On the Model 1944 and the Type 53, the hole allows light to reach the front post. This hole was retained on later Soviet rifles and allowed for the use of an AK-47 tool to adjust the elevation of the front sight. Just pulling the bayonet slightly unlocks it and allows it to be folded into position.Īnother interesting aspect of the Model 1944 is the hole in the top of the sight’s hood. Hinged so that it could be unfolded and locked into position, this bayonet offered an excellent compromise that allowed overall length of the carbine to be kept down while still having a bayonet instantly available. They are very similar except that the Model 1944 incorporates a folding bayonet. The Soviet Model 1944 Carbine, upon which the Type 53 is based, was itself based on the earlier Mosin-Nagant Model 1938 Carbine. Whether these were removed in an attempt to hide the origin of rifles for guerrilla groups or for another reason is not known. Captured rifles from Vietnam are known that were produced in 1961, but it is possible that some rifles were produced after that year. Initially, Type 53 rifles were marked in Chinese characters that indicated its designation as “53 Year Type” and production at the “State Factory at Chongqing,” but later rifles lack these markings. The years 1960 or 1961 are sometimes cited as the last years during which Type 53s were produced. There is also some discussion among collectors and arms historians about when production ceased.
For example, I have never seen a figure for how many were produced. Hazy HistoryĪs is often the case with Chinese-produced weapons, there are some questions about the Type 53.
Production of the Type 53, along with the production of weapons with tooling captured from the Nationalist Chinese, was the beginning of today’s powerful Chinese arms industry. Reportedly, Soviet machinery was sent to China to build the Type 53. Type 53s have turned up in the hands of other insurgents as well, especially in Africa and Latin America.īecause of the “human wave” tactics used by the Chinese in Korea, which were part of their infantry doctrine, the integral cruciform bayonet of the M1944 was considered a great advantage for the Type 53. It was in the hands of Chinese surrogates, especially the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) or Viet Cong, that the Type 53 saw most of its combat. Top 5 Submachine Guns Used by China’s Military and Policeįor the next 20 years, the Type 53 was used to arm the Chinese People’s Militia.
0 kommentar(er)
