Oldest T53 With or Without "Shi" Mark.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[MarksmanTim]

Well that just shot down the theory I had going in my head that maybe they didn't put a month number for January.

[Celt]

[Junk Yard Dog]

This one is not the Vietnam bringback, but one I bought for $20 in 1989. It still has a good bore, always a crapshoot with the early type 53 imports, most of them were 20 times more rough that the ones coming in from the Balkans today.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The bringback is not month stamped but is 1955, I will have to check the other one another time.

[Vance]

Hi, I'm new to this forum.

I am following this with interest, as I have a similar question. It probably belongs in a new thread, but I also have some information/comments concerning your inquiry about the earliest T53.

The #1 T53, serial# A000001shi, is at the National Firearms Museum at the NRA headquarters. Here's a link to the page: http://www.nrablog.com/post/2009/06/...t-edition.aspx

My first T53 was a 1953.10 serial A22136shi, but I foolishly sold it, thinking it was kind of rough. It was the best one I've seen, so far. I've owned about 15, so NOW I know rough.

I own a 1955.1 and a 1955.2 T53, so they did date them at least up into February '55. I have 2 other '55s that have the dot next to the year like this {1955.} but no number following. My 1955/2 (serial #1360650) and my earliest 1955/no number (serial 3006518) have a spread of 1,645,868 units between them. So the unmonthed one is pretty far away from February. I wouldn't be surprised if they continued dating after February, but have no knowledge of this.

Wow. No wonder 1955 is so common.

Now here's my inquiry: Has anyone seen an AXXXshi serial trials carbine that is dated into 1954? I have a 1954/1 carbine serial A65276shi, but have never heard of another. There must be more out there.

[Vance]

So, I did some figuring, just for fun, with my 1955s to see what the number spread was between my 1955/1 and the highest serial number on my un-monthed 1955. There is a difference of 1,838,179 between them! They produced some carbines in 1955!

[qz2026]

I'm still patiently waiting for a 1953. I have looked a lot and haven't seen even one. Some day... I don't believe they continued the Shi stamping after 1953. I saw a write up on that once and there was a reason for it, but I can't remember.

[Vance]

As I said, I have a 1954.1 with the A series, shi stamped serial# . So they did continue with the shi stamped trials carbines until at least January 1954.

The reason they stopped the shi stamp was that the trials were done, and the carbine was set into full scale production.

[walnut red]

Out of curiosity has anyone seen T53s made in 56-59?

[qz2026]

Vance, I would like to see a picture of the '54.1shi

[Vance]

I will post a pic as soon as I figure out a hosting site and how to link it. I guess you can't upload to this site?

FYI, there's a wealth of information on the Gunboards.com site. There are a couple of threads that concern the T53, one in particular about the development, usage, and collecting of the Chinese T53, I hope that it's not considered bad form to refer people there, but it contains a considerable amount of specific information about these carbines. BTW, my 1954.1 shi is pictured on pg7.

There are 1956s. I have one, serial# 4035320. Again, I will post a pic later. Apparently, production stopped at the end of 1956 and began again in 1960.

[qz2026]

You can upload .jpg to this sight. Use Paint or another editor to make sure your pics are 640x468 or less. You will find the Attachment button towards the bottom of the New Topic or Reply screen.

[Vance]

Thanks for the help. I was too focused on the toolbar, I guess.

Here is a photo of the 1954.1

[Vance]

Here's another view showing the "A" prefix

[qz2026]

[Vance]

I also said I'd add a pic of a 1956.

[yiping]

Type 53 have 4 type of marking on rifle. All 1953 date T53 have 3 lines on the receiver. From top : 296 (factory number); 1953.9. (year and month) and bottom is serial number A12345試

試 is a word in Chinese that means "trials" It is always behind serial number on all 1953 T53.

In 1954 T53 changed to 4 lines on receiver. From top : 296(factory number), 五三年式 (53 year type), 1954.1. (year and month) and serial number, no more "A" and "試"

Start on April 1955 T53 change marking again. From top : 五三式(53 type) Chinese word "year" were removed; 1955 (year only, no more month); 26 (factory 296 became 26); serial number (number only)

All 1956 T53 same as above. Production of T53 end at around Feb. 1956. Factory 26 retool for type 56.

A special order of T53 was made in May and June 1960 for North Vietnam (100,000 rifles) marking on these rifle from top : /26\ (number 26 inside of triangle, factory 26); 1960(year only); serial number start with A0001 to K9999

[Vance]

Like the subject says. Mine is 1953.8 "shi" and the s# is A46xx
Ed

I'd love to see a photo of it!

[Vance]

Type 53 have 4 type of marking on rifle. All 1953 date T53 have 3 lines on the receiver. From top : 296 (factory number); 1953.9. (year and month) and bottom is serial number A12345試

試 is a word in Chinese that means "trials" It is always behind serial number on all 1953 T53.

In 1954 T53 changed to 4 lines on receiver. From top : 296(factory number), 五三年式 (53 year type), 1954.1. (year and month) and serial number, no more "A" and "試"

Start on April 1955 T53 change marking again. From top : 五三式(53 type) Chinese word "year" were removed; 1955 (year only, no more month); 26 (factory 296 became 26); serial number (number only)

All 1956 T53 same as above. Production of T53 end at around Feb. 1956. Factory 26 retool for type 56.

A special order of T53 was made in May and June 1960 for North Vietnam (100,000 rifles) marking on these rifle from top : /26\ (number 26 inside of triangle, factory 26); 1960(year only); serial number start with A0001 to K9999

Wow. Thanks, yiping. As we discussed, I rewrote this with added information. It is too general for this thread, and is posted on another forum. I will provide the link if everyone is cool with that.