Need help with ID

[wisecane]

Ok so I'm new to this forum and the world of AKs in general. I am looking at a under-folder from a collection. The previous owner is dead and the widow is not knowledgeable about rifles at all. Ok this is what I have:

There is a stamp on the upper that is the number 11 in a circle. Above and to the left of that is the letter M. To the right of the circled 11 is the following: 1979 CH29863. On the rear of the upper is the number 9863. I have not been able to find any other stampings or proof marks on the rifle. No caliber on the barrel, nothing. It is a 7.62. The wood on the forward part of the rifle is richly grained and heavy. The pistol grip is cheap looking and does not match the other wood at all. The stock folds under neatly.

The lower is much newer than the upper and stamped:

T15 Industries, LLC
Tampa, FL
Model: Zima
Cal: Multi
Ser No: 0027

I contacted this company and was told that only make about 100 lowers a year and never assemble complete rifles. I don't know anything about them, but the lower looked and felt "cheap". The safety works fine and the trigger works fine as well. The rifle shoots (I haven't taken it to the range to test it yet but I will maybe today).

My question is what can anyone tell me about this rifle, and where else should I be looking for ID marks?

Is it a piece of junk or worth buying?

I will try to get a pic up ASAP.

Thanks,
wisecane

[Schuetzenman]

I do not nor am I able to find much on a T-15 receiver from florida that is an AKM type.

The 11 in a circle, probably and oval, is the Polish Aresnal marking. An original Polish receiver would be about 1 mm thick sheet metal riveted to the front and rear trunions. The front trunion supports the barrel and gives the locking lug recesses for the bolt. The rear trunion is the mounting point for either a fixed or folding stock.

A photo would be good if you can get one posted. I would suggest a test firing before buying to make sure it cycles. AKM receivers are very light weight and not beefy like you would think of a rifle receiver. They are stamped out of sheet metal, spot welding of the rails inside that the bolt carrier group travels on. There is a center support riveted in to give them some side to side strength. It is just behind the magazine well opening.

I have built 2 Polish under folder AK rifles. I will put up a photo or two to show you what would be considered typicl for such a weapon.

http://www.gunsnet.net/photopost/data/500/Polish_folder_full_length_in_grass.jpg

http://www.gunsnet.net/photopost/data/500/Close_up_of_Polish_Under_Folder_action.jpg

Under folders built on a US receiver like this one vary in price from the $600 to $800 price range retail. I'm sure you're looking for a bargain, so what is she asking / have you offered?

[wisecane]

Here are pics

<a href="http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/wisecane/ak/?action=view&amp;current=IMG-20110803-00015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n61/wisecane/ak/IMG-20110803-00015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[wisecane]

She wants $800.00, the rifle is very tight with no rattles/loose parts. I will be firing tomorrow rain permitting. The barrel is very shiny inside with clean rifling. I wish I knew how to tell if it is chromed. Sorry about the photo links. i am new to this site and not sure how to link the pics to make them show up like yours.

[imanaknut]

Welcome to the group !!! :welcome:

$800 is a bit too much for a rifle from an unknown builder.

Check Atlantic Firearms for an idea on several underfolders made with Polish parts. All are well below $800 and come with a warranty.

To install a photo in your post, highlight the web address of the photo, right click and then copy, or right click on the photo and "copy image URL". Come back to your listing, and in the post, you will notice a box along the top that looks like a tree with yellow grass. Click on it and then right click and paste the address in the window that pops up. Click ok and the photo will show in your post.

[Schuetzenman]

I agree with Ima. $800 is too much for an unknown maker / make of receiver. Atlantic firearms has two at least for sale, Polish underfolder AK rifles.

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/data/default/images/catalog/large/RJPOLISH.jpg
Here is one by Red Jacket, the builder featured in the TV show "Sons of Guns" on TLC / Discovery channel. It is $749 and you know they will stand behind the weapon. The other Polish folder model is made by IAC and is only $629 with a lifetime warranty. The one the widow has may be as fine an AK build as it gets but, nobody's heard of the maker. Nobody knows if it has any warranty on it. $800 is just a bucket load too much money. $500 is the most I think you should pop for it. If she won't go for that, go to Atlantic and get a new weapon with a warranty for less.