Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
http://browningmgs.com/T2T3/Kalashnikov.htm
The Type 1
(1947 - 1949)
Oil Bottle
identification site.
The Type 1 went into production in 1947. The T1 receiver had most of the elements seen in modern variants. It
had a milled trunnion and butt stock insert, and a stamped body. Unfortunately the technology of the day could
not produce a consistent product and a new, more robust milled receiver was designed.
The Type 2
(1949 - 1953-54
The T2 with its newly designed milled receiver went into production in 1949, parallel to the existing T1, still in production. Not
wanting to waste parts, it is standard practice for Russian made AK47s to contain parts from both models as it transitioned to
a new design. Note the distinctive socketed "boot" connecting the stock to the receiver. Shown above is a Russian
mid-production full stock weapon dated 1951.
The Type 3
(1953-54 - 1959)
Further refinements led to the T3, which went into production sometime in 1953 or 1954 and remained in production
until about 1959. The weapon shown above is Russian.
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http://browningmgs.com/T2T3/Kalashnikov.htm
At right, a T3 underfold.
1. The rear sling swivel moved from the bottom to the left
side.
2. The T2 buttstock fits in a tanged socket, or boot, which is
attached to the rear of the rear of the receiver via a sliding
dovetail joint. On the T3 receiver the tangs are attached
directly to the receiver.
3. The one piece buttstock and pistol grip were prone to
cracking so the T3 furniture was made from laminated Birch
plywood. Shown on the T2 is an early checkered grip.
4. The T2 fire selector has one thumb tab and the T3 has two.
5. The T2 top cover is made from a heavier stock than later
models, whereas the T3 is lighter and has a noticeable
stamped bottom edge, presumably to strengthen it.
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The curved front ramp on the gas block is flat on the T2 and curved outward on the T3.
The crimps on the T2 gas tube are oriented with a valley at the 12 O'clock position.
On the T3 a peak is located at the 12 O'clock position.
Information and photos courtesy of Fareed Dhanoya
A full view of the top covers. The yellow arrow indicates the stamped and
hardened edge on the T3 and later top covers, which have a small bulge at
the front (red arrow). Aas mentioned before, this is to make up for the
thinner material and insure a snug fit in the top cover groove of the
trunnion.
Top: Bolt carrier with the fluted gas piston of the T1 & T2.
Bottom: The thinner, solid gas piston of the T3 and later.
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Type 3: The receiver is milled from a single piece of forged steel. The
boot has been eliminated in favor of tangs connected directly to the
receiver The trunnion is threaded for the barrel. The safety now has
two thumb tabs. The safety detents are lozenge shaped. The milled
lightening cut on the sides is slanted.
AKM: Stamped receiver body with milled trunnion and rear insert.
The trunnion is smooth to accept a press-fit barrel. The safety is
redesigned and retains the two thumb tabs. The safety detents are long,
thin ovals. Large oval detents in front of the safety stabalize the
magazine.
Above: Polish version of the AKM, the PMKM. This one was manufactured in 1986 at the Zaklady Metalowe (Metal Works
Lucznic) at Radom, Poland.
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http://browningmgs.com/T2T3/Kalashnikov.htm
Above: Chinese Type 56S underfold. Made by Norinco Corporation (North China Industries), it was imported in the mid
1980s by Sile, New York. This is an AKM era weapon, but has milled steel sight and gas blocks, an unribbed and heavier top
cover, and underfold legs of heavier stock without the stamped reenforcing ribs. The wood furniture is not laminated, and
the lower forestock does not have bulges on the sides.
Hungarian AMMS
Hungarian AMD65
The AK74
The AK74 was introduced in 1974 in response to the United States having
adopted the M193 NATO 5.56mm ball cartridge a decade earlier. The AK74
fired the lighter 5.54x39 cartridge, about half the weight of the AK47's 7.62x39
round. It was not until the Soviet-Afganistan War (1978-1988) that the West
first got a look at the AK74. The weapon has now been adopted by over two
dozen countries.
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Resources
AK47 The Grim Reaper by Frank Iannamico, 868 pages with over 1300 photographs, published
by Moose Lake Publishing. Available from the author at his Web site. This book covers some
AK47 history, but as this history has been covered in detail in Edward Ezell's book, as well as
others, Frank Iannamico has devoted the bulk of his book to the numerous AK variants which
have been introduced into the American market over the years. AK47-The Grim Reaper covers
AK47 and AK74 models, and accessories including magazines, optical sights, grenade launchers,
bayonets, ammunition, and gun maintenance equipment.
Kalashnikov, the Arms and the Man by Dr. Edward Clinton Ezell, 283 pages, published by
Collector Grade Publications. Click on the book cover at right to go to their Web site, or HERE
to go directly to the page the book is on.
All weapons on this site, with the exception of the Type 1, are from my own collection.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to Contact Me.
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