Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) ‘Bring Back’ — Chinese Type 56 Rifle, 7.62 × 39 mm AK Type 56 Semi-Auto 7.62x39mm Rifle

Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) ‘Bring Back’ — Chinese Type 56 Rifle, 7.62 × 39 mm — Serial No. 2654487

Description

A Chinese-manufactured Type 56 rifle, chambered in 7.62 × 39 mm, bearing the factory/arsenal marking 386 in lozenge, model marking 56, and serial/identification number 2654487. The rifle carries significant British military processing markings, including A0205A, 221 EOD, FFE, ATO and 7/8/91. 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 7/8/91 marking is interpreted as 7 August 1991, providing a specific date for the British military EOD processing. The combination of these markings provides strong physical evidence that this individual rifle entered British military custody and underwent formal EOD/ordnance processing on 7 August 1991.

The date is historically notable, occurring only months after the 1991 Gulf War / Op GRANBY. Chinese Type 56 rifles were widely exported internationally and are consistent with weapons that could have been encountered amongst Iraqi military equipment. The available evidence therefore provides significant Gulf War context, although the markings alone do not establish that this particular rifle was captured in Iraq or during Op GRANBY.

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 54689. Following subsequent changes to the applicable deactivation requirements, the rifle was submitted for further examination in 2026 and issued certificate no. 13708.

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 2654487.

• Copy of 2015 deactivation certificate DA 54689.

• Original 2026 deactivation certificate no. 13708.

Provenance: Chinese manufacture — Type 56 → British military custody and EOD processing, 1991 → British military armoury collection → transfer to serving officer, 2015 → continuously retained in the same private collection.

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