What is it and whats it worth?

**volunteer** · 03-15-2012, 01:20 PM

My brother in law has an ak he bought a couple years back. I think he paid 400 for it. It has wooden furniture and I took a picture of the markings on it. Just curious, if someone on here might know some more about it and what it might be worth today.

I tried to post a pic but it wouldn't go through. It says the following:

akm / 47s
7.62 x 39
Norinco
Sile, NY
Made in China

Sorry for the lack of more info, pics but I'm sure someone in here will know exactly what it is. THANKS!!!!

**Richard Simmons** · 03-15-2012, 01:53 PM

Sounds like a an early import to me. Depending on condition it could be worth a good bit but pictures would be necessary to really give you an estimate. Per the site rules you have to have 50 posts before you can post photos. Least I think that's correct.

I found a listing for one last year that sounds similar that sold for $1000.

**imanaknut** · 03-15-2012, 03:35 PM

Welcome to the group !!!

Sorry for not answering sooner. I actually saw your message when it first went up, and as I started to answer, the phone rang and things spiraled down hill quickly.

Yes, you have an early Norinco imported about the time they first started trying to figure out how to name their weapons to sell them in the USA. At first they went with the news media convention of calling anything that looked like an Avtomat Kalashnikova an "AK-47" but they realized that the stamped model was actually known as an AKM, so they married the two and stamped them "AKM-47/S" with the "S" signifying the further modification to semi-automatic only.

Later, they decided to try the Chinese true name of their AK/AKM and stamped them originally "56" and finally "56S" before George Bush the First decided they were so evil looking that by looks alone they caused people to become criminals.

Richard pretty much nails the price, with ones in good condition selling for around $1000 up to new in box going for nearly $1300 these days.

It wasn't too long ago that they were selling for $600 new (after the final ban by clinton) but lately they have been skyrocketing in price because of the fixed number in this country, and all the new people getting into the hobby.

If you can post the photo on one of the net's free photo hosts, and provide a link I can insert the photo into your post for you.