- Polish ak 47 bayonet serial numbers serial numbers#
- Polish ak 47 bayonet serial numbers serial number#
- Polish ak 47 bayonet serial numbers code#
IZHMASH Parkerizing has lightened in color over the years. In this detail of the left side of the receiver we can see the lightly colored parkerized fire control group pins. One of the few parts that was not changed every few years. This gas block was introduced in about 1977 and features a 90-degree gas port, and is still in production. These bevels are more pronounced on IZHMASH produced parts then found on Bulgarian Arsenal produced examples. Also shown is the heavy bevel on the front of the grenade launcher lug, the same as found on the front of the bayonet lug on the front sight base. The close up of the left side clearly shows the round mold mark mentioned earlier in the text in reference to Fig 3. It has elevation graduations that extend all the way across. Here is the rear sight leaf, and a clue as to when the current production rear sight leaf was introduced. Note that the cleaning rod lacks the beveled end found on current production cleaning rods. IZHMASH front sight bases are typically marked with a number a dash and another number on the right side, this one 7-3. Since 1978 all observed IZHMASH front sight bases and gas blocks have this mold mark on the left side, which is in contrast to other manufacturers of the AK74 series. Clearly seen in this photo on the left side directly in front of the rivet that retains the muzzle brake detent is a round mold mark. While the “punch pressed” method is now predominate, IZHMASH still utilizes cross pins on a limited bases. This attachment procedure for the front sight base, gas block, and rear sight base was adopted in about 1985 and continues to this day. Note the method of attachment of this base, no cross pins, it is “punch pressed” on. The front sight base is the same type as used since about 1978 until the current brake/front sight base was brought into production in about 1989. This particular brake was dropped from production in about 1989 when it was replaced with the current production type with a longer thread collar. Most probably 1986 was the first year for this brake, in that plum rifles have been observed with the earlier brake. Unlike the earlier brake this one has a gradual tapered collar thread collar. This brake is quite similar to the earlier brake as shown on the exhibit pages detailing the 1984 and 83 IZHMASH AK/S74 rifles. In this detail of the front sight base and muzzle brake we can see that the brake is the two-piece weld together type.
Polish ak 47 bayonet serial numbers serial number#
Note the last three of the serial number on the top cover.
Polish ak 47 bayonet serial numbers code#
The year date code changed from four digits two in 1980. This is in contrast to the AKM and the AK47 which used a Cyrillic prefix, and numbers that started over at different intervals.
Polish ak 47 bayonet serial numbers serial numbers#
Comparison of serial numbers has revealed that the AKS74 and the AK74 had separate serial number ranges and that their serial numbers run consecutively over the years. There are no known examples of a Tula manufactured AK/S74. The object stuffed in the skeleton butt stock is a field dressing.įront trunnion is marked with arsenal code, year of manufacture, and serial number. During this time frame IZHMASH rifles had polyamide furniture with plum or maroon coloration, rather then the earlier laminated wood furniture. It is assumed that 1985 production is the same as 1986, save the use of an earlier brake. At the time that I write this a 1985 example has yet to be examined and reported by a 74 small arms enthusiasts. This is the first 1986 example I have gotten the chance to study detailed photographs of. From what can be observed without breaking the rifle down this particular example is all matching and factory original. This is a 1986 AKS74 manufactured by IZHMASH in Izhevsk Russia.