importer sn question

[Rem700fan]

I picked up a Russian sks at a lgs last Friday. All matching except unmarked top cover and force matched stock. Appears unfired since refurb. Hang tag had it listed as a Norinco. And already cleaned of cosmoline. I assumed it was from the recent batch of Sino-Soviet imports from Albainia. But the more I look at it I am not sure. Import marked by IO on the barrel and no importer sn. I thought importers were required to add a sn of their own. If I am correct on that, what year did the atf begin to require the import sn to be added? Just trying to determine if this was imported from albainia or an earlier import. Thanks for any info. Will post pics later this week.

 

[lee2]

pics would help.

 

[Machodoc]

Yep ... post some photos. There's no telling what a dealer's tag is going to say, and that's hardly the last word in identification of a firearm. Some people assume that any Chinese rifle is a "Norinco" ... even those made years before Norinco (an exportation shadow company of the PLA) even existed.

 

[Rem700fan]

Will get pics up tomorrow when I have better light for pics. Mentioned the hang tag, just to point incorrect label. It is definitely not a norinco commercial import gun. And yeah the owner told me with complete conviction that Norinco manufactured guns when I knew they were an exporter from China. I learned in the past not to argue over things like that when trying to negotiate a deal. Just agree and keep haggling.

 

[Rem700fan]

Here are the pics. Looking more closely at the import mark, it does say IO Inc Monroe NC M56 7.62x39 China, so I am rethinking and believe it came in with the Sino Soviets from Albania. However overall looks lead me to believe it may actually be russian. Please take a look and all input good and bad is welcome.

 

[iH8DemLibz]

That's a Russian piece with Russian symbols. Nice find.

And way back in the day, importers were not required to serialize the guns.

The billboard is a relatively new phenomena.

 

[fred333]

Are the sight scales normally painted white? Most I've seen (a limited number, admittedly) were unpainted.

 

[Machodoc]

Here are the pics. Looking more closely at the import mark, it does say IO Inc Monroe NC M56 7.62x39 China, so I am rethinking and believe it came in with the Sino Soviets from Albania. However overall looks lead me to believe it may actually be russian. Please take a look and all input good and bad is welcome.

Sure looks Russian. Any marking on the bolt cover?

Are the sight scales normally painted white? Most I've seen (a limited number, admittedly) were unpainted.

Originally, yes. Here's a Sino-Soviet that's pretty close to factory new, and didn't go to Albania. The Sino-Soviets either had Russian left-over sights (probable) or the Chinese used the Russian dies to stamp them (also possible). The white inside the range marks on the site probably left with the first few cleanings.

 

[Rem700fan]

Sure looks Russian. Any marking on the bolt cover?

There is a "4", "5", and what appears to be a "L" stamped under it. I assume they are inspector marks.

 

[ohen cepel]

As others have said, the 2nd serial number by the importer is a new ATF creation so no worries there.