The American Syndicate!

Posted on October 06 2019

Syndicate: (noun) [/ˈsindikət/]

- A group of individuals or organizations combined to promote a common interest.

The American Syndicate!

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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.