Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) 'Bring Back' — Romanian AK-Pattern Rifle, 7.62 × 39 mm, 1987 AK Semi-Auto 7.62x39mm Rifle

Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) 'Bring Back' — Romanian AK-Pattern Rifle, 7.62 × 39 mm, 1987 — Serial No. RU 1890

Description

A Romanian-manufactured 7.62 × 39 mm AK-pattern rifle, produced in 1987 and identified by rifle number RU 1890, with additional number 1844 00. The exact Romanian model should remain unconfirmed unless established from the receiver configuration and original markings.

The rifle carries significant British military processing markings, including 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 7891 marking is interpreted as 7 August 1991, providing a specific date for the British military EOD processing. The combination of the 221 EOD, FFE and ATO markings together with the dated processing mark 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. Romanian AK-pattern rifles were exported internationally and could have entered Iraqi service, making the characteristics of this rifle compatible with a possible Iraqi-service history.

The available evidence therefore provides significant Gulf War context.

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 54685. Following subsequent changes to the applicable deactivation requirements, the rifle was submitted for further examination in 2026 and issued certificate no. 13702.

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 RU 1890.

• Copy of 2015 deactivation certificate DA 54685.

• Original 2026 deactivation certificate no. 13702.

Provenance: Romanian manufacture — 1987 → British military custody and EOD processing → British military armoury collection → transfer to serving officer, 2015 → continuously retained in the same private collection.

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