[RusskieSniper]

I own a Chinese M21 marked SKS that I got back in 2012 for $40. I got it for that price because someone buried it in the ground. I know it was not used in any crimes because the previous owner ran the serial number through the police. The rifle is a complete mismatch, but at least it shoots. Surprisingly, the bore is in excellent condition. I ran 5 rounds through it, and it functions flawlessly. I will get pics later. It is an import rifle (CJA out of Southfield, MI).

So, my question is, What is an M21 code SKS in general? And what is the history of the things. From what I was able to figure out, mine was made in 1968, but I am not 100% on it.

 

[lpcullen]

I'm no expert but I believe that the m21 SKS's were made by China for export to other countries.

 

[martin08]

Pics of the serial number, please.

Does it have a ribbed plastic handguard?

 

[RusskieSniper]

Pics of the serial number, please.

Does it have a ribbed plastic handguard?

No, but I have a bakelite "Jungle Stock" set in the mail. It's wearing a beat up SKS stock that's only good for firewood now...

Here's the Serial No
.

 

[martin08]

Thank you for the picture.

Interesting.

I don't recall ever seeing one with this particular serial sequence. There are the "M21 NO XXXXX" , "M21 No XXXXX", "M21 0296 XXXXX".

And now, we have "M21 NA XXXXXX"

Cool. Thanks!

 

[RusskieSniper]

Thank you for the picture.

Interesting.

I don't recall ever seeing one with this particular serial sequence. There are the "M21 NO XXXXX" , "M21 No XXXXX", "M21 0296 XXXXX".

And now, we have "M21 NA XXXXXX"

Cool. Thanks!

No problem!

Would the trick of adding the 1st digit of the # to 1956 give me the year, or does that not apply to M21s?

 

[Ronbo6]

No problem!

Would the trick of adding the 1st digit of the # to 1956 give me the year, or does that not apply to M21s?

This only works with /26\ rifles.

 

[mriddick]

Thank you for the picture.

Interesting.

I don't recall ever seeing one with this particular serial sequence. There are the "M21 NO XXXXX" , "M21 No XXXXX", "M21 0296 XXXXX".

And now, we have "M21 NA XXXXXX"

Cool. Thanks!

That is very interesting, a type not normally seen before.

 

[martin08]

Just another note worth mentioning.

This is the first M21 marked gun (other than the late '0296' model) that I have ever seen with a reported importer mark.

Not that the import mark makes it valuable, but it is rather unique. Is it a blade bayonet?

 

[RusskieSniper]

Just another note worth mentioning.

This is the first M21 marked gun (other than the late '0296' model) that I have ever seen with a reported importer mark.

Not that the import mark makes it valuable, but it is rather unique. Is it a blade bayonet?

I dunno what it originally had. Keep in mind it was missing about 80% of its parts when I got it (This one is the dug up SKS i probably tossed word around of). I have a spike bayonet on it.

 

[Stalin's Ghost]

The bore is good because it is a chromed bore, nearly indestructible.

 

[martin08]

Can we get pictures of the bayonet groove in the stock, and the front stock ferrule (either v-notched or u-notched). And the barrel collar where it meets the receiver, long threaded lug, short threaded lug, or pressed and pinned.

 

[RusskieSniper]

Can we get pictures of the bayonet groove in the stock, and the front stock ferrule (either v-notched or u-notched). And the barrel collar where it meets the receiver, long threaded lug, short threaded lug, or pressed and pinned.

It has no stock. I'll get pictures of the other 2 bits shortly

 

[martin08]

Made for a blade bayonet. Large threaded lug. Early 1960's construction.

 

[RusskieSniper]

I currently have it as a Spike bladed rifle because for one, I have a blade bayonet one ('58 Romanian in BFPU condition), and I wanted to go for a 'nam era look because the thing looks like it sat in a rat tunnel for about 45 years.

 

[Ronbo6]

Here's another M21 serial sequence for you to chew on: 416 M21 followed by a full (about 8 digit, starting with a 23) serial number. I bought it pre-ban in about 1990.

Spike bayonet, and it DOES have an importer mark.

 

[RusskieSniper]

I got the "Jungle Stock" today. Here's how it looks...

 

[RusskieSniper]

Ancient thread. Yes, I get that, but it has been a long time since I did anything to this rifle. Recently, however, I have started to find parts to turn it back into a proper early '60s SKS instead of that fiberglass and spike bayonet mess. At a shop in N. Georgia back in late June, I picked up a russian stock set (Laminate stock with X'd out numbers, no year or arsenal marks?? and a solid wood gas tube piece with matching finish) for $35 and until today, I decided to take off the fiberglass and spike bayonet stuff and put those with my spare parts. I also cleaned up the dirt/cosmoline mixture from the inside of the rifle and dug out a BFPU condition AK sling to throw on until I decide what to do about finding a sling. I have a blade bayonet from a Type 56 coming in the mail, which should be here soon. I'll post pictures of the rifle when the bayonet gets here. But for now, I just wanted to give an update on this rather unusual (at least to me) carbine.

 

[Ronbo6]

The bore is good because it is a chromed bore, nearly indestructible.

NOT NECESSARILY SO!

If you believe that, come by my house and I will show you my Vietnam Bringback SKS. The bore is WORSE than a sewer pipe and when I push an oiled patch down the bore, it comes out as brown as dried blood, with several large shards of Chrome plating stuck in the patch.

On second thought, I take that back. You said "Nearly". Somebody REALLY did the dirty to this one, though.

 

[Loose}{Cannon]

We have a few NAs recorded... Yours seems to already be on the list.