This Chinese Type-53 is a prototype manufactured at state arsenal 296 also know as “Factory 26”. This rifles serial numbers are all matching except the bolt, however all prototype rifle serial numbers begin with the letter A prefix. Despite the bolt not matching it is still a 1953 production bolt. The sling is dated 1970. This rifle was a very early 1980s import directly from the PRC. The bore is perfect. I believe that China deliberately kept the majority of its prototype 1953 production rifles in its inventory and never gave any as aid to foreign nations as I have yet to see one either brought back from Vietnam or imported from Albania.