And with some recent questions as to whether a Soviet SKS could be "faked" as a North Korean, I also included some comparison pics of a Russian SKS with the laminate stock to illustrate some key differences with the Type-63.
Of course, a Russian SKS could be scrubbed and re-marked with stamps to resemble a North Korean, and it would need to be a flawless job it duplicate the NK serial number characters, the Type-63 receiver cover stamp, and the battlesight zero marking on the rear sight leaf. I think one could readily discover that these markings, as in the following pics, would need some very special skills to duplicate without noticeable alterations having been performed.
But aside from the difficult metal stamping logistics, there are also definite differences in construction. First, the front stock ferrule. On the North Korean, there is a very sharp "corner" at the transition from the front face of the ferrule to the thin half-circle collar which captures the stock.
North Korean stock ferrule - sharp corner. Followed by Russan - rounded corner
Next, the leading edge of the North Korean gas block (at the bottom of the sloped face) is straight. The leading edge of the Russian gas block is rounded to the contour of the barrel.
North Korean gas blocks with "straight" leading edge. Followed by Russian with rounded leading edge.
Some North Korean guns were also retrofitted with gas valve (Russian left, North Korean Right)
Bolt carriers on the North Korean will have a rounded stripper clip guide, and the Russian will have a squared stripper clip guide. Also a good comparison of the battlesight zero markings.
Russian (left), North Korean (right).
The stocks appear to have the very similar cross-grained Arctic birch laminate construction, with 45-47 laminate layers. But the North Korean will not have the horizontal laminate "plug" of wood along the bayonet groove and to the magazine cover on the underside.
North Korean (top), with visible vertical laminate layers. Russian (bottom) with horizontal layered plug in the bayonet groove.
The North Korean has a side mounted rear sling swivel, and the Russian has the bottom mounted swivel. Russian swivel on bottom in picture.
The North Korean will also have two wrist crosspins, and the Russian will have only one crosspin or crossbolt in the wrist. North Korean (top), Russian (bottom).
And finally for the stock, the grasping groove for the North Korean is shorter in length, and also has two reinforcing crosspins vs longer grasping groove and one crosspin on the Russian.
In Conclusion, if one could successfully duplicate the metal markings of the North Korean, it would also be necessary to overcome the not-so-subtle differences of the small parts and stock to convert a Russian into a believable forgery. At this point in time, with North Korean carbines trading at only $3-5,000, I don't believe that the elaborate "ground and up" effort to replicate one would be worth the time and money - if it could be done at all.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the little show and comparison of the three North Koreans vs the Russian.
So, where the heck did that fourth Type-63 come from? (heh, heh)
. My knowledge of NK SKS's just jumped greatly. 
What millman said.
