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!

The three characters on the top line say " 5 3 Type"

You can google "Chinese numbering"

'Type' (looking kind of like and IT) is a common symbol on Japanese guns. Must be the same in Chinese.

You could have done a lot better job on the photos. Maybe you have a Japanese gun. I dont care. I wont be back. Happy to help out with the Type 53.