Will someone date my SKS for me?

[Starslinger]

I have looked at a couple of websites and so far I've not quite figured out The SKS dating system. My SKS is Chinese and marked N2371. It is a shortened "paratrooper" model if that helps. Thanks and much appreciated if someone can date this.

[courteousgavin]

Does it have the /26\ factory marking?

[Spartan301]

Chinese SKS

https://www.chinesesks.weebly.com

1959/1960

[marksmandowntown]

I have a deal to offer you. Poster several clear and well lit pictures that show the numbers and stamps and we will tell you what you have based on those photos.

[highpower]

I have a deal to offer you. Poster several clear and well lit pictures that show the numbers and stamps and we will tell you what you have based on those photos.

One of my pet gripes is when we are asked to evaluate a firearms without any photos. I personally won't even hazard a guess without clear, in focus, close up pictures.

[smle-man]

I have looked at a couple of websites and so far I've not quite figured out The SKS dating system. My SKS is Chinese and marked N2371. It is a shortened "paratrooper" model if that helps. Thanks and much appreciated if someone can date this.

My wife won't let me date outside of our marriage so I can't help.

[kris smith]

Where would you like me to take her ? Do you want her treated like a lady or a lady of the night ?

[Starslinger]

Here are photos of the gun with the markings I see. Thank you.

https://imgur.com/a/2UuSiRV

[CalifEd]

Will she respect us after the weekend?

[oc16]

any serial number that does not have a military factory marking code are 1980's 1990 special builds for us market.

[boris badinov]

You've got an N series Letter rifle. China. 1959-1961.

For the Chinese letter rifles, 1959-1961 is as accurate as it gets for year of manufacture.

The barrel shortening would have happened between 1984 and 1993, probably the same time that the /26\ arsenal stamp was scrubbed from the receiver.

[SVT-40]

any serial number that does not have a military factory marking code are 1980's 1990 special builds for us market.

Nope, not true.

[boris badinov]

One of my pet gripes is when we are asked to evaluate a firearms without any photos. I personally won't even hazard a guess without clear, in focus, close up pictures.

More often than not, for the the Chinese sks, there's quite a lot one can determine from just the serial number.

[Starslinger]

You've got an N series Letter rifle. China. 1959-1961.

For the Chinese letter rifles, 1959-1961 is as accurate as it gets for year of manufacture.

The barrel shortening would have happened between 1984 and 1993, probably the same time that the /26\ arsenal stamp was scrubbed from the receiver.

Thanks for this. Thanks all. I was just curious, I'm not a collector. I'll call it 1960.

[boris badinov]

Thanks for this. Thanks all. I was just curious, I'm not a collector. I'll call it 1960-ish.

FIFY.

The paratrooper mod is highly coveted. Especially in the basic 10round standard magazine configuration. IMO, the truest gem among all of the sks commercial mods.