Where an AK was made is stamped on it.Factory marks, proof marks and receiver markings, country by country.
1Russia
Arrow in a Triangle
Izhevsk. Seen on Russian AK-74 magazines in orange, plum and black.
Arrow in a Shield
Izhevsk trademark, seen on pistol grips and other parts.
Arrow in a Circle
Seen on Russian Makarov pistols.
Star
Tula. Seen on brown AK-74 magazines.
Star in a Triangle
Tula arsenal.
Star in a Shield
Molot in Vyatskie Polyany. Seen on RPK drums and 45 round RPK-74 magazines.
Izhevsk and Tula Proof Marks
Proof and inspection marks from the two main arsenals.
Saiga Receiver
A modern Saiga carries many import and factory marks.
2Bulgaria
10 in a Double Circle
Arsenal, Kazanlak. Seen on trunnions, magazines, scabbards and Makarovs.
21 in a Double Circle
Seen on dark red AK-74 magazines.
25 in a Single Circle
Seen on black AK-74 magazines.
3Romania
Arrow in a Triangle
Cugir. The Romanian arrow has no feathers.
Empty Triangle
Romanian factory mark.
SAR-1 Receiver
Import and model markings on a SAR-1.
Hand Engraved Look
Many Romanian markings look written freehand with an engraving pen.
WASR-2
Stamped AK-74 receiver.
4China
66 in a Triangle
Norinco. Reported on receivers, trunnions and metal magazines.
386 in a Circle
Polytech. Reported on receivers and trunnions.
26 in a Triangle
Chinese state factory 26.
36 in a Triangle
Chinese state factory 36.
416 in a Triangle
Chinese state factory 416.
Norinco Receiver
A stamped Norinco receiver with the 66 mark.
5East Germany
Circle in a Diamond
Suhl. Seen on East German Makarovs and AK receivers with the K3 mark.
K in an Oval
Ernst Thaelmann works, Suhl. Seen on MPi-AK-74N receivers.
Shining C
East German mark.
East German Proof Marks
Proof marks sent in by a reader.
6Poland, Egypt, India and North Korea
11 in an Oval
Radom, later Lucznik.
Maadi Rear Sight Block
Egyptian stamped receiver mark.
Maadi Front Trunnion
Serial number on the trunnion.
Indian Marks
Indian factory marks sent in by a reader.
Star in a Circle
North Korea.
7United States Receivers
US built AKs use receivers from several makers. Markings name the maker, city and caliber. Builder profiles are on AK47 Builder.
Stamped Receiver, Arizona
A US stamped receiver used by many builders.
Milled Receiver, Nevada
Milled receiver markings.
Stamped Receiver, Ohio
1080 carbon steel, 1.24 mm thick, heat treated at the hammer and trigger holes.