[Sgt Lamb]

is there any differance in the two?

 

[gwurly]

I don't think so as far as functionality, where they were made and when for collectors maybe. You can buy new repro's on amazon cheap.

 

[Boris Badinov]

Arsenal stamps.

 

[50ydPHIL]

Careful with repros.
Some are too long, with the wrong thread.

Think that T53s have no knurling on the head (?)

 

[redeuce]

Mine is smooth

 

[clayshooter2]

Mine is smooth

Yep, a Chinese T53 cleaning rod typically should have a smooth head with no knurling. Ted has a pretty good photo spread of different cleaning rods on 7.62x54r.net
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinFeatures09.htm

 

[livingthepast]

This has come up on the board a few times over the years. There were discussions about Russian 44 re-use, Chinese production and use of SKS rods. I spoke to the guy at Omega about the cleaning rods as he had actually been in China, saw where the rifles he purchased came from (salt mines, wrapped in wire bundles). He told me the smooth rods were off of SKSs. He was amused that I asked if there was a special Chinese Type 53 rod. I've yet to take the time to check out my 60s SKS to see if the cleaning rod is the same or fits the Type 53. Good question, hope to see a new discussion on this topic!

 

[clayshooter2]

So, was he saying that the cleaning rods were a universal cleaning rod made to use on both the T53 and the SKS?

 

[livingthepast]

He made a comment that the Chinese didn't care between an SKS and T53 rod. He told me they were issued to village/district police and militia. They used what they had or what wasn't broken. Changing to my own comments and not his, has anyone seen a smooth cleaning rod on the newer imports? I know the older imports had them. The few I purchased over the recent year that had rods were ribbed.

So, was he saying that the cleaning rods were a universal cleaning rod made to use on both the T53 and the SKS?