question about aks-74

**Tundra** · 06-05-2012, 03:42 PM

Hello everyone
I do have an aks-74 bulgarian with double circle 10 but I'm confused because the right side of the receiver there is the Russian select fire alphabets AB OA and I will attach photos I don't know is it a Bulgarian or a Russian please help me identify this firearm

Photo recevier side

Photo show circle 10 sign

**Dr. Gonzo GED** · 06-05-2012, 04:11 PM

Now this is just a guess, but they do use the Cyrillic alphabet in Bulgaria so the I'm thinking the lettering will be the same on a Russian or Bulgarian AKM. This is probably true for most of the ex-soviet states which produced them.

In fact, Cyrillic was even invented in Bulgaria according to wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrillic_script

Circle ten is definitely "Arsenal of Bulgaria". With the origins of Cyrillic coming from the Bulgarian empire, it's more of a case of Russian weapons having Bulgarian lettering on them. In fact, Russian everything has Bulgarian lettering on it.

But Cyrillic on your circle ten does not make it a Russian gun. Actually a lack of cyrillic would make it's Bulgy status questionable.

That help?

**imanaknut** · 06-05-2012, 04:37 PM

Welcome to the group !!!

As Dr. Gonzo said, you have a true Bulgarian AKM. The marking you show are correct.

I want to add that I am jealous that living here in the United States, the land of "shall not be infringed", a right given by our constitution, I could not buy that great rifle that you show. As you in, I believe South Africa have gained rights, we in the USA have lost some.

Best of luck, and congratulations on having such a nice rifle.

**Tundra** · 06-05-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dr. Gonzo GED

Now this is just a guess, but they do use the Cyrillic alphabet in Bulgaria so the I'm thinking the lettering will be the same on a Russian or Bulgarian AKM. This is probably true for most of the ex-soviet states which produced them.

In fact, Cyrillic was even invented in Bulgaria according to wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrillic_script

Circle ten is definitely "Arsenal of Bulgaria". With the origins of Cyrillic coming from the Bulgarian empire, it's more of a case of Russian weapons having Bulgarian lettering on them. In fact, Russian everything has Bulgarian lettering on it.

But Cyrillic on your circle ten does not make it a Russian gun. Actually a lack of cyrillic would make it's Bulgy status questionable.

That help?

Thanks Dr. Gonzo GED
i still did not understand cause the Bulgarian AK's comes AB,EA and mine is (AB,OA)but i so many Bulgarian AK's comes with the Russian letters AB,OA and i so some polish under folder ak-47's comes with the Bulgy letters (AB,EA) instead of (C,P) and i so many krinkov's stamped with Izmash's sign and the letters are Bulgarian (AB,EA) what i want to know mine is a Bulgy or Russian ? and why did it come with a circle 10 and Russian letters does this mean that it refers to Soviet union

**Tundra** · 06-05-2012, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by imanaknut

Welcome to the group !!!

As Dr. Gonzo said, you have a true Bulgarian AKM. The marking you show are correct.

I want to add that I am jealous that living here in the United States, the land of "shall not be infringed", a right given by our constitution, I could not buy that great rifle that you show. As you in, I believe South Africa have gained rights, we in the USA have lost some.

Best of luck, and congratulations on having such a nice rifle.

Thanks Sir,
Here in our country we could get license for any wepon but there are two Terms it must not be a .50 cal or mede in israel , prices here very very very high i bought this rifle for 4500 dollars with no ammo and we get the 1080 round can for 5000 dollars !!!! and you can buy it in the States for only 200 dollars in our a bad condition 1959 polish under folder wo get it by 1500 dollars , so if i was in the States i will thank God for the good prices you have .

**imanaknut** · 06-05-2012, 06:11 PM

While our ammo prices are much less, the cheapest I have seen an AKM that our government would allow us to own was $12,000 US. Add to that the federal $200 US tax and required paperwork.

Here in the USA we can easily buy AK/AKMs at very good prices, but they are semi-automatic only. We are not allowed to buy any fully automatic, or select fire weapons that were not registered by May of 1986. Anything built or imported after that date is illegal for a common citizen to own.

Thanks for sharing the price of 1080 round ammo can. We have been complaining about how our prices have doubled in the last few year, but after seeing what you have to pay, I am not going to complain anymore!

Anyway, it is great to have you posting on this site. We try to be a world wide organization, and it is always nice to here from fellow firearm owners in other countries.

**Tundra** · 06-05-2012, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by imanaknut

While our ammo prices are much less, the cheapest I have seen an AKM that our government would allow us to own was $12,000 US. Add to that the federal $200 US tax and required paperwork.

Here in the USA we can easily buy AK/AKMs at very good prices, but they are semi-automatic only. We are not allowed to buy any fully automatic, or select fire weapons that were not registered by May of 1986. Anything built or imported after that date is illegal for a common citizen to own.

Thanks for sharing the price of 1080 round ammo can. We have been complaining about how our prices have doubled in the last few year, but after seeing what you have to pay, I am not going to complain anymore!

Anyway, it is great to have you posting on this site. We try to be a world wide organization, and it is always nice to here from fellow firearm owners in other countries.

Thanks again
I own many fully automatic rifles most of them are AK's iam looking forward to buy an M16 fully automatic or burst .
I'm Still waiting for more replys for the AKS-74