Hey _dis, the 'prefix letter thing' having something to do with production dates was purely speculation on my part, as their 7.62X39 ammo at one time had secret date codes as well.....In all honesty, I really don't beleive the letter codes on AKs amount to much, other than not having to worry about
devulging production numbers, and you only have to press four number characters and two letter characters for a wide ranging serial number set.
However, I stand by my statement that ALL .30 caliber AK variants whether RPK, AKM, AK-47 have a FOUR-DIGIT year code if they have a year code at all (i.e. 1954, not 54).
If your type III has just a 54, it is most likely just a lot number code that the Isreali's used on some of the guns. I have an AKM dated 1971, that has the number '80' stamped on the receiver right below the trunion markings.
I definately don't think your type III is a '52 dated gun. The best you are going to be able to say about your gun, is that if it hasn't been refinished by the Isrealis, and it is blued, then you can safely say 1954-1955 'ish for your kit. If it is painted over park, than you can say 1957-1959 to play it safe. Those aren't definitive dates or anything, but just a guideline.
KMFDM, we have also seen Type II AK's with the dates up to 1955, so they must have really had alot of T2 receivers to use up as they were starting to produce the T3 model. I have never seen a T3 with the year code on it, are you going by the barrel or receiver for I.D.?
If you are going by the receiver, and it is a T3 with a date code 1954 or 1955, please get me some pics!
MG34ss, your 1954 Type II is all Type II, the gas block gives it away. There are definately Type II's out there with full on Type III barrel assemblies though, just look at page 13 of the Tokoi AK book.
I am leaving tomorrow for Russia, so yes will be out of the loop for about 3 weeks!
Take care all,
-C