Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this awesome semi-automatic rifle today for auction, this is the Norinco “Factory 26” SKS “Paratrooper."
According to the commonly used dating method, adding the first digit “1” to 1956 gives an approximate manufacture date of 1957, the second year of SKS production.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Norinco “Factory 26”
Model: SKS “Paratrooper”
Serial: 1605721
Model: SKS “Paratrooper”
Serial: 1605721
Date of Manufacture: 1957 (According to the commonly used dating method, adding the first digit “1” to 1956 gives an approximate manufacture date of 1957)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 16 3/4" Barrel with Folding Spike Bayonet
Optics/Sights: Hooded Post Front with Adjustable Tangent Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is stamped with the Factory “Triangle 26” mark, along with Chinese writing that translates to “56 Type”, and the serial number “1605721”, along with “7.62x39 SKS MADE IN CHINA GBE HB, CA.” The bottom of the magazine and the trigger guard are stamped with the last digits of the serial number “05721”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Originally designed by Soviet arms designer Sergei Simonov during the final years of World War II, the SKS was officially adopted by the Soviet Union in 1945. Production continued primarily at the Tula and Izhevsk arsenals until the mid-1950s, when the AK-47 replaced it. As part of Sino-Soviet cooperation, the USSR provided China with technical assistance, machinery, and production tooling to help continue establish domestic manufacture of the rifle. Chinese production began in 1956 at Jianshe Arsenal—commonly referred to by collectors as Factory 26—, and the rifle was designated the Type 56. Early Chinese examples closely followed Soviet specifications, including blade bayonets, threaded barrels, and milled components. Production later expanded to numerous other state arsenals across China, and depending on the factory and era, minor manufacturing variations appeared. The Factory 26 is often regarded as one of the earliest and most prominent producers; it was one of many facilities that manufactured the Type 56 across China. The Type 56 SKS was widely exported and saw use in several Cold War conflicts, appearing in the hands of allied forces and irregular units across Asia, Africa, and beyond. Large numbers were supplied to North Vietnam and other recipients, contributing to the rifle’s global footprint. Following its military service, substantial quantities entered the civilian surplus market in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and elsewhere, where the SKS gained popularity as an affordable and durable semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm. During the 1980s and 1990s, amid a surge of surplus imports into the United States and other civilian markets, shortened commercial variants, commonly referred to as paratrooper models, began to appear.
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 16 3/4" Barrel with Folding Spike Bayonet
Optics/Sights: Hooded Post Front with Adjustable Tangent Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is stamped with the Factory “Triangle 26” mark, along with Chinese writing that translates to “56 Type”, and the serial number “1605721”, along with “7.62x39 SKS MADE IN CHINA GBE HB, CA.” The bottom of the magazine and the trigger guard are stamped with the last digits of the serial number “05721”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Originally designed by Soviet arms designer Sergei Simonov during the final years of World War II, the SKS was officially adopted by the Soviet Union in 1945. Production continued primarily at the Tula and Izhevsk arsenals until the mid-1950s, when the AK-47 replaced it. As part of Sino-Soviet cooperation, the USSR provided China with technical assistance, machinery, and production tooling to help continue establish domestic manufacture of the rifle. Chinese production began in 1956 at Jianshe Arsenal—commonly referred to by collectors as Factory 26—, and the rifle was designated the Type 56. Early Chinese examples closely followed Soviet specifications, including blade bayonets, threaded barrels, and milled components. Production later expanded to numerous other state arsenals across China, and depending on the factory and era, minor manufacturing variations appeared. The Factory 26 is often regarded as one of the earliest and most prominent producers; it was one of many facilities that manufactured the Type 56 across China. The Type 56 SKS was widely exported and saw use in several Cold War conflicts, appearing in the hands of allied forces and irregular units across Asia, Africa, and beyond. Large numbers were supplied to North Vietnam and other recipients, contributing to the rifle’s global footprint. Following its military service, substantial quantities entered the civilian surplus market in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and elsewhere, where the SKS gained popularity as an affordable and durable semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm. During the 1980s and 1990s, amid a surge of surplus imports into the United States and other civilian markets, shortened commercial variants, commonly referred to as paratrooper models, began to appear.
Despite the name, there is no verified evidence that these short-barreled versions were official military issue; rather, many were modified for export—most often by shortening the barrel to create a more compact, commercially appealing configuration for civilian buyers. These were marketed specifically to American and other civilian markets rather than produced as part of China’s standard rifle patterns. Today, the Chinese Type 56 SKS remains one of the most widely encountered SKS variants worldwide, valued for its historical significance, mechanical simplicity, and durability. Production spanned several decades and numerous factories, making variations in markings, features, and configurations a focus of ongoing interest among collectors and historians.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1160903886 |
BidPrice: |
684.99 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-04-05 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
695 |
SoldOutTime: |
2026-04-05 17:11:09 |
