Bakelite AK mags (47 or 74 not sure)

[db2000]

Hey, trying to help a buddy out with a box of these Bakelite mags. Seems they are for his AK 47 or 74. Not sure what the numbers are, maybe the mold number. Also, country of origin. Any info appreciated.

 

[the monk]

They are mold numbers. May be an interesting read - https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog...ashnikov-magazine-part-2-synthetic-magazines/

 

[Jerry V]

They look like East German 5.45 mags. That is a mold number. If the mag had a Cyrillic prefix to mold number it may be of more value. Wanna sell let me know.

 

[ChidJ]

If you flip them over, there may be a factory mark. Russian bakelites will have a triangle with an arrow or a star. East German bakelites didn't have any factory symbols IIRC (but did have mold numbers). If you take a picture of them from above, I could tell you whether or not they are 5.45 or 7.62. The 7.62s are more dramatically curved. Also check the locking tabs. Pakistanis up in the mountains made facsimiles but made a lot of the locking tabs out of brass, oddly enough.

Regardless, anything bakelite is premium. A whole box is worth a good bit o coin

 

[db2000]

If you flip them over, there may be a factory mark. Russian bakelites will have a triangle with an arrow or a star. East German bakelites didn't have any factory symbols IIRC (but did have mold numbers). If you take a picture of them from above, I could tell you whether or not they are 5.45 or 7.62. The 7.62s are more dramatically curved. Also check the locking tabs. Pakistanis up in the mountains made facsimiles but made a lot of the locking tabs out of brass, oddly enough.

Regardless, anything bakelite is premium. A whole box is worth a good bit o coin

No markings

 

[db2000]

I appreciate the info and want to be clear I’m not trying to sell these outside the PX even though I’m a supporter.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

They are mold numbers. May be an interesting read - https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog...ashnikov-magazine-part-2-synthetic-magazines/

Really outstanding article.

Isn’t that plastic the same thing they made Trabant out of that ended up so toxic that they had to build a special plant to dismantle them?

The east German Trabbies turned out to be basically rolling super fund sites. Which is why there aren’t many left. And I wonder if that’s the same plastic. Not Bakelite but a really toxic Eastern European counterpart.

Cheers, Sirhr

 

[ChidJ]

I think I'm with @Jerry V I think they are EG 5.45 mags

 

[wade2big]

They are 5.45 mags Ak74

Your pictures suck though. You don’t even show the whole mag in one photo. I had to identify the mags by looking at the ones that happened to be in the background. Good grief. Lol

 

[db2000]

They are 5.45 mags Ak74

Your pictures suck though. You don’t even show the whole mag in one photo. I had to identify the mags by looking at the ones that happened to be in the background. Good grief. Lol

Relax. I’m sending what I’m given. Jebezzus
Appreciate the help though. I think we got the answer multiple times without the whole pic, but if you need it to get off

 

[db2000]

Here’s his 5.45, Polish tantal sporter?

 

[Jerry V]

The mags are worth more than the Tantal

 

[db2000]

The mags are worth more than the Tantal

For sure. He’s not trying to sell just looking for info. I appreciate all the expertise. He’s got about 100 other various types too. Colt etc left from his dad.

 

[ChidJ]

Those Tantals were an unfortunate batch. The Tantal itself is kinda special and cool but Century ruined most of the ones they put out by putting 5.56 barrels in them, from what I've read

 

[db2000]

These mags are going up in the PX soon fyi. He’s ready to sell.