I'm late to the party here, but just stumbled across your awesome channel this evening. For what it's worth, the weapons of the KLA were "supposed" to have been turned in to NATO and UN personnel as part of the agreement ending the fighting for destruction. There are pictures on the net of large quantities of SKS rifles that look exactly like yours (and mine) and the ones Classic was selling in large piles under UN guard - those most assuredly ceased to exist. That being said, I would think it's a safe bet that there were still plenty that traveled back across the border with Albanians who had been volunteering in the KLA and didn't want to deal with the minor hinderance of having to explain why, as an Albanian citizen, they were on Kosovo soil with a paramilitary formation to the NATO/UN forces. And the next point is the Albanian crises. During the mid 90's Albania underwent a brief period of intense unrest where the government essentially opened all of the arsenals for citizens to equip themselves for self defense against criminal gangs that were rampaging in the south of the country. There are also many pictures from this period showing Albanian citizens equipping themselves with SKS's that also look exactly like the ones imported. As an additional caveat, I have seen several that have obvious crude replacement stocks (I own one, on a letter series type 56) and all of these are cut for spike bayonets, even though they might be equipped with blade bayonets. I think this is more evidence of the widespread use of all of these during the Albanian crises, turned in afterwards, given a rudimentary repair program, and then tossed back into storage before being issued to the KLA, with the remainder eventually exported to the US.
@Triangle26
8 ай бұрын
All great history - thank you for sharing!
@markbroad119
8 ай бұрын
Later to the show here as well, I was a little curious about the wording engraved into the stock of mine. It has a bunch of rings on it. Likely an empty case pressed into it. Rather right shape but shots great as intended. Thanks for all the information.
@SmokeEater509
7 күн бұрын
@@markbroad119 mine also has half to 3/4 rings pressed into the side of the stock
@lavida57
2 жыл бұрын
My respect for you just went up a few noches. Making money off war is common but still sleazy. Love the SKS info. I have a Chinese that has had a hard life and just picked up a Yugo with the Grenade launcher and sights it's freaking cool. I'm having fun thanks for the lessons.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Glad you are enjoying the videos, and more importantly your rifles!
@philliplatham4256
Жыл бұрын
👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🔫🔫🔫🔫☕️☕️
@randalleversole917
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your compassion towards our emeny, as a Nam vet, my heart is broken for both sides, war is a sad thing
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Thank you sir, well said.
@brenttesterman3171
11 ай бұрын
Amen brother, Peace be with you and yours
@jamesbeason9256
Жыл бұрын
Yep, mine was in 'the nam'. M21 42XX serial number. No maker mark. Requisitioned by my mentor from an NVA soldier outside of Danang in 64. Damn fine carbine
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Very cool. Those early M21s are certainly known to have disproportionately seen use in Vietnam.
@jamesbeason9256
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 Bob, my mentor, called her his "little g**k gun" and is being talked about 60 years later. I know the capture account. Bob died in 2008 from agent orange exposure. His widow called me to ask me if wanted it; his boys wanted nothing do with it. I flew to Atlantic City to get it. She declined money, l knew she would. l hid $400 under the candy dish with a note "for the boys.". That and the flight was every cent l had. Took it down, she went home in carry on. The rifle is original, right down to the too thick shellac on the stock and blood on the sling. First range trip, l cried. Just an ol' softy. Tell ya what, that rifle is 'dead on' (center mass)at 400 yds. Wish l could share photo of her with you. Bob 'grew me up'. I can speak for him and he'd get a kick out of you saying that. I do too. Mistin' up. Thanks, from both of us.... Old Guys
@42willys4
2 жыл бұрын
Brother Triangle 26, you need to write a book on the SKS. Seriously!
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks man. I've considered it, and I do have 20-30 pages of text bumping around. My attention span is a little bit of a handicap however(20 minute KZitem videos are a challenge in themselves), but who knows. Maybe one day!
@James-tf6du
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for putting out this content. I really appreciate how well you articulate the historical nature and significance of these firearms. I find myself being clumsy when attempting to telling others why I am so passionate about my modest collection.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching and being a subscriber. While I probably do have a general knack for articulation, it should also be noted that I have the advantage of scripting and editing my content. I write 70% of what I say before I say it, and then I edit out all of the parts where I still managed to sound like a bumbling moron.
@BattlefieldCurator
2 жыл бұрын
Moral of the story… don’t buy into the sales gimmick. It’s easy to see sales tactics when you look for the a culmination of verbiage, adjectives, opinionated representations, free giveaways, flashy website, and other tactics that certain companies use to lure you in. 🎣 disclosure: I did get a few Type 56’s from Classic as well, because I like the carbine and I thought they were a great deal. Also the overall history of the SKS is fascinating.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Yep, couldn't agree more. I often find myself making firearm purchases *in spite of,* rather than *because of,* the items marketing. I agree with you about the Classic Type 56 Carbines being a great deal. Smoke and mirrors aside, they were selling mechanically and historically excellent rifles at a great price. If memory serves, I bought two for $648. If I could go back I would have bought four...
@jonathonwilliamson9879
10 ай бұрын
Dude, as per the usual, you are so informed and your vids are so informative and they are super interesting. After you recently helped me to identify my Chinese Ghost 1956 SKS, i was telling other owner friends of mine that if this carbine could talk, what interesting tales it would tell. But the actual blood and kill record of my collection I can easily do without the specific knowledge of. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and passion of these historical pieces.
