I have a "beater" Chinese Type 53. CAI import. I'm wondering what someone might be able to tell me about the markings. The 1955 is obvious enough, but the Chinese characters and the "26" are mysteries.

The numbers on the reciever, magazine, and buttplate match, the bolt does not.

The stock is in poor condition but there are a few very faint stamps visible, noteably a small star on the butt stock near the escution and what appears to be a number, possibly and "18" near it as well

Beater or not, is a favorite rifle of mine and I'd like to know a bit more about it.

TYIA!

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]