Tabuk pics!!

[KalashniKollectr]

Here are the Iraqi Tabuk pics!!

Note this particular version is a direct copy of the Yugoslavian M70B1 (as many are). Notice the rifle and its various parts, the parts were obviously imported from Serbia (note the date on the receiver) and then built up in Iraq. The Yugoslavs assisted the Iraqi's quite a bit w/ demostic manufacturing of AK type rifles, many of which were patterned after Yugo variants.

There are however, a few differences between this particular example and a Yugo M70B1. The first being the fact that this version lacks the rifle grenade launching capability that is found on most all Yugoslav versions and even many Iraqi versions. The second is the muzzle device, notice how the Iraqi's used an SVD style flash hider on this particular rifle vs. the ctypical slant cut muzzle brake. Also a few other minor differences, note the rear sight; RPK type, note the selector lever; early Yugo M70 type w/o tab, note the lack of the cross pin receiver cover lock system which is common on most all Yugo AK's, also note the hole at the rear of the receiver. Hmmmm, it's adding up, I'm starting to think that this was a side folding stock RPK version cut down and further modified into M70 type configuration, thoughts????

BTW, thanks Doug for the excellent pics, and stay safe over there!!!!


http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host1.jpg


http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host2.jpg


More coming...

[KalashniKollectr]

http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host3.jpg


http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host4.jpg

[KalashniKollectr]

http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host5.jpg


http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host6.jpg

[KalashniKollectr]

http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host9.jpg

[KalashniKollectr]

http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host7.jpg

[KalashniKollectr]

http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host8.jpg

[KalashniKollectr]

http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host10.jpg


http://www.mainepatriot.com/Host%20pics/Woods/host11.jpg



Thanks Doug, these pics are excellent, thanks again for sharing!


The Kollector

[KalashniKollectr]

Note the lack of a notch cut out for the FA position.


The Kollector

[Brian in MN]

Have you ever seen that type of skeleton butt on a Yugo before? Wierd.


Doug, if you can ship things home, folks are looking for those pistol grips and the rubber butt pads. The whole butt would be even better: the solid variety.

[Brian in MN]

The mag well looks like it is 7.62 x 39. I see that it is so marked on the sight block. Is it in fact 7.62 x 39? The rest of the features suggest some sort of sniper rifle configuration.

The barrel and hadguards are standard rifle, not RPK. Wierd rifle. I think that someone at the factory was just having some wecsog fun.

[KalashniKollectr]

The buttstock is just an M70 butt which has been skeletonized. Yes, it is chambered in 7.62x39, note my above description of the rifle and as you stated the caliber designation on the RSB "7.62x39".


The Kollector

[MTSQ]

I will take 2!

Sure would like to refinish the metal and the wood on that puppy and stick it in the safe next to the AR that I have abandoned.

thanks for the pics

[Ugh]

Lots of interest in handguards and pistol grips from Yugo rifles!

[KalashniKollectr]

I just heard back from Doug, he said that this rifle has a longer barrel making it what's called a Tabuk "Sniper".

From what I believe the barrel assembly is domestically made in Iraq and obviously all other parts are imported from Serbia (Zastava). Can anyone confirm on the BBL assrmbly?

Doug, thanks for taking the time to send these pics, I appretiate it. Stay safe!

The Kollector

[eodinert]

I wish I could send home bits, but at this point I don't think it will fly. As it is, mail isn't coming in, much less going out; they hit the DHL mail plane with an SA-7. Didn't crash, but it was burning when it landed. DHL can't come here any more, at least for now.

I sent a new picture of the entire rifle next to my duty rifle, it will hopefully be up soon. I examined the barrel fairly close looking for proofs or marks of any type, and could not find any.