@wayneminor1185
20 күн бұрын
as a History Major, you hate to see someone distort History . Whether by accident or greed. It's telling that they haven't responded .
@Triangle26
17 күн бұрын
Couldn't agree more. The only response they gave me was pretending that they never made the claim. When I sent them a screenshot, they ghosted me.
@NCrdwlf
Жыл бұрын
About 8 years ago I ended up getting 4 cracked stock specials ( /26\ type 56 ) from J&G . They advertised them as Nagorno Karabakh conflict rifles brought out of Armenia ,and judging by some of the Azeri trench art on one , that would seem to add up. One of them wasn’t cracked at all , the others were stock repair candidates, and that was pretty fun . . All were early blade bayonets . All of them had tons of cosmoline and a lot of sand in the bottom of the magazines. These were someone’s rifles and I’ve left them as such, other than the basic stock repair to put them back in service .
@MrVegasTube
Жыл бұрын
Your passion is noted. And your content is very appreciated. Well done.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I really appreciate that. Thank you for watching!
@midorii77
2 жыл бұрын
You're a great storyteller. ♥
@jeremiahjohnson3018
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for putting this out there. While doing research on my Type 56 found the classic listing and found that mine was from the same importer that their batch came from. Leading me to believe that mine MAY have seen some combat use.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
It’s certainly possible. It’s rare to know the exact history of a rifle, but in this case it is reasonable to suspect that a not-insignificant number of these rifles may have seen combat in Kosovo, and there are always additional possibilities.
@oscarpaz27
4 ай бұрын
Bravo! Thank you for bringing all this up, the reason many of us have pieces like the SKS are not only as plain guns, but also as a reminder of painful episodes in history not to be taken lightly. No sane man that has seen combat has ever returned unscarred, cheap, tired maketing ploys are as much lazy as the are insulting to those who lay their luves on the battlefield.
@stephen8577
Жыл бұрын
Excellent channel. So much in depth information, respect from jolly old England 👍
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Many thanks from across the pond!
@ShaneT.0331
5 ай бұрын
I purchased one of those Albanian import SKS from PSA a few years back. I also have a Type 56 SKS that was a Vietnam bring back. The only reason I know it was brought back from Vietnam because it has all the capture/ bring back papers. I purchased it from the vets great niece who had inherited the rifle and didn't want it because she wasn't into guns.
@mcmelonmaster
Жыл бұрын
I picked up a type 56 in 2019 for a steal from PSA. It possibly came from Albania to the US. Then it was remarked in redmond WA. I imagine the 56 was submerged in cosmo for at least 20 years. Has alot of storage damage but for the price i couldnt pass on it.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Sweet. The PW Arms (Redmond WA) rifles did indeed come from Albania by way of an Austrian company called Limex, and it very likely was in cosmo since at least the late 1990s!
@444JonnyB
Ай бұрын
I like you. You know your stuff and you communicate it well. Again, I like you! And this is the first video I have commented on.
@kenchan3038
Жыл бұрын
Well said! I agree with your perspective 100% I keep my SKS as original as possible to respect it's history. If they could only speak.... what stories they would tell!
@Factory_Muff
2 жыл бұрын
Factory Bear here on my work phone. Mustache looks dope!
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks man 🥸
@Factory_Muff
2 жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 keep it. It’s you!
@jamescarter4175
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting video. Thanks. All this time I've been thinking that the one I have, which your other video helped me to date as a 1967 rifle, may have served in Vietnam.
@packers97100
8 ай бұрын
Love your videos and new to the SKS community, as all your videos, very well articulated and knowledgeable! To follow up with this, how can I go about narrowing down where a specific rifle may have been used, or a conflict? My buddy just picked up a 1969 triangle 26, 14 million series stamp. I find this very fascinating and would love to have more of a story. Thank you again for all your wonderful information!
@Triangle26
8 ай бұрын
Thanks for checking out the channel, glad to hear you've been bitten by the "SKS Bug". As for your question, there are really a wide range of circumstances to consider, and one of the most important is time and origin of import. For example, there were *many* 1969 rifles imported in the Albanian batch I describe in this video. If your buddy picked up his rifle from a primary market vendor (Bud's, Classic, Sportsman's Warehouse, etc) in the past couple years, that's a pretty strong clue that they came from Albania. In that case, the conflict it would be most easily tied to (or at least in the proximity of) would be Kosovo in the late 1990's.
@packers97100
7 ай бұрын
@@Triangle26 thanks for your reply! I’ll have to look into it a little further, It was from FOC in Canada, couldn’t see where they got this batch from. Thanks for your help!
@Cello217
Жыл бұрын
Great job on the videos, very informative. Thumbs up.
@426fourspeed
Жыл бұрын
This video earned my subscription! Excellently presented
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Thanks very much 🙏
@maverickpaladin4155
Жыл бұрын
Wish I'd been watching your channel 6 mos to a year ago. As always, keenly interesting content.
@uiudye
Жыл бұрын
Your thoughtful eloquence and dedication to historical facts reminds me of Atun Shei Films, perhaps a crossover is in order?
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I really appreciate that. I feel like I probably need to build up my credibility by a couple of... orders of magnitude... before aspiring towards collaboration. That said, I have enormous respect for Atun Shei Films as a researcher and historical content maker.
