How do you tell if an SKS is a pre-ban?

It's a Chinese SKS NIB w/ bayonet. Didn't take a pic of it and didn't buy it...yet.

Just checked M4's tacked thread and see that it has the markings for the up to 1980 date on it.

So I guess my question is, "Can I buy this thing with the bayonet on it without any legal worries?"

Also, would I be able to put one of the folding stocks on it and remove the magazine well, or would it already need to have had that done to it prior to Sept. '94?

Oh yeah, checked the link in M4's thread also. I noticed that the rectangle code of 0142 isn't listed, which this one had. Is that anything important? I sent the guy "SKSDave" an e-mail about it, but figured I'd ask here also.

At least I had the sense to write down the info.

Well that sucks, I like the evil features.

Guess I'll buy it anyway for $130.

Quoted: DUH...need new glasses...even in bold type...been a long day!

Don't feel too bad. Been here a l-o-n-g time and did the same thing, hence post #2 in this thread by myself.

"Pre-ban SKS" means "I can PROVE that this SKS was IMPORTED before 1990".

Note that if you can't prove this, you have a post-ban SKS.  Also, a post-ban CHINESE SKS cannot have a bayonet attached, as Chinese SKSs are not C&R guns.  Many dealers buy and attach the bayonets anyway (some even use this to pass them off as "pre-ban" without any proof of the above), even though this is illegal.

-Troy

Quoted: "Pre-ban SKS" means "I can PROVE that this SKS was IMPORTED before 1990". Note that if you can't prove this, you have a post-ban SKS.  Also, a post-ban CHINESE SKS cannot have a bayonet attached, as Chinese SKSs are not C&R guns.  Many dealers buy and attach the bayonets anyway (some even use this to pass them off as "pre-ban" without any proof of the above), even though this is illegal. -Troy

Whoa! I don't think there's any paper work that comes with this thing. All I know is that it's got the packing grease all over the thing wrapped in paper and the bayonet is already attached which would lead me to believe that the thing came into the country that way, which probably doesn't mean squat and probably no way of proving.

I think I'll pass on this one!

Yes, absolutely, you can simply remove the bayonet and there's no problem.  Just don't tart it up with flash suppressors and folding stocks and stuff.

-Troy