TEXT: Tantal

This page details one of the cleanest builds of a Russian milled receiver AK-47 we have seen, and although this web site is dedicated to its' more modern small calibre siblings, this rifle is so nice I didn't want to miss this chance to display it here for our visitors to admire. With the kind permission of owner and builder Josh Kwiatkowski, we offer a rare and motivating glimpse of what these early rifles looked like when they were new.

This AK-47 is an accurate representation of an Avtomat Kalashnikov made at Izhevsk Arsenal between 1953 to 1959. Western experts commonly refer to this version as the Type III, which denotes it is the third, final and definitive version of the original "AK-47" model. Chambered in Soviet M43 calibre 7,62x39mm, the AK-47 became a popular small arm known for it's legendary reliability and firepower. Even though production in Russia ended in 1959, it continues to serve alongside it's more modern offspring worldwide. Milled receiver copies are still made in several countries including Bulgaria, China, and even the United States. When the term "AK-47" is used, this rifle is exactly what it should look like. Our featured rifle is fitted with distinctive and correct laminated furniture, which contrasts very nicely with the dark black finish of the metal. This rifle is painted rather than blued, indicating it might have been a late production version.

These two images show left and right hand side views, details of the milled receiver, and the method for attaching the AK-47 spear point bayonet. Correct features include a polished bolt carrier (rather than blued/painted) and early "slab side" AK-47 30-round magazines. Also, note the attachment location for the rear sling swivel, which is on the left side of the receiver just ahead of the stock mounting hole. This is the most correct location for an original rifle. Most replacement buttstocks will have bottom sling swivel locations.

Many details shown here are unique among the AK-47 variants, having been omitted or modified on later models to come. For instance, the laminated lower handguard is flat and smooth, with no finger grooves or bulges. Pistol grip is thicker than later laminated examples as used on AKM, AKMS and AKS-74. The buttstock on the AK-47 also droops at a steep angle, compared to the straight, almost in-line design of the AKM and later AK-74 rifle stocks. Note the milled receiver, which has no rivets. A large, rectangular-shaped lightening cut at the front just above the magazine well (extending all the way to the edge near the barrel) easily identifies this as a milled pattern rifle.

Also notice that the original military issued magazine pouch has a leather name tag sewn on, with the soldier's name neatly hand printed in Cyrillic. This was a common practice in the Soviet Army. This no doubt adds intrinsic value to any collector's accessory set.

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Thanks again to Josh for allowing us to admire his excellent rifle. Careful selection of parts and accessories has resulted in a beautiful rifle, and a wonderful display that has already generated a lot of interest among fellow enthusiasts. We are very happy to include it here!

--Tantal

See our AK-74 Production Variations Study by clicking the link above.

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