This is just an excellent example of a very early and all original fully automatic Class three, Chinese Type 56, AK-47 rifle. These rifles were the very first weapons to be produced by China after they adopted and copied the Russian AK-47 Assault rifle. They were the primarily Chinese rifle as used from the late 1950s throughout Vietnam in the 1960s and well into the 1970s. They are still in service today in China in an updated and improved model with stamped receivers and plastic hardware. These rifles are considered to be the most prolific of any assault rifle ever produced with estimates of all versions in all countries reaching well over 8 million actually produced. These early rifles have several easily distinguishable features including; the very desirable type three "milled" receiver, the flat muzzle nut, the milled front sight base with the enclosed front sight post, the receiver markings are all in Chinese to include the safe and automatic fire designation on the right side and no provisions for a bayonet and it has the correct flat sheet metal top cover. The left side of the receiver is marked with the distinctive factory "66" markings in a triangle next to the Chinese characters which designate it as a Type 56 rifle and the serial number. These long 1 Million series Chinese serial numbers were designed to disguise the actual numbers of AK-47 rifles produced and it would indicate that this rifle was actually produced in the 61 thousand range. It has the typical Chinese "Chu" wood on the stock, upper and lower handguards and the pistol grip. It is complete with one original Russian Ak-47 magazine manufactured by the Tula factory and an original Chinese marked AK-47 canvas sling. It has all the correct and original parts (top cover, bolt, bolt carrier/gas piston assembly, recoil spring guide and top handguard) each correctly serial numbered to match the rifle. Just a super early and all original Chinese AK 47 rifle.

Excellent overall with approximately 95-97% of the actual arsenal blued finish still remaining on the rifle with some minor wear on the edges and high spots overall with more wear and thinning starting to show on the side of the receiver in the milled out panels from actually carrying with the top cover and stamped parts of the lower handguard starting to show some browning. The wood components show numerous pressure dents and nicks with some and light gouges from actual use in the field. The face of the bolt does show a light firing ring with some roughness on the face of the gas piston, but the gas piston rod and inside the gas tube (of the top handguard) show no corrosion or pitting typically seen on these early rifles. As noted it has all matching serial numbers and is an honest and all original, early Chinese made AK47 rifle. Class III Weapon.