A rare example of a North Korean manufactured copy of the Russian SKS-45, as originally introduced in 1963. Reportedly, a limited amount of these were exported for use by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War, and surviving examples are very seldom seen on the American collector market today when compared with any other SKS variants. No import marks are visible on this example, indicating it was likely a Vietnam War bringback. Features a hooded front post and elevation adjustable notched tangent rear sight, integral 10-round box magazine, and fitted with a reproduction folding blade bayonet. Matching serial numbers marked on magazine floor plate, trigger guard, top cover, bolt, and left of the buttstock. The top cover is marked with circled "star" above the model type 63. Fitted with a birch handguard and laminate finger groove stock with smooth buttplate. Includes a Chinese pattern green web sling and grenade launching spigot marked with a "1" inside a star. This grenade spigot shares a strong visual similarity with the M8 grenade launching spigot as used on the U.S. M1 Carbines. This North Korean Type 63 SKS example differs from Lot 3378 in that it features a special valve with a lever on the gas block intended to prevent gas flow when used with the grenade launcher. The left of the receiver has two drilled and tapped holes, likely where a grenade launching sight once resided. North Korean Type 63 SKS rifles are rare in any form on the collector market today, and we have two examples with slight differences offered in this same auction!

Fine, retains 70% arsenal refinished blue finish with some areas faded to a smooth brown and a few patches of light surface corrosion/pitting as typical of a gun exposed to jungle warfare. Two drilled and tapped holes on the left of the receiver, and reproduction blade bayonet as mentioned above. The stock is also fine as arsenal refinished, with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.