FIELD GUIDE 5

IDENTIFYING MATERIEL MANUFACTURED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S

REPUBLIC OF KOREA (DPRK)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. RIFLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHERS AND OPTICAL SIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. SMALL-CALIBRE AMMUNITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

1. RIFLES

TYPE 58 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 1)

National mark of DPRK and serial number

(Automatic (13th Hangul

setting) consonant)

(Semi-auto
setting)

Fire selector marks Battle setting mark

— 7.62 × 39 mm - milled receiver with wooden furniture.

DESCRIPTION — Copy of the Soviet AK-47 (Type 3 receiver).
— Also produced with under-folding rear stock.

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 58 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 2)

(58 Type)

National mark of DPRK, model,

and serial number

(13th Hangul
련 (Automatic setting) consonant)

단 (Semi-auto setting)

Fire selector marks Battle setting mark

—7  .62 × 39 mm - milled receiver with wooden furniture

(rear stock is missing from the example shown).
DESCRIPTION — Copy of the Soviet AK-47 (Type 3 receiver).
— Note the presence of the model designation (58 Type) and the different style of fire
selector marks compared to Example 1.

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 68 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 1)

National mark of DPRK and model

(68 Year)

Last five
Last five digits of serial digits of serial
number Serial number number

련
(13th Hangul
(Automatic setting) consonant)

단 (Semi-auto setting)

Fire selector marks Battle setting mark

— 7.62 × 39 mm - stamped receiver with wooden furniture.

DESCRIPTION — Copy of the Soviet AKM (Type 4 receiver).
— Also produced with under-folding rear stock.

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 68 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 1 – CONTINUED)

Additional distinguishing features of the Type 68

TOP
The Type 68 retained a double-hook
trigger, more common on earlier
AK-pattern weapons
BOTTOM
The weapon also features a ribbed trigger
Flat section on both sides of gas block guard

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 68 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 2)

Serial number

S (Safety setting)
A (Automatic setting) ‫ت‬ (Arabic letter ‘ta’)

R (Semi-auto setting)

Fire
selector
marks Battle setting mark

— 7.62 × 39 mm – stamped receiver with plastic and wooden furniture and under-folding rear
stock.
— Copy of the Soviet AKMS (Type 4 receiver).
DESCRIPTION — The S / A / R fire selector marks and Arabic battle setting mark are possible indicators that
the weapon was produced for export to a specific country.
— The serial number is likely not original as indicated by signs of grinding on the forward
trunnion. This is possibly indicative of former service weapons being refurbished for export.

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 68 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 2 – CONTINUED)

Additional distinguishing features of the Type 68

LEFT
Two rivets are used to fix the
trigger guard to the receiver, as
opposed to single rivets found
on most AKM-pattern weapons
CENTRE
The Type 68 retained a double-
hook trigger, more common on
earlier AK-pattern weapons
RIGHT
The weapon also features a
ribbed trigger guard

Uniquely shaped lightening cut on rear of

Flat section on both sides of gas block front sight

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 68 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXAMPLE 3)

Serial number Symbol of the Établissement

Industriel de la Défense (EID) – Syria

‫رشا‬ (Automatic setting)

‫ت‬
‫دراكا‬
(Arabic letter ‘ta’)

(Semi-auto setting)

Fire selector
marks Battle setting mark

— 7.62 × 39 mm – stamped receiver with plastic and wooden furniture and under-folding rear
stock.
— Copy of the Soviet AKMS (Type 4 receiver).
— The weapon features a Syrian mark on the left of the receiver.
DESCRIPTION
— Note the Arabic fire selector and battle setting marks.
— This weapon exhibits the same distinguishing features of the Type 68 seen in Examples 1
and 2, including a flat sided gas block, double-hook trigger, ribbed trigger guard, and a
uniquely-shaped lightening cut on the rear of the front sight.

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 68 RIFLE, 7.62 × 39 MM (EXPORT MARKINGS)

Serial number only

(Automatic setting)

(Semi-auto setting)

Fire selector marks Battle setting mark

—7  .62 × 39 mm - stamped receiver with wooden furniture.

DESCRIPTION — Copy of the Soviet AKM (Type 4 receiver).
— Note the difference in fire selector and battle setting marks for the export market.

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1. RIFLES (CONTINUED)

TYPE 88-1 RIFLE, 5.45 × 39 MM (EXPORT MARKINGS)

Attachment lugs for

grenade launcher

Serial number only

Muzzle device
missing

(Automatic setting)

Shape of rear
stock is unique (Semi-auto setting)
to Type 88-1

Fire selector marks

—5  .45 × 39 mm - stamped receiver with wooden furniture.

— Copy of the Soviet AK-74, with a uniquely shaped side-folding stock that narrows at the
DESCRIPTION
hinge.
— Can be fitted with an under-barrel grenade launcher.

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2. ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHERS AND OPTICAL SIGHTS

NO. 7 ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHER, 40 MM

National mark of DPRK

68 년식7호발사관
68 Year Type No. 7 Launch Tube

문L808258
Serial number
Last four digits of serial number
are repeated on the barrel and
Trigger group plate rear sight

— 40 mm with wooden furniture.

