As the model number suggests, it was introduced in 1963, thus no North Korean SKS's were ever recovered from the Korean War where hostilities ceased in 1953. And instead, most all models found in the US would likely have come from the Vietnam War. Several Communist countries offered military aid to North Vietnam, and SKS's were provided in modest numbers by North Korea, Russia, East Germany, and Romania, and in large numbers by the Chinese.
The Type-63 is originally designed with a blade bayonet, though one bringback example has been retrofitted with a Russian Mosin Nagant M44 or Chinese T-53 spike bayonet. Most are found in laminated stocks, similar to the Russian birch, but a few are found in hardwood stocks. The laminate layers are cross-grained like the Russian stocks with the same number of layers, as opposed to the much thinner layered parallel-grained stocks of East Germany and China (rare).
Though surely incomplete, the most comprehensive list of serial numbers for the Type-63 can be found on SKS Boards, where member Prince50 is tracking known specimens. At this time, eleven units are recorded, though many more are likely to be present in the US.
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=89913.0
My Type-63 Carbine, with early style Chinese khaki canvas sling and leather keepers is pictured below. The distinctive roll-stamped receiver cover logo is the most noticeable outward identifier for the firearm. The circled star North Korean military symbol is above the number 63 and three Korean letters/characters. A possible translation of the markings on the gun have been added at the end of the thread.
A clear image of the receiver cover logo may be viewed on a part that is not associated with the featured carbine. I picked up this cover from a bolt group that was recovered in Afghanistan in 2010.
One of the first things you may have noticed is the US M-15 styled grenade launcher disc mounted to the left side of the receiver. Eight of the eleven known and recorded examples are retrofitted with grenade launcher capabilities. To utilize the launching sight, the front gas block is drilled through and a pinned lever-styled valve is installed to block gas flow in the grenade launching mode. Unlike the Yugoslavian M59/66, which employs a gas shut-off cylinder, the retrofitted Type-63 shut-off is a simple flap that covers the 5/32" gas port which is drilled into the top of the barrel. Some gas port levers are serial numbered to the gun, mine is not.
Internal images of the gas valve open and closed.
The grenade launcher itself is a hybrid of two US designs. The spigot is M8 launcher model, made for the M1 .30cal carbine. The attachment clamp is taken from the M1 launcher model, designed for the M1903 (may also be the M2, for the M1917). The front sight slot was widened for application with the SKS. The two pieces are crudely welded together and ground down. Though this particular launcher is not perfectly aligned with the bore, the fit is absolutely snug to the gun. Other launchers have been documented, but this hybrid style is most common. The M15 launcher sight is utilized for this function.
As the Type-63 was introduced in 1963, it most closely resembles the Chinese Type-56 carbine that was in simultaneous production at the Jianshe Arsenal, Factory /26\. However both the North Korean and the Chinese were based on the Russian SKS-45, and the following pictures include a refurbished 1952 Tula SKS for comparison purposes.
The similarities and differences of the laminated stock are most interesting. Other design observations are also noted. In all photos, the North Korean is the lighter colored wood with clear shellac, and the Russian with amber shellac.
1. Both the North Korean and the Russian stocks appear to be constructed of cross-grained birch and have an identical number of layers, at 47. The milled trigger groups are similar, with serrated safety levers. Magazine housings are identical in shape. The North Korean does have a larger rivet head for retaining the follower spring.
2. The Type-63 stock has two front reinforcing pins, vs. only on on the SKS-45. The grasping groove is shorter on the Type-63. North Korean has a solid hardwood handguard, and the Russian has horizontal lamination. The Type-63 has the third generation Russian rear sight block and gas tube lever (two eared) design, vs. the second generation shown on the SKS-45.
3. The Type-63 wrist has two pins instead of the single Russian crossbolt. The trigger finger relief cut is also much longer and more shallow on the North Korean. (please disregard the B-square scope mount on the Russian! I came to me that way, and it holds zero, so I left it intact)
4. The underside of the forestock from the trigger guard to the bayonet groove is filled with a horizontal laminate plug on the Russian, and is left as vertical laminate on the North Korean.
5. The bayonet collars are nearly identical. Knurling is the same, but the attaching arm is slightly longer on the North Korean. The Type-63 bayonet itself is thinner than the Russian.
6. Stock markings (North Korean only). The rear side-mounted sling swivel is similar to 1956 to 1965 Chinese swivels. Note both the flat head and round head mounting screws. My stock has been lightly sanded, unfortunately, so the markings are not extremely crisp, but are quite legible.
7. The final comparison photos show the second generation (45deg) gas block on the Russian, and the third generation (modified 45deg) gas block on the North Korean. Rear sights are identical in construction, but the North Korean utilizes a possible Chinese numbered (font) leaf. Though it doesn't show well, the North Korean leaf is stamped with the word "Height" for the battle field zero setting, and the Russian has the Cyrillic letter "P" for BZO. Notice the oblong shape of the stripper clip guide on the Type-63. This feature is one that I have only noticed on the North Korean. All other SKS model stripper clip guides are straight rectangular, or stepped rectangular. Also, note the final character stamped in the serial number on the bolt carrier. It is not a zero, and instead is the North Korean letter "M".
I could as easily have chosen an early Chinese Type-56 carbine for comparison pics, but the front gas block, rear sight bloc, bayonet collar, and late stamped rear sight would have been identical. And the laminate stock variations were quite interesting in comparison to the Russian. As with all Communist Bloc nations, records for military arms are not released to the U.S., so it is difficult to draw conclusions on total production numbers and markings. So, the Type-63 is still shrouded in mystery to an extent. But this comparison should shed some light on its design and influence by both Russia and China. Someday, we may learn more. But outward observations of the few specimens that we have in the States, and the comparisons to other models, are the best conclusions that can be drawn today.
The final set of pictures show the cleaning kit and the complete set of matching numbers on a very clean and lightly used Type-63 North Korean SKS Carbine. I hope you enjoyed the post. And as always, thanks for looking.
Edit to add.
A possible translation of the markings on the gun are as follows:
The markings on the receiver cover are:
식 -which translates to expression or form (Type, Type-63)
The markings on the sight are:
고 -literal translation is "and", but has an alternate translation of high or height, which makes sense on a sight leaf
The markings on the receiver are:
ᄅᄎ or ᄅᄌ -which is likely just a two letter prefix (R/L, J/G or R/L, Ch), as there is no literal translation of two successive consonents.
