Chinese Type 53 carbine, serial T53025805, built in 1955 and chambered in 7.62x54R with a 20.5-inch round barrel. The Type 53 was China's licensed version of the Soviet M44 Mosin-Nagant carbine, a standard Chinese infantry arm of the 1950s that went on to see wide Cold War use across Asia. On this example the serial numbers do not match. The finish has thinned from age and service, the receiver markings remain sharp, and the stock carries the dents of military handling. The bore is bright with well-defined rifling, and the action cycles smoothly and works as it should.

New Mexico allows any centerfire rifle of .22 caliber or larger for big game as long as the bullets expand, so this 7.62x54R carbine can legally go on a deer or elk rifle hunt, most of which run October through December under the hunt code you drew. Surplus full metal jacket ammunition is not permitted for that use. Most buyers will value it first as an honest, service-worn collector carbine.

Key features

• 7.62x54R, 20.5-inch round barrel
• Made 1955, licensed copy of Soviet M44
• Non-matching serial numbers
• Bright bore, strong rifling
• Smooth, mechanically sound action

The carbine ships to a licensed New Mexico dealer, who runs the NICS check and holds it through the seven-day state wait before you collect it.