Bringback grouping of T56, T54 and EG Makarov from Laos - pic heavy

[81turbota]

http://alphahistory.com/vietnamwar/laos-during-vietnam-war/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven_Forward_Air_Controllers

[81turbota]

Here is the Makarov. Personally I have never seen an East German Makarov with DD603 paperwork. I have consulted more experienced Vietnam conflict collectors and they are extremely seldom encountered. It shows finish loss commensurate with use but is in overall very good condition. The DD603 misidentifies it completely as a 9mm Chinese Rifle. The hand-written correction was added on later. Believed at first to be a Russian pistol, Robert and I were equally surprised when I identified it as East German.







Here is the Type 54. This is a prime example of a war horse used in the harsh jungle environment. It has no matching numbers and the bore is completely worn smooth. It is a fairly early date of 1956, most encountered have 1960’s dates.

[81turbota]

And finally, the SKS. This is a 1967 Chinese Factory 26 with all matching serial numbers. The stock has been refinished, but the original serial number is still visible. Interestingly enough it has the correct side mounted rear sling loop but has a wooden plug where the bottom mount would be. If you would like pictures of this interesting stock I can post them.







Lastly, a few miscellaneous photos. Construction of the theater made cases, here is Robert's account of the cases.

The Royal Thai Air Force Base in the town of Udorn, Thailand is where all the major maintenance was performed on the aircraft we flew. The base also hosted a USAF Wing of F-4 fighters and ABCCC C130’s. It was a busy place. The parachute shop from the unit that did our maintenance made them for me. I took the weapons there and ask if they could make me some sort of wrapping for them that would allow me to carry them back to the states on a military charter flight. The cases were much more than I expected. They too were impressed by the weapons and did an outstanding job of making cases for them. They were a great bunch of guys with not enough to do on a remote combat tour.




Affidavit for importation.



I have some reading to do! I hope you all enjoyed the post.

[boris badinov]

And finally, the SKS. This is a 1967 Chinese Factory 26 with all matching serial numbers. The stock has been refinished, but the original serial number is still visible. Interestingly enough it has the correct side mounted rear sling loop but has a wooden plug where the bottom mount would be.

Awesome collection. Thanks for posting. Super jealous.


For a 12 mil/12th year serial, the bottom mounted sling would have been original. It's more than likely an in-the-field modifiaction-- the sling mount is of the bottom-oriented design with the swivel ring perpindicular to the base plate-- which also makes it that much more interesting

An original side mounted swivel looks like this one, with the swivel ring parallel to the mounting/base plate


"1962: 7 mil /26\ long-lug, side-swivel, large-font stock
1963: 8 mil /26\ long-log, side-swivel, large-font stock
1964: 9 mil /26\ long to short lug transition at 9.1-9.2m, side-swivel, large-font stock, bayo change to spike
1965: 10 mil /26\ short-lug, side swivel relocated to bottom mid year, large-font stock
1966: 11 mil /26\ short-lug, bottom-swivel, spike-bayo, large-font stock <---- First arrival of stamped trigger housings, two piece gas-tube, plus the deletion of the carrier and bay lug lightening cuts
1967: 12 mil /26\ short-lug, bottom-swivel, spike-bayo, large-font stock
1968: 13 mil /26\ short-lug, bottom-swivel, spike-bayo, large-font stock
1979: 14 mil /26\ short-lug, bottom-swivel, spike-bayo, large-font stock "

(from: http://chinesesks.weebly.com/1962-69--7-14mil.html)

[CBR_rider]

Wicked cool; being able to purchase the collection from an American hero like that makes it that much more special.

TBH, threads like this are the push/pull of this forum: I love seeing the pictures/reading the stories/learning a little bit but I hate how it reminds me I don’t have the cash to get in on some the vintage firearms I would like to purchase. I’ve had to pass up a few cool purchases.. but I digress.

Thanks for sharing!

[81turbota]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Boris, I'm not too familiar with the intricacies of the Chinese SKS through the years. Thanks for pointing that out. As for field modification anything was possible in that theater.

CBR, many times these historically significant firearms can be had for reasonable prices. I paid Robert what I thought was market value and still couldn't be happier. These collections don't pop up often so money is easier to spend (for me).

Even on the budget end, a documented war trophy FN1922 or Nambu T14 usually costs as much as mid range modern guns. Again, I know what I'd rather have.

[badash5946]

You are now the custodian of an absolutely incredible grouping! Congrats! It actually even more confirms my theory that the intel folks got all the best goodies, esp that well worn salty Tok and Mak.

The young FAC's did an awesome job. About this time I was a young lieutenant/captain with 19 TASS in Korea, and there was a bit of angst there amongst some of our younger non career oriented FACs about the workload they were called on to shoulder during the Eastertide Offensive compared to some (not all) of the older FACs, mostly lieutenant colonels.

[marksmandowntown]

Very cool post with great pics and stories about a war I never knew existed. Thanks for sharing.

[Rogerbutthead]

You have nice stuff.

[BrokerB]

Dam Robert was packed up for flight. AirRambo.

[pitfighter]

Very, very cool - !

Great that they are staying together and going to someone who appreciates what they are and represent.

The Cold War warriors, so many stories, who knows how much will be lost to time?

[HUTCH 7.62]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

[CBR_rider]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Boris, I'm not too familiar with the intricacies of the Chinese SKS through the years. Thanks for pointing that out. As for field modification anything was possible in that theater.

CBR, many times these historically significant firearms can be had for reasonable prices. I paid Robert what I thought was market value and still couldn't be happier. These collections don't pop up often so money is easier to spend (for me).

Even on the budget end, a documented war trophy FN1922 or Nambu T14 usually costs as much as mid range modern guns. Again, I know what I'd rather have.

Thanks for the heads up; maybe I'll start looking around more for C&R guns; I guess I'll have to do more reading so I know what to look for ahead of time!

I think it is just that I frequently see "the good stuff" at higher prices and since I don't always know what to look for (there are so many guns with so many qualities/markings/etc to look for) I get distracted from some of the more affordable C&R options. The frequent ghosting I do of this particular sub-forum has been a big help; most of the "regulars" in here are probably some of the nicest (and most knowledgeable in your respective area) folks on CG IMO.

The Cold War warriors, so many stories, who knows how much will be lost to time?

I honestly shudder a little bit when I imagine all the amazing stories from days gone by that are lost every year as humble and heroic individuals pass on and take their amazing stories to the grave with them.

[bbguns44]

Nice looking sks. Makes me want to get out my collection & clean them up.

[AR22]

Nice post I enjoyed it.

I just bought one of those 1954 TT Tokarevs and a spam can of 1240 rounds and 200 loose rounds of 7.62X25. Mine came in imported and the ATF made the Importers add a aftermarket safety. Really ruins the otherwise fine functioning and collectible Firearm. I guess maybe that is why I got the Pistol and ammo for 225.00.

Mine is dated 1954 however. It is a lot of fun to shoot. Ammo should last awhile.