norinco underfolder

PROPHET455 · 02-17-2004, 08:31 PM

I am looking at an older norinco underfolder locally. Where in the world is the importer stamp hidden. seems that i have looked all over with no luck. Also how can you tell about what year the manufacture was.

Packrat · 02-17-2004, 09:17 PM

The importer stamp is usually at the rear on the left side of the receiver. Year of manufacture was not required until about '92, I believe; I've never seen any year other than '93. It is the prefix for the serial number.

If it's a legal underfolder, it has to be imported no later than '89. They were banned that year. If it says "Sporter" (I believe), and certainly if it says "MAK-90", "NHM-90", or "NHM-91" it was not legally imported. If it was imported, then converted to a folder, get proof that it was converted before 9/94. Earlier than that conversion was illegal but possession was not; after that, conversion and ownership was illegal.

If the gun is old and in good condition, try to deal for it. Those are lovely rifles. I tried for years to buy one from a shooting buddy.

PROPHET455 · 02-18-2004, 05:52 PM

No I am positive this is original older underfolder, would be very suprised if newer than early 80s. what importers were there at this time. this gun seems to have no obvious marking on the reciever for importer. when did underfolders start into this country? it has a very very low serial number also... are there any normal circumstances where they just wouldnt have an importer name?

Packrat · 02-18-2004, 08:08 PM

I believe the importer's name is required. But they might have been less careful then. I don't know when they started importing Chinese AKs. I dropped out of the firearms field for several years, and didn't get back until the AW ban in '89.

Merkava · 02-19-2004, 03:36 PM

Check the barrel. My early import Norinco only has the serial number and "56" on the reciever. Rest of info is on the barrel in VERY small print.

JA · 02-20-2004, 04:14 AM

The date of import was required on AK rifles imported after the ban in 1989. Some of the early imported MAK-90,NHM-90,and NHM-91 rifles the model name satisfied this requirement.
The importer stamping(name,city,state) is required by the Gun Control Act of 1968. Check the bottom of the barrel between the gas block and front sight.

02-17-2004, 08:31 PM	#1
PROPHET455 New Member AKaholic #: 1679 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4	norinco underfolder I am looking at an older norinco underfolder locally. Where in the world is the importer stamp hidden. seems that i have looked all over with no luck. Also how can you tell about what year the manufacture was.

02-17-2004, 09:17 PM	#2
Packrat Veteran Member AKaholic #: 8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mt Vernon IL Posts: 1,059	The importer stamp is usually at the rear on the left side of the receiver. Year of manufacture was not required until about '92, I believe; I've never seen any year other than '93. It is the prefix for the serial number. If it's a legal underfolder, it has to be imported no later than '89. They were banned that year. If it says "Sporter" (I believe), and certainly if it says "MAK-90", "NHM-90", or "NHM-91" it was not legally imported. If it was imported, then converted to a folder, get proof that it was converted before 9/94. Earlier than that conversion was illegal but possession was not; after that, conversion and ownership was illegal. If the gun is old and in good condition, try to deal for it. Those are lovely rifles. I tried for years to buy one from a shooting buddy. __________________ Packrat The Avtomat Kalashnikov--the choice of freedom-fighters everywhere

02-18-2004, 08:08 PM	#4
Packrat Veteran Member AKaholic #: 8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Mt Vernon IL Posts: 1,059	I believe the importer's name is required. But they might have been less careful then. I don't know when they started importing Chinese AKs. I dropped out of the firearms field for several years, and didn't get back until the AW ban in '89. __________________ Packrat The Avtomat Kalashnikov--the choice of freedom-fighters everywhere

02-18-2004, 05:52 PM	#3
PROPHET455 New Member AKaholic #: 1679 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4	No I am positive this is original older underfolder, would be very suprised if newer than early 80s. what importers were there at this time. this gun seems to have no obvious marking on the reciever for importer. when did underfolders start into this country? it has a very very low serial number also... are there any normal circumstances where they just wouldnt have an importer name?

02-19-2004, 03:36 PM	#5
Merkava New Member AKaholic #: 234 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 5	Check the barrel. My early import Norinco only has the serial number and "56" on the reciever. Rest of info is on the barrel in VERY small print.

02-20-2004, 04:14 AM	#6
JA Member AKaholic #: 389 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville,AR Posts: 182	The date of import was required on AK rifles imported after the ban in 1989. Some of the early imported MAK-90,NHM-90,and NHM-91 rifles the model name satisfied this requirement. The importer stamping(name,city,state) is required by the Gun Control Act of 1968. Check the bottom of the barrel between the gas block and front sight.

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