Underfolder history lesson needed...

[hawaii43]

I was wondering if this rifle is a polytech and if it is original....Markings are: AK47S 7.62X39MM Made in China.....Imported by FTC. It has a spike bayonete and underfolder stock and 45 degree compensator. Stamped receiver. It has a 3 digit serial number. No where else is there any markings,....(except serial number on the bolt and carrier). Any advise?
The rifle literally has no extra markings. The story I was told was that it was one of the early 80's shipments. Unlike any of the other Ak's I own...there is nothing else on it (not even on the barrel). Thats why I am wondering who was the maker. I had not even seen AK's with underfolding bayonet and stock until this rifle. SO who knows...


[This message has been edited by hawaii43 (edited 09-30-1999).]

[This message has been edited by hawaii43 (edited 10-14-1999).]

[56s]

Hello,
Does it have a stamped or milled receiver?
Sounds like you may have a Poly-Tech Legend if it has a milled receiver.

Take care, OUT in Vegas!

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56s-2

[56s]

Hello,
A milled receiver is made of one solid billet of steel and a stamped receiver is held together with rivets.

Hope that this helps!

OUT in Vegas!

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56s-2

[China Sports]

The rifle cannot be a PolyTech. Poly's were only imported by KFS (Keng's Firearms Specialty). If you see any arsenal markings (66 in triangle, 416 in triangle etc) please let me know and describe them.

~CS

[hawaii43]

sorry about the multiple posts here

[This message has been edited by hawaii43 (edited 10-14-1999).]

[NetJunkie]

I've heard of a couple of Chinese AKs with no manufacturer info on it. I believe they were found to be Norincos....

[China Sports]

About no extra markings, i would at least expect an arsenal marking. Try looking on the front trunion inside the gun for an arsenal marking. An example of a serial number might also help, but truly an arsenal marking would be nice.

[hawaii43]

I stripped the gun down, there is litterally nothing on the whole rifle other than what I said....I have it and a norinco 56s. The big difference is the wood (norinco appears orange/red.. and the underfolder has a light brown wood). There is the serial number by the trunion and then ak47/s underneath. The only other thing is a 7 on the upper (inside) lip of the trunion. The rifle serial number is 000XX

[This message has been edited by hawaii43 (edited 11-05-1999).]

[hawaii43]

Is it normal for these to have underfolding bayonets? I thought early models came with no mounts and then came in with knife bayonets and the latest (preban) models came with the spikes.... Is that an accurate history?

[hawaii43]

Did polytech and Norinco Merge after the ban? I keep hearing of rifles with the numbers 386 in a circle (or something like that....doesnt that mean polytech?) and Norinco understamp on the rifles.

[56s]

Hello,
Your link is dead.

Try posting it again.

Take care, OUT in Vegas!

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56s

[ndm86]

I also have a Unknown manufacture Chinese AK Imported by FTC. mine has a two digit serial number with underfolding bayo. after much research it was found to be a early Norinco manufacture. Every Poly-Tech i owned had a round spring loaded firing pin. Every Norinco i owned had a flat no-spring firing pin. I had a AK a while ago with a 386 in a circle with serial number on the receiver and Norinco stamped on the bottom of the trunion.

[This message has been edited by ndm86 (edited 10-15-1999).]

[hawaii43]

Is there any other parts that would differ between the 2 brands...

[China Sports]

Any weapon marked Norinco as well as 386 in the oval means it was manufactured at Arsenal 386, but marketed under the Norinco (Northern Industries Corporation) name. Poly Technologies and Norinco are actually the same company, both under control of a larger company called China Sports. PolyTech seems to have a little bit better workmanship, resulting in better accuracy, other then that, the rifles are very similar. If anyone has ANY technical questions regarding AKs and their operationg systems, disassembly, assembly etc. feel free to post.

[Tantal]

Thanks for posting that these are not brands, that own special factories exclusive to each. You are a breath of fresh air.

[Gary]

Thanks for the clarification on ownership of factories China Sports. I always suspected that it's all the military/govt. owned.

[hawaii43]

Are the parts (bolts) interchangeable between the makers?>

[STEEL CORE]

Check it out I got an underfolder in 1992, Norinco /66\ with a folding spike bayo, and Red Chinese plastic furniture. Serial Number starts with letters IMSO xxxxx. ANY BODY know what the heck IMSO stands for please e-mail me. bgforres@iupui.edu Thanx!

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"STEEL CORE" ! When you want to send the very best!