Kalashnikov-pattern weapons: Identifying Marks

Identifying Marks Distinguishing features

Kalashnikov-pattern weapons
FIRE SELECTOR MARKS REAR SIGHT MARK CHARACTERS

Full

The large number of very similar Kalashnikov-pattern models often makes them Semi Sight mark character
difficult to identify. This Weapons ID Sheet provides information on fire selector
Model illustrated: Misr, Egypt Model illustrated: AKM, Russia
marks, proof marks, and rear sight marks, which, combined, are a useful means to
identify the manufacturers of Kalashnikov-pattern weapons. The fire selector is a lever that enables the user Kalashnikov-pattern weapons feature a tan-
to switch between safe (up), fully automatic gent rear sight, which is marked with various
(centre), and semi-automatic (down) modes of distance graduations. The zero mark (at the
operation. base and closest to the sight notch) usually
Rear Sight features a character, which differs according to
Fully Semi Origin manufacturer / country of manufacture.

Albania Sight Mark Origin

Albania Albania
Proof Marks
Bulgaria Bulgaria

China China
Model illustrated: Type 56-2, China
China Germany (GDR)

Egypt Hungary
Fire Selector marks
Germany (GDR) North Korea

Hungary Poland

Iraq Romania

North Korea Russia

Poland Yugoslavia
Model illustrated: Type 56, Albania

Poland

Romania

Romania
Compiled by the Small Arms Survey with the technical assistance of the National Firearms Centre, Royal Armouries, United Kingdom. For further
information or if you have identification queries, contact [email protected] or call: +41 22 908 5777. This identification sheet may be Russia
downloaded in printable PDF format at www.smallarmssurvey.org/weaponsID
WARNING:
Make a full and informed appraisal of the local security situation before conducting any research related to small arms and light weapons. Yugoslavia
Kalashnikov-pattern weapons: Identifying Marks

Distinguishing features (continued)

PROOF MARKS

Proof Mark Proof marks are numerals or symbols that

designate the weapon’s manufacturer/
country of manufacture.

Model illustrated: Misr, Egypt

Proof Mark Origin Proof Mark Origin

North Korea
Bulgaria
Czechoslovakia/ North Korea
Czech Republic North Korea
(proof; date) (Type 58)
China (Type 56) North Korea
(Type 68)
China (Type 56) Poland
China (Type 56-1) Romania
(Cugir factory)
China (Type 56-2) Russia
Egypt (date:1972; (Izhevsk factory)
proof mark; serial Russia
number) (Izhevsk factory)
Germany (GDR) Russia
(Molot factory)
Germany (GDR)
Russia (Tula factory)
Germany (GDR) Yugoslavia/Serbia
(Zastava factory)
Germany (GDR)
Yugoslavia/Serbia
Germany (GDR) (Zastava factory)
Yugoslavia / Serbia
Iraq (M70 B2 model)
Iraq (calibre; model:
Tabuk; proof mark)
Iraq