Lot 139

Vietnam War Trophy Chinese Type 53 Carbine with Papers

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Vietnam War Trophy Chinese Type 53 Carbine with Papers

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,750

Starting Bid: $2,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Vietnam War Chinese Type 53 Bolt Action Carbine with War Trophy Registration to Sergeant Carl L. Deleach of the 8th Air Cavalry The Chinese Type 53 carbine was directly patterned after the Soviet M44 carbine, including the signature side-folding "pigsticker" bayonet. The march of military technology saw the Type 53 sidelined by the adoption of Chinese-made iterations of the SKS carbine and AK-47 assault rifle. The Type 53 was then relegated to second-line service or export, and a number of them are known to have made it to North Vietnam for use by both regular and irregular forces. An included war trophy registration form dated January 11, 1973, identifies this carbine by serial number as the property of Sergeant Carl L. Deleach of F Troop, 8th Air Cavalry. Deleach is listed as active in the Republic of Vietnam from March 3, 1972, through March 3, 1973. During this period F Troop (aka the Blue Ghosts) operated primarily out of Marble Mountain, Danang, and Bien Hoa, and they rotated back to the States in February of 1973. This carbine is dated 1960 and features a hooded post front sight and tangent rear sight, the "26 in triangle" factory mark and serial number on the receiver ring, and matching serial numbers on the bolt, floorplate, and the left side of the buttstock. The carbine is accompanied by a bayonet and a tan canvas sling.

Manufacturer: Chinese

Model: Type 53

BBL: 20 inch round

Stock: hardwood

Gauge: 7.62x54 R

Finish: blue

Serial NumberE2092

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Provenance: Sergeant Carl L. Deleach; A Private Collection
  • Condition: Fine with 50% of the original blue finish, areas of brown and gray patina, scattered mild spotting, some light handling marks, and an uneven coating of protective varnish on some components. The stock is good with rounding of the buttstock toe, scuffs, and varnish loss. Mechanically excellent.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000