Posted: 1/30/2014 11:15:28 AM EDT
|
I'm meeting a guy tomorrow who says he has a 100% pre-ban Romanian RPK for sale. I asked if all the serial numbers matched and he said yes.
Other then that I'm not sure what to look at to verify authenticity. Any help on what else to look for would be appreciated. Thanks. Here's a couple potato shots. 
|
|
I don't think any Romanian AKs were brought in before the import ban. It's probably a post ban AES10B. Century imported lots of them but I haven't seen any for a while. Could be a kit build also. I could be wrong.
Old listing for AES10B |
|
I have an AES-10B, which looks identical to your picture.
Excellent gun and one of the best things Century did. If you have any questions or would like pictures I would be happy to provide them. Note that the AES-10 is a lot less desirable than the 10B because of the placement of the bipod. ETA: I'm curious what he was asking for it, since he made a fallacious claim about the gun. I paid $450 for it 6-7 years ago, but I have to imagine given how sky high AKs are right now it'd probably be 7-800 for one. Also for the general amusement of everyone here: wat |
|
It's not a preban rifle. The date on the front trunnion might show a preban date but they were chopped and rebuilt in Romania.
Century puts US made parts in them and opens up the magazine well. I'd pass just on the fact he's BSing you on owning for so many years. |
|
Quoted:
He does say it's an ROMANIAN RPK AES10B. You're saying the AES10B moniker was used by CAI? Also said he purchased 18 years ago and stored in safe ever since. That would have been a purchase in 1996. I thought the ban was in 1989.  The seller probably doesn't know what preban means. None of the AES-10B's are pre-1989 import ban nor are they pre-1994-2004 AWB ban. They came in after the 1994-2004 ban expired. They could be described as "preban style" since they aren't wearing a thumbhole stock. The 922 parts are typically gas piston, FCG & pistol grip. If the muzzle nut is welded in place only 5 US parts were installed. If the muzzle nut is detachable it is typically US made for a total of 6 parts. The earliest batch of AES-10B's seem to have been imported in the 2006 timeframe. At that time the trunions were scrubbed and a dot peen number applied. The dot peen number would end with a suffix -06 for 2006 - i.e. VV 3333 - 06. I own a 2006 and a 2008 that are marked that way. Mine were matching but only because the parts had been scrubbed and force matched when assembled. Later AES-10B's had original Romanian trunnion markings left intact showing the Romanian triangle/arrow and year the trunnion was made. Most of the later ones also arrived with the correct length bipod installed. There are at least 3 variants of Romanian RPK bipods. I'd pay to have access to the seller's time machine. 
ETA - the potato pictures look like an earlier import based on the shorter bipod - that style bipod doesn't work well with 40 round mags FWIW. Those shorter bipods were PKM bipods that have a spacer welded on to make them fit the RPK barrel diameter. They are easily removed by pushing a pin. |
|
Quoted: I'm meeting a guy tomorrow who says he has a 100% pre-ban Romanian RPK for sale. I asked if all the serial numbers matched and he said yes. Other then that I'm not sure what to look at to verify authenticity. Any help on what else to look for would be appreciated. Thanks. Here's a couple potato shots. http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps61b1c4d8.jpg http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpse48a81ac.jpg Here is whats 4 sale these dayz, he would have to bought a parts kit back in 96, & thus assembled on a NDS receiver. http://www.jgsales.com/cai-m64-rpk-heavy-barrel-ak-rpk-style-rifle,-7.62x39,-with-club-foot-wood-stock.-p-1584.html |
|
He seems like a nice enough person, as you say he's a bit misinformed.
If you have any questions or would like pictures I would be happy to provide them.
If you could share some, sure! In answer to your other question, he's asking 850.00. Would "Century" be stamped on it anywhere? |
|
Quoted:
He seems like a nice enough person, as you say he's a bit misinformed. If you could share some, sure! In answer to your other question, he's asking 850.00. Would "Century" be stamped on it anywhere? Quoted:
He seems like a nice enough person, as you say he's a bit misinformed. If you have any questions or would like pictures I would be happy to provide them.
