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LOT 495
Historic Vietnam Bring Back Chinese Type 56 SKS Semi-Automatic Carbine with Folding Bayonet and Capture Papers - Serial no. 11304921, 7.62x39 mm cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. Manufactured in China at Factory 26, this Type 56 Carbine was one of many to be sent South during the Vietnam war by the Chinese as aid to the communist North Vietnamese, and such carbines were used extensively throughout the conflict. According to the included DD Form 603 war trophy registration paperwork, dated April 8, 1969, this carbine was claimed by E-5 Gary L. Swanson of the Military Sea Transportation Service Office, Vietnam (MSTSOV) at the Commander, Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV) station in Saigon, South Vietnam. The date on the paperwork falls just a few months after the end of the Tet Offensive, during which the city of Saigon was a primary target for the North Vietnamese. While not explicitly documented, it may have been taken as a trophy from the Tet Offensive. Features a hooded post front and tangent rear sights, with standard receiver markings, and a folding blade bayonet. The bolt, floorplate, and trigger guard, have matching serial numbers to the rifle. An included customs document, dated April 8, 1969, also lists a French MAS-36 rifle as another trophy taken by Gary L. Swanson, featured in the following lot. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 90% arsenal refurbished blue finish with light handling marks and slight spotting on the gas block, front sight, and bayonet. The lacquered stock is also fine with light handling marks and inconsistencies in the finish. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 496
Historic Vietnam Bring Back French MAS Model 1936 Bolt Action Rifle with Capture Papers - Serial no. FG79161, 7.5 mm French cal., 23 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, hardwood stock. Developed at St. Etienne prior to the outbreak of World War II, the MAS 1936 was a main-line French infantry rifle during the early years of the Cold War, and continued on in colonial service well into the 1960s. These rifles saw extensive use during the First Indochina War, with many falling into Vietnamese hands during the conflict. According to the included DD Form 603 war trophy registration paperwork, dated January 18, 1969, this rifle was claimed by E-5 Gary L. Swanson of the Military Sea Transportation Service Office, Vietnam (MSTSOV) at the Commander, Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV) station in Saigon, South Vietnam. Interestingly, the paperwork also has a page listing a few characteristics of the M1936,” including an effective range of “500 meters” and a “15 rounds per minute” rate of fire. The date on the paperwork falls just a few months after the end of the Tet Offensive, during which the city of Saigon was a primary target for the North Vietnamese. While not explicitly documented, it may have been taken as a trophy from the Tet Offensive. Features a hooded blade front and peep rear sights, with standard receiver markings, and spike bayonet slotted into the forearm. The bolt, floorplate, trigger guard, and stock have matching serial numbers to the rifle. An included customs document, dated April 8, 1969, also lists a SKS rifle as another trophy taken by Gary L. Swanson, featured in the previous lot. CONDITION: Very good as a war trophy, with hints of the original parkerized finish visible in recessed areas, consistent patina across the receiver, and minor pitting on the front band and stock fittings. The varnished stock is also good, with signs of sanding, minor handling marks, and a loose forend. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 497
Historic Documented Vietnam War Trophy Chinese Type 53 Bolt Action Carbine with Bayonet and DD603 War Registration Papers - Serial no. C4682, 7.62x54 R cal., 20 1/2 inch round bbl., brown/grey finish, birch stock. The Chinese Type 53 carbine was effectively an exact copy of the Soviet M44 Mosin-Nagant carbine. As China adopted more advanced SKS and AK pattern rifles, the older Mosin-Nagant based long arms 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 February 20, 1971 dated DD603 registration documentation is made out for this item as a “SHICOM CARBINE TYPE 53 W/ BAYONET 7.63MM,” identifying it by serial number as a war trophy and personal property of Master Sergeant Donald Sheffer, originally of Phoenix, Arizona, attached to “AELS, HQ MACV APO” in the Republic of Vietnam. The carbine features a hooded pin front sight and notched tangent rear sight, with a triangle enclosed “26” factory mark and “1960” dated chamber. Fitted with a hinged side-folding bayonet and a straight wrist stock with a flat buttplate.
CONDITION: Fair, showing wear and tear consistent with other documented Vietnam War trophies. Most of the metal surface has turned a mixed brown and gray patina, with original blue visible on recessed areas, along with mild spotting and light handling marks. The wood is also fair, with discoloration, rounding of the toe, and mild scuffs. Action is loose in stock and rear sight spring is broken. Mechanically functions fine otherwise. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 498
Historic Vietnam Bring Back Soviet Izhevsk Model 1944 Mosin-Nagant Bolt Action Carbine with Folding Bayonet and Capture Papers - Serial no. K4997, 7.62x54 R cal., 20 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, birch stock. The Soviet M44 carbine, as well as the Chinese Type 53 that was patterned after it, were widely used by North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War. The chamber is dated “1946,” with the serial number transliterated to “TSK4997,” with matching numbers on the bolt, buttplate, and magazine floor plate. Fitted with a hooded post front sight and adjustable notched tangent rear sight, straight grip stock, and ill-fitting replacement folding spike bayonet. The included October 25, 1969, dated DD 603 document states that this carbine was the trophy of Floyd Riblett of the Headquarters Company, HQ Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, at the Quang Tri Combat Base, Republic of Vietnam. The capture paper also lists the carbine as “SOVIET 7,62mm Carbine M1944” and the serial number as “UK4997.” Includes a tan canvas carry sling. CONDITION: Fine as a Vietnam War trophy, with 50% of the blue finish retained with scattered moderate pitting, handling marks, extensive spotting, and wear expected from a battlefield pickup in a tropical climate. The front barrel band and band retainer spring are absent, along with the front quarter of the handguard and front right section of the forearm, possibly due to damage sustained at the time of capture. The stock also has some filled in dents. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750