DESCRIPTION — Copy of the Soviet RPG-7.

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2. ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHERS AND OPTICAL SIGHTS (CONTINUED)

OPTICAL SIGHT FOR NO. 7 ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE LAUNCHER

National mark of DPRK

7호발사관 (NO. 7 Launch Tube)

조준경 (Sight)

Reverse side

련결 (On setting)

차단 (Off setting)

Battery ON/OFF
switch

— Copy of Soviet PGO-7 optical sight for use on RPG-7-pattern rocket-propelled grenade
DESCRIPTION launchers.
— Features a battery-powered illuminated reticle.

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3. SMALL CALIBRE AMMUNITION

SAMJIYEON PRECISION MACHINE FACTORY NO. 95

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1983

95 Manufacturer

83 Year of manufacture (1983)

7.62 × 54 mm R manufactured in 1983

UNKNOWN FACTORY NO.93

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1982

93 Manufacturer

82 Year of manufacture (1982)

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3. SMALL CALIBRE AMMUNITION (CONTINUED)

UNKNOWN FACTORY NO.93 (CONTINUED)

7.62 × 39 mm (continued)

7.62 × 54 mm R

14.5 × 114 mm cartridges manufactured in 1982 contained in metal tin

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3. SMALL CALIBRE AMMUNITION (CONTINUED)

UNKNOWN FACTORY (TRIANGLE MARK)

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1962

▼ Manufacturer mark

ㄹ (4th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1962

▲ Manufacturer mark (may also point upwards)

ㄹ (4th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1962

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1963

ㅁ (5th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1963

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3. SMALL CALIBRE AMMUNITION (CONTINUED)

UNKNOWN FACTORY (TRIANGLE MARK – CONTINUED)

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1964

ㅂ (6th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1964

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1967

ㅈ (9th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1967

7.62 × 39 mm manufactured in 1969

ㅋ (11th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1969

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3. SMALL CALIBRE AMMUNITION (CONTINUED)

UNKNOWN FACTORY (TRIANGLE MARK – CONTINUED)

14.5 × 114 mm

ㅈ (9th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1967

ㅊ (10th Hangul consonant) indicates manufacture in 1968

70 Year of manufacture (1970)

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4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING

14.5 × 114 MM CARTRIDGES

NOTE: The crates are labelled ‘BEARING’, presumably to divert attention from their true contents.

Front and rear view of crates

: BEARING False description of contents 21/600 Crate number / total number of crates
: 25 / 20 Kg Gross / net weight 49 × 30 × 20 Dimensions of crate

PRO /142/KS/77 Libyan contract number

: TRIPOLI Location of consignee
: DMP JAMAHIRIYA STR (Consignee address) Code specific to Libyan
TRIPOLI Department of Military Procurement (DMP) procurement, as observed
Jamahiriya Street on materiel produced by
Tripoli other manufacturing states.

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4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING (CONTINUED)

14.5 × 114 MM CARTRIDGES (CONTINUED)

Contents of crate

93 Manufacturer

80 Year of manufacture (1980)

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4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING (CONTINUED)

40 MM F-7 ROCKETS

NOTE: The crates are labelled ‘PARTS OF ROCK-DRILL’, presumably to divert attention from their true contents.

Front view of crates

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4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING (CONTINUED)

40 MM F-7 ROCKETS (CONTINUED)

Contents of crate

2 Lot number
82 Year of manufacture
T Manufacturer

No 408 Crate number

National mark of DPRK

Top view of opened crate

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4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING (CONTINUED)

40 MM F-7 ROCKETS (CONTINUED)

Markings on grey rocket

F-7 Model designation

5 Lot number
82 Year of manufacture
Possible production
T Manufacturer process mark

Packaging for expelling charges

NBL-38 Propellant type

31 Lot number
82 Year of manufacture
T Manufacturer

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4. OTHER AMMUNITION WITH PACKAGING (CONTINUED)

40 MM F-7 ROCKETS (CONTINUED)

Rockets also observed in green

130 MM CASINGS (SEPARATE-LOADING ARTILLERY AMMUNITION)

NOTE: The crates are labelled ‘PARTS OF MACHINE TOOL’, presumably to divert attention from their true
contents.

Front view of crates

False description of contents

PORT OF: LATTAKIA SYRIA

CONSIGNEE: D.M. SYRIA
MARK OF CASE: 74

CONSIGNOR: O SULBI KOREA

GOODS: PARTS OF MACHINE TOOL
PACKAGE No 9517 / 30000
GROSS / NET WEIGHT 82 / 53

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CAR thanks Mr. L. Easton, SO2 Light Weapons, at the Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham.

This guide relies solely on the detailed photography employed by CAR and its partners. CAR does not use
online or social media images for its identification guides, since the necessary close-up detail is often not
available, and CAR cannot verify the provenance of the items. For this reason, the guide is limited to materiel
that CAR and its partners have encountered in collections and in the field. Several important DPRK weapon
systems prevalent around the world, including the Type 73 7.62 × 54 mm R machine gun and a range of
DPRK-produced handguns, are not included. CAR intends to add additional weapon systems to this guide
when they become available in CAR’s documentation dataset.

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