Manufactured at Factory 26 in China in 1960, the Type 53 was effectively a 1:1 perfect copy of the Soviet M44 Mosin-Nagant Carbine. As China adopted more advanced SKS and AK pattern rifles, the older Mosin-Nagant based weapons 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 October 1965 dated DD603 registration documentation is made out for this item as a "Chicom 1944 Carbine", identifying it by serial number as a war trophy and personal property of First Lieutenant Donald Sladkin, originally of Meadowbrook, Virginia, but at that time of Detachment B-32 of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Vietnam, then in Tay Ninh Sector. Among the first American units deployed to Vietnam, 5th SFG(A) would serve both in the advisory/trainer role as well as acting as an independent combat unit. A printed letter noted as coming from Sladkin describes his role in Tay Ninh as a "Deputy District Advisor", which involved himself and a SF captain organizing and leading local forces against the Viet Cong; located near the Cambodian border in South Vietnam, Tay Ninh was a major terminus point for the "Ho Chi Mihn Trail", and was a hotbed of clandestine activity. Per the letter, this carbine was captured during a mission, though the particulars are not recorded. The carbine itself features a hooded pin front sight and tangent rear sight, with the "26" factory mark, date and serial number on the chamber, matching numbers on the bolt, floorplate and buttstock, hinged side-folding bayonet, and a straight wrist stock with a flat buttplate. The left side of the stock is marked in white paint "13.5.65", suggesting Sladkin picked up about May. A small hole has been drilled through the buttstock to accommodate a metal bolt to secure it to an included hardwood frame (a second bolt passes through the sling cutout in the forearm).

Fair, showing wear and tear consistent with other documented Vietnam War field trophies; the jungle is not kind to wood and steel, and a jungle during a war even less so. Most of the metal surface has turned a mixed brown and gray patina, with original blue visible on the bayonet and magazine, mild spotting and light handling marks. The wood is in similar condition, with some chipping around the screw hole, rounding of the toe, and mild scuffs and stains. Mechanically excellent.