Identify this mag What is it?

[my762buzz]

About 6 years ago I was checking out Joeken's website when I saw unissued polish mags $9 a piece. I didn't really know about the aweful reputation Joeken had already established for itself. I called in an order for 10 of these polish mags. 3 weeks later nothing and I then called to ask wheres my mags.
I was told they were on back order, even though I wasn't originally told that when I ordered. I went ahead and cancelled my order. Well, a month later I get 10 mags show up UPS. I checked my credit card and found out I was billed for these mags, even though I already ordered 20 from some other place. I called to ask why they billed me and shipped a canceled order and
Joe or Ken (can't remember which) said it must have been a computer error.
I opened the box and saw 10 nicely wrapped mags and continued to think
these were polish mags because that is what was advertised. The other day I took a good long look at one of them and oddly I have never seen one like it. I no longer think its a polish mag but am not sure what country it came from. If anyone recognizes the markings it let me know? There is also an M and a triangle on the rib.


http://i46.tinypic.com/2hxlr8l.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/24n1i7c.jpg

[GIockGuy24]

Circle in a diamond is Suhl factory in Germany. An M can be Molot in Russia.

[my762buzz]

Circle in a diamond is Suhl factory in Germany. An M can be Molot in Russia.


what about the triangle on the rib/spine?

[CarlosC]

Based on the markings and via process of elimination, I'd say Russian. Here is my train of thought...

1. Polish would be circle 11
2. Hungarian would be C2 or 2 or 20 or some variation
3. Not Chinese
4. Not Yugo
5. Not Croat
6. Machining and markings not consistent with Romanian
7. Not Finnish
8. Not Bulgarian
9. Not Korean

So it came down to East German or Russian. The termination point on the indented groove before the spine terminates at a 90 degree angle on Russian, and straight under the sideplates (for the feed lips) on German.
East German
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/Magazines/EastGerman6.jpg
Russian
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/Magazines/RussiansteelAK-473.jpg
In the top picture, notice how the machining on the sideplates on the German mags is generally very good with few if any marks at all and the spot welding is very nicely done. The Russian sideplates tend to show the grinder marks and the spot welds are much more obvious. Also look at the ribbing along the bottom...the German ribbing is much more defined and crisp than the Russian.

Finally, I have pictures of another Russian mag with very similar stamps...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v440/CarlosC/Guns/Rifles/Magazines/RussianAluminum2c.jpg

To the OP...if you don't mind, would you be able to send me the individual pics for my database?? And I'd like to add them to me sticky on magazine identification.

[Novocaine]

I agree with Carlos. These are Russian mags. Dead giveaway- weld spots on feedlips.

[my762buzz]

To the OP...if you don't mind, would you be able to send me the individual pics for my database?? And I'd like to add them to me sticky on magazine identification.

Definitely. Already sent.

[El_Ron1]

I miss all the old Joeken stories. :cool:

[G23c]

nice detective work.

[Aceman]

I was gonna say "AK47 mag"

I always find excessive mag interest fascinating...just not my thing.