| Accession Number | REL/02345 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Maker |
State Arsenal, Factory 66 |
| Place made | China: People's Republic of China |
| Date made | c 1960 |
| Conflict |
Vietnam, 1962-1975 |
Chicom Type 56 Assault Rifle
Description
Type 56 Assault Rifle. Pressed metal construction with a wooden butt, plain pistol grip and two piece fore end. The left side of the receiver is marked with 66 in a triangle, three Chinese characters (Type 56) and the serial number. The steel butt plate is fitted with a spring loaded trap door and contains a small steel tube for cleaning equipment. It has a folding cruciform bayonet and 30 round detachable magazine. It is missing the cleaning rod. A brass plate is fitted to the right side of the butt and is engraved 'Presented by Lt.Col NGUYEN-MAU Chief VN Special Police to His Excellency R.L.Harry Ambassador of Australia to Viet-Nam Saigon'. The weapon has been refurbished with the steel parts reblued and the woodwork painted brown.
History / Summary
This weapon was a presentation to the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, His Excellency Ralph Lindsay Harris 1968-70.