It's a 1980 exported instance.

The marking on the right, someone pointed out the way "18" wrote had two versions. This is one with digit 8 written in this more curved form. Another version has digit 8 written in more square form. Say, this curved form is sure being new export. Another square form of digit 8, also could be new export (but not always). Combined with above mentioned 4 checkpoints, it's easy to tell difference between old one and new one. For example, the grip screw head is on the left side, just like Mauser, that's a sign of new export. And, this condition... even Chinese Field Mashall's pistol is not in this condition.

But it's like Mauser 29/70, it's still a collectible. IMO. Many sellers asking $5000, $6000 on them, but its appearance rate on the market is too high to support that price level.

Regarding parts -- one possibility -- the frame with curved "8" (the 4th character from the right), was new frame. The frame with squared "8", was old frame left over from old days.

Typical pistol with Chinese provenance looks like following: either not much blue (Schnell), or lost fragile parts (Royal), or has replaced grip panels (Schnell and Shansei). Not always, but very typical. The 2nd one in disassembled form is really a top condition one, rare.

Thanks John (paladinpainter) and Alvin, John if you manage to find that article about "differences in the Chinese stampings" can you post it?.
Then I noticed that the so called 1980 copies are not milled all over, and their extractors often look as new as a Swiss Luger one.

Sergio

I'm bidding on one so we'll see which one I get. I'm not too fussed really, it's going to be more of an oddball collectible but maybe that will add to the discussion with more data points (with thanks to previous contributors, wow!).