@williamdaniels1450
Жыл бұрын
My classic firearms order from this batch was 2013, or at least the item number is the same. I do recall the Vietnam reference, but after I recieved it , the trench art was clearly not from that region. I posted a video review back in 2013 on youtube , and one comment said that batch came from Albania.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I had forgotten about those 2013 imports. I assume it came through the same import chain as the recent batch, but I could be wrong.
@christhejunglist
Жыл бұрын
Once again, youve done your research. Bravo! Now it's time to start expanding to more combloc discussion. Im stoked I found your channel, keep up the good work! ~ Chris
@mrhalfstep
2 жыл бұрын
I've "liked" all of your videos that I've watched and, after watching this one, I have now subscribed. I'm intrigued by your "extensive test" teaser. LOL Good marketing, yourself, I guess. I have another question to ask you (you've responded to several others I've posted recently on your other videos) about the 1962 #26 type 56 SKS that you've helped me date. I haven't really considered its involvement in the Vietnam War until I watched this video. Since I avoided the war by being 1 year too young to be drafted into it, I'm now left wondering what the chances are that I might have gone up against this gun, had I been a soldier there. I know that the gun isn't one of the ones that you were addressing in this video, because I bought it well before there was any import ban, I'd guess mid 1980s, but I'm old and my memory can't pin it down exactly. I did grow up in the "fog" of the 60s and 70s, as well, after all. LOL Is there anything that would make my gun more likely to have been sent to Vietnam than some other conflict, or is the best you could predict is that it MAY have been. For instance, did any importer back in the 80s claim their guns were VC issued? Or did the Chinese issue new stock every year for the all 20 years of the war or were there years where much production went there and other years they supplied other conflicts instead? Was there an average lifespan for a gun in combat? Are you aware of those sorts of details being available or others that I haven't thought of? Really like your channel and I'll do all I can to help your algorithm, but I stay away from social media and therefore I can't "share". Am I correct in believing that comments help?
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for subscribing - I'm glad my little marketing trick paid off. A few great questions here, so I will try to hit them in order: 1) Of rifles that were imported from China to the United States before the 1993 ban, I suspect that an *extremely small* percentage *may* been involved in the Vietnam conflict. These would have been rifles manufactured in the 1960's, delivered to North Vietnam, recaptured in the Sino-Vietnamese war of 1979, and reintroduced to inventory in 1980 just in time for the big export waves. Unfortunately, identifying such rifles would be next to impossible. The most likely candidates would be early "M21" variants showing signs of heavy use along with commercial Chinese export marks, but even then there would be alternate plausible explanations. 2) In more general terms, tying specific rifles to specific conflicts in an imperfect science. Many people turn to heavy wear and signs of use, which is logical, but really not reliable. Armies train in the field, and training creates very "authentic" wear patterns. Usually what *I* look for is inventory marks, "trench art" (usually in the form of regionally specific nationalist slogans), damage caused by bullets or shrapnel, or in very rare cases - distinct rust (or even more reliably, stain patterns in slings) consistent with blood pooling. 3) I am unaware of any importer legitimately claiming to have a batch of VC issued rifles. 4) To the best of my knowledge, China sent dozens upon dozens of arms shipments to Vietnam, beginning in the first Indochina War, and escalating rapidly during US involvement. I don't know what percentage of firearms were Type 56 Carbines, but I do know that China sent Vietnam nearly 2 million small arms over the course of US involvement, with multiple shipments occurring every year. I believe these included a combination of new and previously inventories weapons - and the scale is such that pretty much anything that could have happened, probably did. 5) Liking videos and posting a comment feeds the algorithm (as best as I understand). I'm not aware of, nor asking for any support beyond that! I hope all that helps. I sincerely appreciate your support and interest in these topics!
@Shane-oc7xi
Жыл бұрын
I've personally acquired 2 type 56 sks rifles from classic firearms years apart, the 1st being a early 4 digit blade type. 2nd was an 11mil serial number which is one of the batches i think you're speaking of. My searches for documented vietnam sks bring backs have mostly been in the 11mil serial number range not all but mostly, doesn't mean all 11mils were in vietnam but definitely the same time period.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
It’s prudent to note that there are more than 600,000 11-mil (1966) Type 56 Carbines. It is quite literally the most common SKS variant on the planet!
@HandsomeSexyBadGuy
11 күн бұрын
How many type 56 carbines were used and sent to nam?
@jerdog333
2 жыл бұрын
Great video! I really enjoy your videos and look forward to taking (failing) the SKS Test. I bought a 1952 Tula with all matching numbers a few years ago and have been really interested in the platform ever since. I'm sure the guy who sold it to me etched the numbers in himself, but until someone proves that, I'll continue thinking I have a cool piece of Russian history that is all matching. haha. Regardless of the numbers, it's so beautiful and nearly perfect. It must have been on guard duty or something. And to think of the cold Russian winter outside while some regular Russian citizen was forced into making rifles and mine came off that assembly line. I'm not happy that someone's grandma was forced into making rifles, but like you said, we can have sorrow for those negatively affected by these firearms, while still enjoying them. I'm rambling. Sorry. Thanks for the video!
