A relic of the Vietnam War. A grenade-launching North Vietnamese modified Chinese Type 53 carbine.. the AT-44

The base rifle is a Chinese Type 53 made in 1955 at Factory 26. Many of these rifles made their way into Vietnam from China, though these are most often encountered as 1960 dated rifles. However, known AT-44 modifications are usually found to be made on both earlier Soviet and Chinese models. The "conversion" was simple. Simply adding captured or cloned M15 grenade launching sights and M7 launchers. Done. That's it. The Vietnamese also used captured and cloned US rifle grenades.

Many, if not most of these documented AT-44s feature laminate stocks with the added cross bolt in the wrist. This one has neither, but the period photo provided, albeit a bit grainy, shows what appears to be a standard hardwood stock with no cross bolt. It's possible these all started with their original stocks and were later supplied with stronger stocks after it became apparent the unsupported hardwood wasn't cutting it.

While this particular modification really wouldn't be difficult to recreate, its lack of import markings, possible duffle cut stock and the fact that I picked it up for less than your typical Type 53, all points to legitimacy in my book. Regardless, the sight is a standard US M15 I picked up separately and this is one that can't really ever be proven with 100% certainty.