The Chinese Type 53 carbine was effectively an exact copy of the Soviet M44 Mosin-Nagant carbine. As China adopted more advanced SKS and AK pattern rifles, the older Mosin-Nagant based long arms ended up in second line service, as well as being slated for export, with many becoming part of North Vietnam's inventory. A set of February 20, 1971 dated DD603 registration documentation is made out for this item as a "SHICOM CARBINE TYPE 53 W/ BAYONET 7.63MM," identifying it by serial number as a war trophy and personal property of Master Sergeant Donald Sheffer, originally of Phoenix, Arizona, attached to "AELS, HQ MACV APO" in the Republic of Vietnam. The carbine features a hooded pin front sight and notched tangent rear sight, with a triangle enclosed "26" factory mark and "1960" dated chamber. Fitted with a hinged side-folding bayonet and a straight wrist stock with a flat buttplate.