Soviet, Cold War Era, Tula Arsenal AK-47 - AKM Bakelite Magazine, Star Marked Mould “79”, with Five 7.62×39 Inert PPU Rounds

*Soviet, Cold War Era, Tula Arsenal AK-47 - AKM Bakelite Magazine, Star Marked Mould “79”, with Five 7.62×39 Inert PPU Rounds*

An original Soviet AK-47 / AKM 7.62×39 thirty-round magazine manufactured from distinctive orange phenolic composite (“Bakelite”) material and produced at the renowned Tula Arsenal. The magazine displays the characteristic five-pointed Tula star arsenal marking moulded into one side of the body, with mould number “79” on the opposite side.

The magazine body is constructed from AG-4S glass-fibre reinforced phenolic resin, a thermoset composite widely used in Soviet small-arms production from the late 1950s onward. These early composite magazines were designed to replace heavier steel examples while maintaining excellent strength and durability. The striking translucent amber-orange colour, with visible fibre striations within the resin, is typical of Soviet Bakelite AK magazines and has made them highly desirable among collectors.

The magazine retains its correct steel feed lips, locking lug and baseplate assembly, with the original black steel baseplate fitted. Internally it remains complete with follower and spring.

Accompanying the magazine are five inert 7.62×39 display cartridges, headstamped PPU 7.62×39, manufactured by Prvi Partizan of Serbia. These rounds are inert display examples intended for safe handling, demonstration or display purposes.

Approx. Measurements – Magazine length: 23 cm. Width: 7 cm.

Historical Note:
During the late 1950s and 1960s the Soviet Union introduced phenolic-resin composite magazines for the AKM rifle, replacing earlier all-steel examples used on the original AK-47. These composite magazines were lighter, resistant to corrosion, and extremely robust under field conditions. The distinctive orange-brown colour resulted from the phenol-formaldehyde resin and reinforcing glass fibres used in their construction.

Two principal Soviet arsenals manufactured these magazines: Tula and Izhevsk. Tula-produced examples are easily recognised by the five-pointed star arsenal emblem, moulded directly into the magazine body. Mould numbers such as “79” were included for internal factory quality control, identifying the specific mould used during production rather than the year of manufacture.

Because these magazines were issued widely throughout the Soviet armed forces and allied Warsaw Pact states during the Cold War, they became one of the most recognisable components of the AKM rifle system. Today, original Soviet Bakelite magazines—particularly those with clear arsenal markings—are highly sought after by collectors of Cold War small arms.

*Condition*
The magazine remains in good original condition with the expected service wear consistent with age and use. The Bakelite body shows typical handling marks and surface scratches, with clear moulded markings including the Tula star and “79” mould number. Steel components including the baseplate, feed lips and locking lug show light wear and age-related finish loss. The accompanying cartridges are inert display examples marked PPU 7.62×39. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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