This is an extremely rare example of an early Chinese experimental semi-automatic rifle that was developed around 1918/20. The top of the receiver ring is marked in Chinese characters and a loose translation is "Chinese Peoples Army Rifle, Hanyang Arsenal." We believe that this is the same exact rifle that is pictured in "The Book of the Garand" by Hatcher on page 20. This rifle model was designed/submitted by General T.E. Liu of the Nationalist Chinese Government, during the time when the U.S. Ordnance dept was beginning to search for suitable candidates to replace all their 1903 bolt action rifles. This example was probably evaluated by Springfield Armory circa 1918/20. This was a time when various countries were attempting to convert their armies from using a standard bolt action rifle to using the new semi-automatic rifles that were being developed throughout the world. This rifle uses the Bang gas-trap type design only modified by the Chinese along with a newly designed bolt locking mechanism with a two-position, adjustable gas system. It has a long all machined receiver that has an integral raised center section that the bolt actually slides through which is then attached to the rear of the action/bolt cover. It has a telescoping bolt with the locking lugs positioned at the rear of the bolt. It has a full length stock and top handguard with no markings. It has a standard military style tangent rear sight and a blade front sight. There are no caliber markings. However, the bore measures approximately 8 mm, so we assume it is chambered in 7.92 Mauser cartridge, as the Chinese had been using and manufacturing the Model 1888 Mauser rifle.

Very fine with 85% of the faded original blue finish remaining overall having browned out on most of the exposed metal surfaces. The stock and handguard are also both in excellent condition with minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is certainly a very rare and unique example of this Chinese rifle design.