Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) ‘Bring Back’ AK47 Type 56 Semi-Auto 7.62x39mm Rifle

Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) ‘Bring Back’ — Chinese Type 56-1 AK-Pattern Rifle, State Factory 66, China — Serial No. 19116536A

Chinese-manufactured Type 56-1 AK-pattern rifle, produced by State Factory 66, China, and identified by the △66 arsenal mark. The rifle is the folding-stock variant of the Chinese Type 56 family, chambered in 7.62 × 39 mm, and bears factory number 19116536 together with an additional hand-scribed number 16536. The original 56-1 designation and △66 factory marking provide a specific identification of the rifle as a State Factory 66 Type 56-1 rather than simply an AK-pattern rifle. The folding-stock configuration is characteristic of the Type 56-1 variant.

The rifle bears a particularly important group of British military processing markings, including A0205A, 221 EOD, FFE, ATO and 7/8/91. The A0205A marking identifies the relevant British military unit (UIN), while the 221 EOD marking is associated with British Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel. FFE denotes Free From Explosives and ATO indicates Ammunition Technical Officer inspection or authorisation.

The 7891 marking is interpreted as 7 August 1991, providing a specific date for the British military processing. The combination of the A0205A UIN, 221 EOD identification, FFE and ATO markings together with the specific 1991 date provides unusually strong physical evidence of the rifle's subsequent British military handling.

The timing of the British EOD processing is historically notable, occurring shortly after the conclusion of the 1991 Gulf War. Chinese Type 56 rifles were widely exported and were used by military forces and organisations throughout the Middle East. The August 1991 processing is therefore consistent with the rifle having been recovered or otherwise brought into British military custody in the post-Gulf War period, although a specific Iraqi or Gulf War capture history has not presently been established.

Following its British military processing, the rifle subsequently formed part of a British military armoury collection before being transferred to a serving officer in 2015. A formal letter of transfer was executed following its deactivation.

The rifle was deactivated in 2015 and issued deactivation certificate DA 54688. Following subsequent changes to the applicable deactivation requirements, the rifle was submitted for further examination in 2026 and issued certificate no. 13703.

Provenance documentation includes:

• Copy of British Army letter confirming transfer of ownership to the private collection.

• Copy of MOD 7677 Issue and Receipt Voucher document recording transfer to a serving officer.

• Copy of British military armoury ledger printout recording serial number 19116536.

• Copy of 2015 deactivation certificate DA 54688.

• Original 2026 deactivation certificate no. 13703.

Provenance: Chinese manufacture, State Factory 66 → Chinese / foreign military service, precise history unknown → British military custody and EOD processing, A0205A / 221 EOD / FFE / ATO, 7 August 1991 → British military armoury collection → transfer to serving officer, 2015 → continuously retained in the same private collection.

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