@stoegerstewie8351
2 жыл бұрын
I have a 52 too, they are common for some reason, chrome lined barrel, matching but no magazine. Amazing blueing for a 70 years old.
@jerdog333
2 жыл бұрын
@@stoegerstewie8351 Yea, mine's in such good condition I feel like it's a referb, but I have no idea.
@stoegerstewie8351
2 жыл бұрын
@@jerdog333 Look for the slashed square on the buttstock or receiver cover, kinda faint but should be there.
@jerdog333
2 жыл бұрын
@@stoegerstewie8351 A "slashed square" indicates it's a refurbished rifle? Interesting. That you for that!
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks very much for commenting! Crude "force matching" of parts is not at all unusual on Russian examples, so I wouldn't worry about it too much - it is very likely original as it left Russia. Either way it sounds like its in great shape, and that's what really matters right. Stoeger Stewie is 100% correct that a "slashed square" is an indication of Soviet refurbishing. It can often be found stamped on the receiver cover, near the date and Tula Arsenal mark! Thanks again!
@TheThridwolf
Жыл бұрын
I that a Swiss k31 antique in the back? love he muzzle cover
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
That’s a Swiss 96/11, an immediate predecessor to the K31! I’m a huge fan of both rifles.
@darthmartinez
2 жыл бұрын
I too believe those SKS rifles are from Albania. Some of the rifles had Albanian SKS replacement parts such as bayonets and butt plates I remember seeing some in there own unboxing videos. I also believe the under folding Type-56-1 AK builds that they were selling from James River Armory also came from Albanian as well as the Chinese TT-33's they were selling.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
That makes sense! I wasn't following the 56-1 AK builds and TT-33s super closely, but that's very logical. It would also support the notion that they did indeed know exactly where all this stuff was coming from, and deliberately chose to conceal that from consumers... Either way, oh well! I'm not going to complain too loudly - they were all awesome firearms made available at reasonable prices.
@hobofactory
2 жыл бұрын
For disclosure’s sake I’ve had a few negative experiences with Classic so maybe I’m more sour but I think I’ve objectively observed examples of them crafting misleading listings. For one example, I refer to a batch of M1 carbines they were selling evidently from RTI’s Ethiopian cache (although they never said that’s where they were from)…by the way, they charged more than RTI themselves were asking. Their ad featured the unusual statement that the carbines don’t have an “importer assigned serial number” which some in the comment section of the associated video took to mean, “no import mark”(thus justifying the higher price). In reality they did have import marks, it’s just that importer didn’t have to assign new SN’s because the existing ones met all of the applicable requirements. From a collector’s perspective an import mark is an import mark so there’s no real reason to point out the mark lacks a new SN other than to either create the impression that it matters, or worse, to directly mislead people into thinking there is no import mark.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for commenting. To be perfectly honest, my personal opinion of CF is notably more critical than what I portray in this video. My intention was to stick to the facts and avoid watering down the historical context with subjective opinion. That said, I agree with your observations and share your skepticism. It’s happened too many times to be a coincidence, and their language is too precise to be unintentional. Frankly it all strikes me as silly, because this surely hurts them more than it helps them. The products will sell no matter how they describe them, so all they are really accomplishing is embittering a significant chunk of their customer base.
@adamrule9435
2 жыл бұрын
Well spoken, also I like your new channel logo.
@adamrule9435
2 жыл бұрын
Forgot to ask what do you think of the Chinese fiberglass stocks?
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. A friend of mine was teasing me because my old logo looked like it was made in Microsoft Paint, and when I told him that it actually was, he felt so bad for me that he whipped out a better one lol.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
@@adamrule9435 The Chinese fiberglass stocks are legit. I’m a sucker for wood and steel personally, but the fiberglass has its place. Technically I believe that they aren’t actually fiberglass, but rather fiber infused phenolic resin. I won’t claim to really understand this distinction, and I’m definitely guilty of contributing to the confusion on terminology here. The drawback to these stocks is that they are noticeably heavier than traditional catalpa wood stocks, but they are definitely *far* more resistant to the elements. My “paratrooper” model wears a fiberglass stock and I consider it to be a pretty real advantage, because I go out of my way to abuse that rifle - and it can take it. Most importantly (to me), they are a genuine Chinese military product. There is debate as to whether or not they actually saw any real use, but they were definitely developed concurrently with resin based Type 63 stocks as part of an individual weapon system improvement package, so it wouldn’t be considered an “incorrect” component on a Type 56 Carbine. A very cool option for those so inclined by the function or aesthetic of the product.
@aaronpearson2446
Жыл бұрын
Great video. My SKS is similar to yours. Same year. Would like to know more accurate history on them
@antoniostinios3190
9 ай бұрын
Great video, I just recently picked up a Chinese SKS from Cabelas, I’m in Canada, it’s a 1969 date production, and has very little wear, the guys at Cabelas told me they think the rifles in the shipment were just used as drill rifles and then stored. Do you know anything about those shipments coming into Canada, and if you were to guess what kinda of service do you think they have seen?
