So the story goes is that I bought an sks from a lgs.
It was cheap enough and in good enough condition for me to jump on, I've owned a norinco sks my whole life but never really got into the history of mine. Long story short it is a 16" barrel, doesnt look cut. 5 digit serial number no chinese characters no arsenal marking, very few inspection stamps, (matching minus the top plate which was railed and I replaced with a generic and trigger grouping which is a correct style milled grouping for such a low serial number) Does have an import stamp on the receiver says it is a Norinco sks.

So my question do I have a unicorn or was it cut and put back together very well?
Sorry no pictures will upload some tonight when I am back home.

From my research I believe it is a "ghost gun" meaning it was produced in China with Russian parts and oversight. correct me if I am wrong.

More than likely an early, Chi-Com Type 56 Carbine made with either Russian help or from late Russian-parts, that was later converted to the "Cowboy Companion"-variation for the American marketplace, refurbished with a new, non chrome-lined 16-inch barrel.  Remove the stock and look for an Arsenal /26\-stamp just below the wood-line, below the serial-number area.

The earliest Sino-Soviet Type 56's did not have the three Chinese characters for "Type 56", only a serial-number, usually starting with an "AA xxxx" or some other near variation for a serial# prefix, ala the Russian-style of serial-number designation.

I remember seeing the majority of these converted 16-inch Chi-Com SKS's that were made up from REALLY early Sino-Soviet rifles.  There were dozen's of importers at the time (late 1980's/very early 1990's).  Damn shame really,  not that they cared when they were importing and wholesaling them for less than $89.00 out the door, all day long.

That makes sense, thanks. Im on way home now will take some pictures. I can say near the serial numbers there are no letters just 5 digits.  I will remove the stock and look.

Reporting back no arsenal marking of any kind. This site wants me to link images using url which i dont know how to do. I did find some inspection stamps/marking etc on barrel lug and barrel itself. A 12 on the lug and circle inside a circle type of stamp on the barrel. Its possible my barrel was cut, i got to looking and the crown of my new norinco is majorly different than that of my late model norinco.