Nam SKS Bring Back

[WWIIBuff1945]

I found a great deal on one of the auction sites and just had to grab it! SP/4 David XXXXXX who was a member of the 9th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, 93rd Engineer Battalion, Company C brought home this SKS in 1970. The vet brought it into a gun shop on consignment. I told the shop about my upcoming book on Nam bring backs and asked if they would see if the vet was willing to tell the story on how the rifle was captured. He refused and even wanted his name and social security number removed from his paperwork. I completely agreed with removing his SSN but I told the shop I would not be interested if his name was removed. He agreed to leave his name and even decided to throw in a few extra documents and couple other little surprises for me. The rifle has been shipped and will be delivered next week. I’m excited to see what else he included!

 

[m151mp]

this was the one i brought back in oct 70. i was in the 199th inf bde, HHC MPs. i sold it to a collector a few years back. i also sent him all the original paper work i had kept.

[WWIIBuff1945]

I received the rifle yesterday. All parts match except the stock. I was happy to receive four bring back documents. The barrel has a bend to it. There are some marks where the bend is. Maybe some GI pried the barrel against something? The surprise the vet included was around 200 rounds with some stripper clips! I wish I would of thought to ask the gun shop to take a picture the vet holding his rifle.

[MinutemanEMTer]

Any chance that a gunsmith can straighten that barrel?

[WWIIBuff1945]

Maybe but I'm going to leave it as is.

[MikeM.]

You should Straighten it, wouldn't hurt the value and it might be cool to actually fire it from time to time. I understand leaving it as it is too tho

[WWIIBuff1945]

I received an unexpected email today from the gunshop who sold me the rifle. The veteran came into the shop with his jacket and captured flag! I was able to buy it! He agreed to a picture taken of him wearing the jacket and holding the flag. He asked that the picture not be shown or published and I'm going to abide by his request.

 

[1st Sgt CES]

I really like the Jacket !

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Nice rifle! Assuming the ammo was captured as well what are the headstamps? Any marking on the clips as well?

[WWIIBuff1945]

Thanks Cap! It never occurred to me that some of the ammo and clips were captured. Here is a pic. There were no markings on the stripper clips.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

On 9/16/2023 at 6:24 AM, WWIIBuff1945 said:

Thanks Cap! It never occurred to me that some of the ammo and clips were captured. Here is a pic. There were no markings on the stripper clips.

Thanks, I'm a novice when it comes to ammunition but I believe it's Chinese, factory code 71, although that's an abbreviated code and the full code should be 3 digits, not sure which factory that it is, and the year of production is 1966.