@Jaffacall3251
2 жыл бұрын
They were legal to import because they were stored in a neutral country for a period of time, and they were C&R I.E 50 years or older, whats interesting is the importer was able to get albania to sort the rifles and select them by date range so they could be imported, I wonder if we will see more and more imported as 50 years from now is 1972, will newer imports be rifles from the 1970's, the first batches all seemed like mid 1960's and older. Mine was from classic when they first came available, it's a 1966 trigger group doesn't match but everything else does, stock is rough and some light bluing wear, but the bore is absolutely immaculate, handled a lot, fired little if at all I think
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
The legality of it all is quite interesting to me. It may be that the importer got an ATF letter designating a batch as Curio and Relics, despite not all of them being 50 years old. The ATF can recognize sub-50 year old firearms categorically, such as the CZ-82 for example. I did see at least a few 1970 production rifles in the batch that Classic sold in 2019, which means that they did not legally have defacto C&R status at that time.
@outdoorvideoswithbrad
Жыл бұрын
I got a Chinese sks with bayonet and it’s rough but I got mine at a gun show and the sellers didn’t know where it came from, but it’s cool and ya I collect Vietnam gear, I also rock a mustache sometimes I like my push broom haha
@timarnold9969
Жыл бұрын
Great stuff! Thank you for your honest, knowledgable and intelligent information. I have learned a lot.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Great to hear, thanks so much for watching and commenting.
@michaelbirdsong196
Жыл бұрын
The way my uncle said places had sks rifles by the pallet . Makes me wonder if people didn’t buy them by the truckload years ago .
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I've wondered that also. Hard to imagine there aren't a few bunkers packed with a hundred rifles and quarter million rounds of Chinese ammo...
@fratercontenduntocculta8161
Жыл бұрын
Mine definitely was buried in a rice paddy judging the condition of the stock. I had an expert friend of mine tell me that, so I'm saying it's a bringback.
@Cello217
Жыл бұрын
Respect the stash!
@idaro-qn2rd
Жыл бұрын
Great video! Thank you 🍻
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@cartermorey8647
Жыл бұрын
absolute best sk guy on the tube!
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I really appreciate that. Thanks for watching.
@davidcorman9469
5 ай бұрын
Like to here more about the Russian versions SKS year 1952
@richardturk7162
5 ай бұрын
Historical information is why I come here. I would venture to say 85% of the imported Chinese SKS rifles were never used in Vietnam. Shady advertising is something we all need to keep and eye on.
@richardlahan7068
Жыл бұрын
Can you make an educated guess as to whether or not my Chinese Type 56 was used in a particular conflict or was part of a particular Chinese military aid program? I have a Triangle 26, short lug Type 56 made in 1965. It is in the 10 million series.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Assuming that your rifle was imported within the past 10 years: -It can essentially be guaranteed that it was part of the Albanian aid program. -There is a moderate likelihood that it may have been involved or at least proximate to the Kosovo war in some capacity. -There is no evidence to indicate involvement in any other aid program or conflicts.
@richardlahan7068
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 Thanks!
@BL-ir9kc
2 жыл бұрын
Good info, thanks! 24th MEU 98-99. Semper Fi
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
There we go. I think I saw a news story about the 24th MEU at the US embassy in Tirana when I was in elementary school. Thanks for watching Devil.
@BL-ir9kc
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 I enjoy my "Tour of Albania" Type 56 almost as much as my memories of that float. Keep up the good work, /26\!
@chs82ndab
Жыл бұрын
Truth matters, false advertising matters even if it comes from a reputable company. As a long time milsurp collector knowing the history of the weapons I collect is extremely important if I have access to that information. Trying to entice buyers with the false "Nam" participation is wrong. I've seen the Albanian carvings on these guns, actual history from actual people, not made up.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Exactly.
@durbeshpatel3047
Жыл бұрын
Hey thats my rifle!
@ammocache6879
Жыл бұрын
I will never buy from Classic again. I bought a bayonet from them and they describe it as surplus very good. That's a made up term used only by Classic and a few other companies. The bayonet had chips and dings in about 10 places (it was a hand select). I was loyal customer having spent in $5000 in the previous 2 months. They told me finally they would pay for return shipping and I asked if I could get a better one. They told me there were not any better ones. But their picture showed a better one.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Yep, lots of horror stories with Classic. I've personally always had good luck with them, but I seem to be an exception. They definitely shoot themselves in the foot with dishonest descriptions. I'm no businessman, but it's hard for me to believe that they wouldn't place a greater emphasis on customer satisfaction.
@chadmorgan82
Жыл бұрын
So got a question I have a Norinco type 56 with spike bayonet. My bayonet will not stay tight against forearm when it is closed. It locks up solid when deployed but has play when closed. Any suggestions on how to fix this.?
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
There are a few possibilities here. Here are the two most likely: 1) Your bayonet may be installed upside down. While not always immediately obvious, Chinese spike bayonets do have a “top” and a “bottom”. Try dissembling your bayonet assembly, rotating the spike 180 degrees, and reinstalling. That may resolve your problem. If it does not… 2) You may have the wrong type of locking collar (probably an early Russian one that got thrown in) or a worn out spring. These are relatively cheap replacement parts, and will most likely fix the issue.
@louislavoie1238
3 ай бұрын
I think his mustach fits the Vietnam theme.
@cheesenoodles8316
11 ай бұрын
Sometimes marketing has no conscious. Buyer beware.
@lucky-rowe2623
Жыл бұрын
Can you tell us more about the SKS rifles that were imported by PW Arms in Redmond Washington??