I understand the Serbs helped build the rifles, but why do you believe the Iraqi's only made the barrel? From my compadre's down south, I heard they went to the factory during the 'scrap'. Wish I could have gotten in on that. I assumed they made them here on imported Yugo tooling. The reciever does appear to have grind marks under the 'worm' markings in front of the selector lever, as if they had changed the markings. Why does the date stamp suggest Yugo origins?

The other AK's I have access to are pretty beat, but I'll take pictures as I can. One of them has an 'infinity' symbol in the full-auto position in front of the selector. What countries used this marking?

Thanks..
Doug

[KalashniKollectr]

The barrel could have been manufactured at Zastava but I just don't know, the M72B1 (RPK) barrel is different than this barrel, specs don't match. All other parts are made in Serbia, the stock sets, receiver (note the serial numbers and as you stated the selector markings, there were different markings under the current ones as you can tell by the traces left from sanding the old ones down), the internals, etc., the barrel could very well be made in Serbia at the Zastava factory and probably most likely was, I was just taking it further.

The AK w/ the infinity sign on the FA position is either Hungarian or East German.


The Kollector

[Pave]

I have an '84 Tabuk AKM underfolder "Demilled training aid".....except for night sights, it's just like the Yugos that we also picked up in DS.

[ricochet]

Howdy Doug,
We do appreciate the pictures and REALLY appreciate the job you guys are doing over there. Stay safe and shoot straight, also keep us posted on your adventures (as you can).
Tell your buddies we support y'all and the work you guys are doing, not as the news presents the news. Thank you...
Take care.

[Brian in MN]

Any detail about the barrel that strikes you, Kalash? The gas block with the slight plum hue certainly looks like the blocks on my Yugoslav AK's.

The spot welds are a bit more crude but otherwise it looks like the same quality level. I have one Yugo plastic grip. It does not have the round mold marks like this one. It does have a serial number on one side where the mold marks appear on this specimen.

[Brian in MN]

It is interesting to see that there does not appear to be a flip up night sight on the front sight.

[*Templar*]

Infinity symbol is Hungarian.

East German used "D" for their full auto selector position and "E" for their semi auto selector.

[eodinert]

Thanks for the support and kind words.

Things here are odd (I'm pretty far north)... It seems peaceful, yet it's not. Our camp has taken rockets and mortars on three or four occasions, and GI's are still getting hurt or killed every few days. I have done a life time's worth of incidents since I've been here (four weeks, yesterday). There's a Sergeant Major running around who's biggest concern is whether my vehicle is properly dispatched, and whether I have my hat on while I'm doing maintenance on my robot.

The hadji bomb makers are hard at work, and keep us busy day and night. Even though I secretly enjoy what I'm doing, and support our operations here 100%, I had transitioned into the 'Dad/Family guy' mode, and had hoped to be spending my thanksgiving elsewhere.

It's nutty. Twilight Zonish. Can't wait 'till it's over.

~Doug

[KalashniKollectr]

The East Germans also used the infinity symbol as well. I'm not sure if just on the export versions or what but I've seen EG AK's w/ the same selector markings as the Hungarian AK's.

Doug, stay safe over there man, and keep us updated! It must be tough being over there during this time of year especially, best wishes,

The Kollector

[omar]

Thank you for your service and come home safe.


Jim

[Beryl]

I know Tabuks don't have them, but if you or anyone else can get me an M-70B grenade launcher sight, I'll pay you $50 plus shipping. I just want the sight ladder, and it is NOT the same as the SKS sight. If all you can get is the complete gas block, I'll pay more.

I have a pre-ban Yugo AK on which I have installed a Yugoslav M-70B gas block, but the sight is broken on one side. I need another one, as I cannot weld the one I have. They are kinda thin.

[bangophile]

way cool pics man, thanks. keep your head down, write in a journal or something and keep it for your grandkids. and thank you.

[K1196A]

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/5123Austin_s_Guns_in_Iraq.jpg

here is the one my brother was carrying in iraq. he said it had arabic writing on it so i assume it's not a yugo (cool either way though).