your info, I'm gonna guess you have one of three or four possible rifles.  The features will give it away when pics come.  Its either a Chibanian, a real Albanian or a Yugo.  May be a Russian but is very unlikely.

OP delivers

Looks like an Early Sino-Soviet Chibanian.  Probably made in china under Russian supervision.  Those look like Russian proofs on the barrel shank.

Looks like what is called a "ghost" SKS - no Russian letter prefix to the serial number to denote it as a Sino-Soviet and no Chinese arsenal markings.  Pretty cool, sksboards.com is where you need to go and join.

^this

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've googled "Agim Shera". I'm getting facebook profiles so it's obviously a name.

Just seems like a guy got his buddies to sign his rifle before he went away or something. Well it's mine now, Mr. Shera

Here is the webpage being referenced to.  The OP over there is also keeping a running tally if you check the bottom of his replies.