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I do intend to cover that in greater detail at some point. For now, the short version is that everything I say about the “Classic” rifles (imported by Foxtrot Lima Enterprise) is also true of the PW Arms rifles. Public US import records show that a Austrian dealer (Limex GmbH) sold large quantities of small arms to *both* Foxtrot and PW Arms simultaneously, with maybe 60% of the total inventory going to PW. Limex is known to have purchased their inventory in Albania. It’s therefor *almost certain* that all the rifles left the same Albanian warehouses at the same time, and any differences between the inventory received by one importer versus another purely reflects the Chinese tendency to group rifles based on year of manufacture.
@lucky-rowe2623
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 I guess my question wasn't asked very well. Is PW Arms a current importer or were they doing it back in the 1990's or earlier? I live next to Washington state and they are so anti-firearm I found it odd for someone to be doing business in that state. Thanks for taking the time to respond and thanks for all of this great info!
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
@@lucky-rowe2623 Oh, understood! Thanks for clarifying. I don’t have any info on that off the top of my head, but I’ll put it on the list for the future!
@JustaGuy1250
Жыл бұрын
unrelated to the video, but here's a fun fact you might not know: State Arsenal 296 is also known as Jianshe Arsenal, named after the region it is/was located in. State Arsenal 816 ((/816\) is known as Jianfeng Arsenal
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Interestingly, I was educated on this a bit by a very helpful Chinese-American viewer… Jianshe means “construction” and is the proper name of the State Arsenal 296, which is located in the municipality of Chongqing. My notes have the proper name of State Arsenal 816 as “Jianfeng Chemical Corporation”, so sounds like we are on the same page there!
@JustaGuy1250
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 nearly, i misremembered Jianshe as being the regional name! yeah i've done lots of digging into Chinese firearms. I collect Vietnam-era weapons myself, so far got a K-50M, Type-54 (pps-43), Type-53 (DPM) and have owned multiple Type-56 SKS' which i regret selling... got a Type-56 RPG-2 on the way right now, can't wait to receive that. Sadly, these are bit tougher to date than any other chinese firearm.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
@@JustaGuy1250 That’s honestly a super cool collecting niche. I know very little about those weapons, but it definitely inspires me to do some reading. I’ve always been daunted by the legal obstacles associated with collecting subguns and machine guns, but man I’m always jealous when I see the collection of someone that has made it happen. Super cool.
@JustaGuy1250
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 well, throw in the fact I'm European and it all becomes a whole lot more shitty Cuz you see, none of these work anymore.. But hey, just glad we can still keep them even if they have been deactivated.. We've been close to banning them entirely way too many times already
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
@@JustaGuy1250 Ah, fair enough. Still extremely cool. Frankly their value as material history is what I find most interesting, and that’s not contingent on their activation status.
@petepedro350
8 ай бұрын
If classic lied about never saying it then the option of giving them the benefit of the doubt is voided imo
@williamschmidt4229
Жыл бұрын
Bro the army stash I look even goofy r with it my basic training was benning also my ait
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Nice. I just ETS’d, and not gunna lie, having to shave like a dork was like 51% of that decision.
@williamschmidt4229
Жыл бұрын
I bought 3 they cleaned up well
@bumpercoach
Жыл бұрын
have 2 "brothers" of 10million serials ... one I got for 2.5bens from classic as overly ragged for 4bens pricing and another w/ all the same features which I got by an interesting story from a favored pawn shop for only 1ben more but in remarkably unused condition
@mikem9267
Жыл бұрын
Not really sure why this is news, I mean anyone who cared to look up info on an sks would have found the sks files forum and known that the classic sks rifles came from Albania. This is not news i knew this 2 + years ago when I bought an sks from classic. I don't believe this was hidden, if you look at sks forms the location these rifles came from is openly talked about. I sent pictures of the rifle I bought from classic back in 2019 and I knew at the time it was from Albania.
@daleeasternbrat816
Жыл бұрын
Mine has a guy's name, some trench art and seems to have Albanian writing on it,. $250/cracked stock. Lucky me . The handguard had a minor but obvious chip. Good shooter, really solid. I bought a Chinese Bakelite/fiberglass/composite/? jungle stock that was never installed and and the proper blade bayonett to fit that stock. Perfect for Florida hogs. When the rifle arrived the actual stock wasn't cracked at all. Hell, we all knew those /26\ guns were from Albania. End result: I got a really good shooting companion rifle for 250, a red Chinese jungle stock with handguard for $80 and a blade bayonett for $68. Plus the "cracked stock" turned out to be OK. Not much for the perfect Florida Gun. I have as much fun shooting that rifle as I do my Supermatch M1-A . And the SKS is a lot cheaper to feed. Just what are those Chinese jungle stocks made out of ?
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Awesome. That’s a phenomenal rifle for the price. As to what the Chinese jungle stocks are made of: fiber reinforced phenolic resin. I think.
@daleeasternbrat816
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 "" I've figured out how the Federal Reserve works. I think." - Albert Einstein. The mystery meat the Chinese used may never be exactly determined. Your take on it is about as close as anyone has ever come since I first saw one of those, in the 70s. I have got my stock to just about but not quite fit. I may actually take it to a gunsmith for that. This SKS will end up being a very solid and good.looking rifle.
@rcman1023
9 ай бұрын
If possible could I send you some pictures of my type 56 carbine in a few days? Been watching alot of your videos as I just got one and am very interested in the history of it / knowing more about it. I don't know if I have the eyes / skill like you do to date these and or give me any information on them.
