Are all Chinese Jianshe Arsenal (aka, Aresenal 26) marked SKS rifles with serial numbers less than 13,014,726 considered as “Curios or Relic” firearms?
FTISB traditionally determines a firearms “Curio or Relic” status by the review of 27 CFR § 478.11 definitions and the firearm being examined to meet the defined parameters within this regulation. Any firearm, in its original configuration, manufactured at least 50 years prior to the current date, qualifies as a “C&R” firearm.
Research conducted by FTISB personnel on the provided serial number of 13,014,726, determined that the serial number is consistent with being manufactured in or around 1969. This date of manufacture would be more than 50 years prior to the current date, qualifying the firearm as a “C&R” provided it remains in its original configuration.
According to ATF the "Kehaya and Poyer method" can be used to date Chinese Arsenal 26 SKSs. They used it on the rifle I asked about. For example: 56 + 13 = 69. Note that this applies ONLY to Arsenal 26 rifles.
They go on to mention that the firearm must be in the "original configuration". Back in the day they used to say the firearm was C&R as long as it wasn't "significantly modified". Thus ATFs position has changed slightly.
My guess is that a paratrooper model would not be considered in the "original configuration" by ATF. I would also guess they would say a paratrooper model was "significantly modified".
Larry
