Manufactured in China, and patterned after the Soviet M44 carbine with a hooded post front, tangent rear sights, and integral folding cruciform spike bayonet. The barrel shank is dated "1966" below the Chinese factory marking. Mounted on a hardwood stock and handguard set with sling loops and a steel buttplate. The stock has been painted red. The carbine includes a display board with a brass plaque in the center reading "JOHN WAYNE/CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN/HAYDEN FOR CONGRESS/TOM HAYDEN/JULY 4, 1970". In 1970 the veteran actor served as the campaign chairman for Republican congressional candidate Tom Hayden in the 22nd congressional district of Los Angeles County. The display board is also marked with a dedication in Vietnamese which translates as "A GIFT FROM COLONEL TON THAT DONG, COMMANDING OFFICER AND OFFICER VING BINH ARM HEADQUARTER" The carbine includes a cloth sleeve, and certificate of authenticity from John Wayne Enterprises, signed by President Ethan Wayne, certifying this as the personal property of John Wayne.

Fair. The metal components have a mostly gray patina with buffed light markings, rounded edges and cleaning marks. The painted wood is also fair with the front sling loop absent and splintering, small indentations throughout, general handling marks, and heavy pitting and flaking on the buttplate. Mechanically very good. The display board is very fine with general handling and storage marks. There is a lot of potential "upswing" in this timely presentation grouping!