@rcman1023
9 ай бұрын
If not I understand
@Triangle26
9 ай бұрын
triangletwentysix@gmail.com, happy to take a look
@williamdevitt7866
Жыл бұрын
i have a Chinese type 56 and the date code is like 1968 was it in nam i doubt it do i care nope its just like the m1 garand every one has one that was in ww2 and in some famous battle right now my sks along with my russians from a few 1949 to 1954 do i care if they were in some war nope my type 56 could have been in some battle it is a 68 factory 26 right time era for nam but i doubt that it ever fired at any one and to me all the better
@williamschlosser77
7 ай бұрын
The only markings on my sks are: R 5654. No grenade launcher, blade bayonet. What is it?
@Triangle26
7 ай бұрын
Hmm, that's curious. I can't say for sure - there are a few possibilities that jump out at me. If you want to shoot me an email with pictures at "triangletwentysix@gmail.com", I can probably tell you for sure.
@williamschlosser77
7 ай бұрын
@Triangle26 sorry. I was being lazy. Took it out of the stock and it's chinese.
@PinChE_LoCo
2 жыл бұрын
This does it!! . I'm cutting the barrel ! Does it matter if the importer markings is on the barrel ? 🤔😏
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
According to my understanding of the Gun Control Act of 1968, there is nothing illegal about removing import marks from a Title 1 firearm, with the exception of an import assigned serial number. That said, import assigned serial numbers (like all serial numbers) are required to be placed on the regulated component of the firearm, which in the case of the SKS is the receiver. Therefor, Federal Law states that you are well within your rights to deface or otherwise destroy import markings on the barrel of any SKS which is not also a registered NFA item. Not a lawyer, but I’d say chop away lol.
@PinChE_LoCo
2 жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 I want to make a paratrooper.
@victorracel4140
Жыл бұрын
Yes! Comment 120 I feel like a winner.
@jacspring5459
5 ай бұрын
The Latin words "caveat emptor" come to mind here.
@Themuffinman1820
8 ай бұрын
Im pretty sure my /26\ was in albanian. Its got writting carved into it. Not ocmpletly sure though
@Triangle26
8 ай бұрын
Very likely. Especially if it entered the country recently.
@donjohnson5172
Жыл бұрын
The mustache must stay. It obviously adds +10 speechcraft
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
😂
@red9man2130
Жыл бұрын
These classic sks rifles very LIKELY came out of Albania.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
The rifles sold by Classic were imported by “Foxtrot Lima Enterprises, LLC”, sourced from “Limex GmbH” of Austria, who confirms that shipment origin was Albania. I probably should have mentioned that in the video - but the takeaway is that it’s NOT a matter of likelihood. It’s a matter of public record.
@stoegerstewie8351
2 жыл бұрын
I noticed that almost all of Buds Guns unboxings on KZitem and my own example are 14xxxxxx serial so 1969 made. I searched Albanian Chinese relations and can't figure when exactly China sent these to Albania.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
I have noticed the same - and have had the same questions. As best as I can tell, Chinese economic and military aid was consistently flowing to Albania from 1961 to 1978. It’s unclear to me exactly what was sent at what time, but anecdotal evidence suggests that multiple large shipments took place during both decades. It’s also interesting to note that China was extremely involved in the development of Albanian production capabilities (the iconic extended length Albanian hand guard was actually designed at State Arsenal 296 in China), and that gives us some clues. I’ve read reference to at least 3,000 Type 56 Carbines being in Albania as early as 1962, but based on your observations, we also know that much larger quantities were still transferring well into the 1970’s.
@stoegerstewie8351
Жыл бұрын
Mustache looks awesome!
@Berkut-0001
Жыл бұрын
Nice langgewehr 96/11 in the back 😁
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Phenomenally smooth and accurate rifle - honestly one of my all time favorites.
@terrybrown5402
Жыл бұрын
So how do you know classic mislead people because mine was marked vietnam era and i bought it the day they dropped them for sale on the website.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Gee, I sure thought I explicitly answered that question multiple times throughout the video. In case I'm going crazy, the key here is reading full sentences. Classic stated: "these are all very early rifles, ie. Pre Vietnam to Early Vietnam Era rifles *which probably saw use in that conflict* ..." The misleading part is in bold. Hope that clears things up!
@JohnGalt1960
Жыл бұрын
Where was arsenal 906 located? When was it operational? Anybody know?
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I know this one. 906, also known as “Chengdu Electric Machinery Factory” or “Chengdu Motor Factory” was set up in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. The factory was set up under Soviet supervision, and as the name suggests, they mostly made engines. Factory was built in 1958 and went operational in 1965. The factory was restructured and relocated in 2006, but remains in business to this day as “Chengdu Weijing Motor Company”.
@MegaBait1616
Жыл бұрын
Classic made their name on the M-39's they sold.... Ive bought quite a few items from them except their ammo.... Don't even have a shop they sell out of either n my house isn't far from them.. At my range people keep saying they don't even have a ffl they use another company ? I don't know but milsurp market is now over.. when ya see a Mosin M-38 going for a "K" ya know the golden era is toast.. be well.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
I remember the M-39 days. Good times.
