1960 T53 matching

[Jim]

My father in lawrecently gave me a rifle he brought back from vietnam. He told me it was a Chinese K44. I have since learned that it is a 1960 T53. All the serial numbers match and the rifle has almost zero rust or pitting. Serial # is A0083. I was just looking for some information on this rifle.

[redeuce]

Post some pics of the rifle. Does it have any paperwork? Sounds like it might be a good one.

[Jim]

Pics as requested

[Jim]

More Pics

[Jim]

I will have to find out about the paperwork. what kind of paperwork am I looking for? I was told that the rifle was still in cosmoline when he picked it up.

[Dan4good]

if thats original that is one of the nicest t53s ive ever seen

[qz2026]

Wow, very nice even without the papers. Very nice

Hard to believe that one came from Vietnam - really hard. Did you search for import markings?

[Jim]

if thats original that is one of the nicest t53s ive ever seen

It's original. Father in Law was army special forces of some type and not prone to B.S. I have shot it a few times and it shoots straight. Can any other ammo be used in this
ie. 7.62x39 ?

There are no other markings on it other than a small 5 in the stock. What would import markings look like?

[qz2026]

NO 7.62x39!!!! 7.62x54r only.

There could be an import marking on the receiver or at the muzzle end of the barrel on the side or bottom. If this is a bring back, there won't be any import markings. That would be one hint.

[Jim]

Ok,thanks. There are no other markings on it, except impressions in the stock. Here are some more pics. Does anyone know what the marks that look like vise impressions are. They are only on one side of the rifle, at the top and bottom.

[BuckeyeSgt]

I think there are fewer of the 1960 years. If legit it is a great collector.

[BuckeyeSgt]

I will have to find out about the paperwork. what kind of paperwork am I looking for? I was told that the rifle was still in cosmoline when he picked it up.

It would be something including the info about the rifle, where it was taken and signed off by a commanding officer.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Welcome to the board, and that was a very nice gift! I have seen 60's news footage showing US GI's capturing, and removing from the field brand new type 53's. In one CBS clip there were at least 40 guys walking past the camera carrying type 53's. One of the few rifles a GI could legally bring home from Vietnam, the SKS, and various French bolt actions being others. You are looking for the capture papers, paperwork that your father in law would have received allowing him to remove the rifle from the Republic of Vietnam when he came home. Just about every GI I know tossed the papers 15 seconds after they got off the freedom bird.

[desdem12]

Very nice. Lowest serial number I have ever seen on these.

[kamakazi339]

oooohhh.... shiny!!! Very nice looking

[Miller Tyme]

The stock has been re-schallaced like a Russian refurb, look at the sling slots

[BuckeyeSgt]

The stock has been re-schallaced like a Russian refurb, look at the sling slots

Yep, stands out now that you said that.

[Jim]

The stock has been re-schallaced like a Russian refurb, look at the sling slots

I can sort of see what you are talking about. There is what appears to be "shellac" on the metal in front of the sight and on some of the metal pieces on the stock. I assume that the stock was completely shellacked before assembly? I will talk to my father in law and see if he did anything to it. I appreciate ya'lls time and comments. I certainly know more than I did.

[davesstuff1]

Very nice rifle!!!!

[Jim]

This was the reply from my father in law

"no paperwork and no work done on the stock finish. as far as I know. We captured it and i GOT IT RIGHT AWAY. dON'T know if Charlie did anything to it."