Faktory 47

Posted on September 30 2019

In 1945, Mikhail Kalashnikov began

design on what would arguably become the most prolific, identifiable, iconic, and most produced weapons platform in history, the Avtomat Kalashnikova, known today as the AK-47. Variants of the Kalashnikov have been produced by over 30 countries around the world and utilized in nearly every conflict since its introduction. From the original Type 1 design to the many nations and factories who have varied it with their own influence, the rich history of the platform is beyond captivating and undeniable. If you are equally fascinated with the iconic culture of the Kalashnikov pattern of weapons, Faktory 47 is for you!

Chinese Preban AK Imports Part 4 - B-West

B-West (also rendered B West or B-WEST) was one of the earlier American importers of Chinese Type 56-pattern semi-automatic Kalashnikov rifles. Following Clayco Sports in 1983 and Golden State Arms Distributors (GSAD) in 1984, B-West entered the market in late 1984 to early 1985, with many of their first complete Chinese-made rifles reaching U.S. dealers in 1985.

Chinese Preban AK Imports Part 3 - Rare Importers

Following the pioneering Clayco Sports imports of 1983 and the larger-volume Golden State Arms Distributors (GSAD) shipments that began in 1984, a number of smaller or shorter-lived American companies brought in Chinese Type 56-pattern semi-automatic rifles before the March 1989 import restrictions (and the later 1994 Assault Weapons Ban) cut off the flow of “assault rifles” configured with military features. These lesser-known importers never matched the volume or name recognition of later Norinco and Poly Technologies (Polytech) shipments, but their rifles represent some of the earliest and scarcest examples of Chinese Kalashnikovs to reach U.S. civilian hands.

From War Weapon to Art Form: The Fascinating History of AK-47 Battlefield Trench Art

Trench art is artwork created by soldiers from materials at hand—typically spent bullets, shells, or other battlefield scraps. AK-47 trench art specifically transforms discarded Kalashnikov components (cartridges, magazines, stocks, bayonets, and more) into sculptures, jewelry, bowls, vases, and engraved pieces.