Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) 'Bring Back' — Soviet Izhevsk AKM-Pattern Rifle, 1974 AKM Semi-Auto 7.62x39mm Rifle

Gulf War 1991 (Op GRANBY) 'Bring Back' — Soviet Izhevsk AKM-Pattern Rifle, 1974 — Serial No. 838961

Description

A Soviet-manufactured Izhevsk AKM-pattern rifle, produced in 1974 and chambered in 7.62 × 39 mm. The rifle bears the distinctive Izhevsk arsenal arrow-within-triangle marking, together with the 1974 production date and serial number 838961. The pistol grip is additionally marked 38/2. The Izhevsk arsenal marking, 1974 production date and specific serial number provide a precise identification of the rifle as a Soviet-manufactured AKM-pattern weapon rather than the earlier generic identification as a Tula AK-47.

The rifle bears a particularly significant 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 EOD 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. Soviet-designed weapons were widely encountered among Iraqi military forces, and a 1974 Soviet Izhevsk AKM would be entirely consistent with the type of weapon that could have entered Iraqi service.

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 54691. Following subsequent changes to the applicable deactivation requirements, the rifle was submitted for further examination in 2026 and issued certificate no. 13707.

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 838961.

• Copy of 2015 deactivation certificate DA 54691.

• Original 2026 deactivation certificate no. 13707.

Provenance: Izhevsk Arsenal, Soviet Union — 1974 → Soviet military / foreign 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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