@MegaBait1616
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 , Got 2 rifles a Sako n VKT both 1942 in very good shape.. be well.
@st9041
8 ай бұрын
Was Uncle Ben being deceptive. !!!!!!!
@Triangle26
8 ай бұрын
Funny anecdote - one of the most consistent things I have heard from Classic Firearms employees is that Ben is a great dude. I don't blame people for teasing him, he was the public face of a notoriously shady company, however for whatever it's worth, I hear that off-camera Ben is one of the most well-liked and stand-up guys that works there.
@xfirehurican
Жыл бұрын
/26\, During my postings in Beograd '90-'92, Sarajevo '95-'96 and Kosova '98-'99, I can state with 💯% certainty, first-hand and eyes-on, that all sides - in all former republics (FRY); whether JNA, HDZ, KLA and citizen soldiers, including a group of Mujahideen 'advisors' in Bosnia, all sides carried and fought with the SKS - Russian, Yugo, Chinese and Albanian (unsure about Romanians, only because I never saw one first-hand).
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
That’s fascinating, thank you for sharing. I’m always grateful to hear from people who saw these moments with their own eyes! While you were watching the breakup of Yugoslavia, I was still learning to tie my shoes.
@xfirehurican
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26You're welcome. I had several 'interesting' and extremely educational postings during my 23-year career with the Foreign Service; which also included the former-Soviet republics, Central and South America and ultimately, North Africa.
@ethanh8791
2 жыл бұрын
This is the first thing that came to mind: kzitem.info/news/bejne/jnyV2ohjqmp2eWU - but more seriously, I'm glad I bought one from said seller w/o caring whether it was "used in 'nam". Thank you as always for the informative content!
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. That Cheers clip is perfect, if I was better at video editing I would definitely have included that!
@Factory_Muff
2 жыл бұрын
If China didn’t ask for them back from Albania, why would they have asked them back from Vietnam? My 65 is Vietnam era not Vietnam used. Mine probably killed my Serbian Orthodox brothers which is even worse for my soul.
@Triangle26
2 жыл бұрын
That’s really an excellent point, I wish I would have thought to mention that. Many people fail to recognize that shipping hundreds of thousands of rifles is *expensive,* which is why these military aid programs are so often abandoned. The US military technically still owns huge numbers of M1 Garands and M1 Carbines all over the world, but we’ve made it clear we are never coming back for them because we have no interest in paying the shipping cost to get them back! It’s true, about your ‘65. I keep my soul squeaky clean by remembering that owning the rifle is an act of remembrance, not endorsement.
@Factory_Muff
2 жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 Amin frate! Good point . Remembrance not endorsement.
@warrengently6418
2 жыл бұрын
If China had asked for them to be returned from Vietnam, Vietnam would have said "Make us. LOL"
@robertfusco3884
Жыл бұрын
Is “historicity” a word? 😄🇺🇸
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
It’s is lol, it means “historical authenticity”. Kind of hard to use without sounding like a dork, but a useful word all the same.
@JustaGuy1250
Жыл бұрын
the whole "Vietnam era" isn't really wrong most are late 60's made example thus.. they fall in that era of history though yes, saying they were "probably used in that conflict" is a straight up lie.
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
Absolutely. These rifles are indeed “Vietnam Era”, and when taken independently - it’s an accurate claim. When combined with the second half to that sentence, I think it serves a disingenuous function of falsely the rifles to the Vietnam conflict. It also feels prudent to note that the official dates of the Vietnam War are November 1955 to April 1975, so calling a Type 56 Carbine “vietnam era” is a pretty useless distinction anyway. It’s *true,* but it just doesn’t narrow things down in any meaningful way, because almost all Type 56 Carbines are Vietnam Era. Just calling them “mid to late 1960’s” production is so much more helpful 🤷♂️
@JustaGuy1250
Жыл бұрын
@@Triangle26 if they're advertised as "60's" then they might get lawsuits if some guy gets a 1970's rifle. and well, they'll lose as in that case.. they lied with the "60's" advertisement. Vietnam era just sounds better and gives them loads of leniancy
@Triangle26
Жыл бұрын
@@JustaGuy1250Interesting choice of example, considering that Classic listed the entire batch as Curio and Relic eligible. Chinese Type 56 Carbines have not been specially granted Curio and Relic status, therefor they only earn this status by de facto upon reaching 50 years of age. 50 years prior to 2019 was 1969, meaning that Classic *did* legally attest to their rifles having been manufactured prior to 1970, they just chose not to make that explicit to the customer. In any case - we seem to agree on the core point that Classic lied about these rifles having been most likely used in the Vietnam war. They could have called them “Cold War Era” they could have called them “Space Race Era”, they could have called them “late 1960’s or earlier”, but instead they chose to say “Vietnam Era *and* probably saw use in that conflict”, which when taken as a whole claim, is demonstrably unfounded.
@Balaclavaballistics
Жыл бұрын
No, it was in Albania
@gregday9943
4 ай бұрын
I got a russian sks that was used in the cold war....... . Lol
@leftistnazicensorship8882
Жыл бұрын
Yeah I don’t even look at classic firearms anymore. The are liars about everything. The rifles pedigree the rifles condition the shipping times and my personal favorite we screwed up and sent you the wrong rifle but you have to pay for shipping. What a joke. What ever grade classic says it is always expect it to be two grades below.
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