SteyrAUG
08-03-11, 22:51
Over the years I've had a LOT of Kalashnikov rifles. At the high water mark I think I had 32 of them. Compared to most rifles they are cheap and even very collectible ones usually cost about the same as an AR-15, so it isn't hard for a serious collector to end up with more than a few.
But there is one that has always eluded me.
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7586/000000001567.jpg
Those who know their AKs will recognize it as a Chinese import Type 56 and it is a fairly common variant. I've got a few Polytechs just like it and there is no shortage of Norinco's in a "spiker" configuration.
And this is THE AK I grew up with in the 80s where I saw it in many Vietnam movies and in the pages of SOF.
But this one isn't a Polytech, it's not a Norinco and it isn't even a Clayco import. This one was imported by Golden State Arms Division in California so it is a perfect companion to the GSAD Santa Fe import HK rifles I own. And unlike my Polytechs this one has that deep, dark reddish brown furniture which we all associated with the "red menace" during the Cold War.
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5774/000000001568.jpg
It's not necessarily any more rare than other early 80s imports that preceded the Polytech / Norinco flood of the late 80s but there is just something about Golden State Arms imports that does it for me.
Part of it is knowing the history of Golden State Arms and guys like Bob Brenner, but it is also the significance of a California imported semi automatic Kalashnikov. Twenty five years ago there was no special symbolism as GSAD was probably the second largest firearms importer in the country for much of their history.
Now of course, such things have a deeper significance.
And they do come up from time to time, but in the past I had too many other rifles that were a higher priority or the price just wasn't right. But I finally have one in my collection, another grail off my list.
But there is one that has always eluded me.
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/7586/000000001567.jpg
Those who know their AKs will recognize it as a Chinese import Type 56 and it is a fairly common variant. I've got a few Polytechs just like it and there is no shortage of Norinco's in a "spiker" configuration.
And this is THE AK I grew up with in the 80s where I saw it in many Vietnam movies and in the pages of SOF.
But this one isn't a Polytech, it's not a Norinco and it isn't even a Clayco import. This one was imported by Golden State Arms Division in California so it is a perfect companion to the GSAD Santa Fe import HK rifles I own. And unlike my Polytechs this one has that deep, dark reddish brown furniture which we all associated with the "red menace" during the Cold War.
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5774/000000001568.jpg
It's not necessarily any more rare than other early 80s imports that preceded the Polytech / Norinco flood of the late 80s but there is just something about Golden State Arms imports that does it for me.
Part of it is knowing the history of Golden State Arms and guys like Bob Brenner, but it is also the significance of a California imported semi automatic Kalashnikov. Twenty five years ago there was no special symbolism as GSAD was probably the second largest firearms importer in the country for much of their history.
Now of course, such things have a deeper significance.
And they do come up from time to time, but in the past I had too many other rifles that were a higher priority or the price just wasn't right. But I finally have one in my collection, another grail off my list.