If you could share some, sure! In answer to your other question, he's asking 850.00. Would "Century" be stamped on it anywhere? More than likely "CAI" on the receiver. Great rifles and a Romanian 75 Rd drum is perfect on them. |
|
"Help With First Romy RPK Purchase"
Well, this is the part that I like best. That's some good forward thinking. I've got one of the CAI AES10Bs and I like it. I'd like to get another one in the future. Do check it to make sure the front sight cant isn't objectionable. The stuff about it being pre-ban sounds like nonsense, and I'm not sure why that would matter in MS. |
|
Quoted: He seems like a nice enough person, as you say he's a bit misinformed. If you could share some, sure! In answer to your other question, he's asking 850.00. Would "Century" be stamped on it anywhere? Quoted: He seems like a nice enough person, as you say he's a bit misinformed. If you have any questions or would like pictures I would be happy to provide them. If you could share some, sure! In answer to your other question, he's asking 850.00. Would "Century" be stamped on it anywhere? |
Got mine back when they were around $400. Just make sure you check the magwell with a regular steel mag since some had the magwell opened a bit more than needed and the guide tabs for the mag inside the receiver got shaved down too. After a refinish and installing the correct bipod....
[URL=http://s307.photobucket.com/user/56type/media/RPK2.jpg.html]  [/URL]][/URL]
|
Got mine back when they were around $400. Just make sure you check the magwell with a regular steel mag since some had the magwell opened a bit more than needed and the guide tabs for the mag inside the receiver got shaved down too. After a refinish and installing the correct bipod....
|
|
Quoted:
Thanks for the shots! Nice RPK!!! This is what was texted me last night. http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/text1_zps9bbb2af6.jpg I'm tempted to ask for close up's of the stampings on the receiver. His text is bs, there's lots in the country and nowhere near the dollar he claims. Me thinks he has RPK and RPD confused. There is still more than 175 in country however. |
|
Offer him less for it.......no way that is rare
Quoted:
Thanks for the shots! Nice RPK!!! This is what was texted me last night. http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/text1_zps9bbb2af6.jpg I'm tempted to ask for close up's of the stampings on the receiver. |
|
Quoted:
I don't think any Romanian AKs were brought in before the import ban. It's probably a post ban AES10B. Century imported lots of them but I haven't seen any for a while. Could be a kit build also. I could be wrong. Old listing for AES10B Yup they brought in a bunch of romeys before the ban. I used to own a romanian cugir Cur-2 the first model ok ak74 imported into country and well before the ban. man of The SAR series were also preban, they came in with dragonov style stocks. tons of Romy-G kits were dumped in here. $50 kits and screwbuilds were common. WASRs are all post ban. |
|
Quoted: He does say it's an ROMANIAN RPK AES10B. You're saying the AES10B moniker was used by CAI? Also said he purchased 18 years ago and stored in safe ever since. That would have been a purchase in 1996. I thought the ban was in 1989. Century released those rifles in 2006, damn good RPK for the money |
|
Quoted:
This must have been brought over by the Romanian prez himself. And it could be mine!!!! 
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/text2_zps890fb017.jpg News flash. Neck beard is attempting to screw you. My also have a Canadian made SKS to sell you as well. |
|
Quoted: Thanks for all the input so far!!! This is GD is awesome! Stay tuned as I requested photos of receiver stampings!!  And "preban" is meaningless in Mississippi - unless you're talking about a pre-1989 Norinco or something. The Federal AWB ended in 2004. Mississippi has no state-level ban.
|
|
Quoted:
I'm meeting a guy tomorrow who says he has a 100% pre-ban Romanian RPK for sale. I asked if all the serial numbers matched and he said yes. Other then that I'm not sure what to look at to verify authenticity. Any help on what else to look for would be appreciated. Thanks. Here's a couple potato shots. http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps61b1c4d8.jpg http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpse48a81ac.jpg Under no circumstances should you get a Romy RPK - I hated mine 
|
|
Quoted:
Yup they brought in a bunch of romeys before the ban. I used to own a romanian cugir Cur-2 the first model ok ak74 imported into country and well before the ban. man of The SAR series were also preban, they came in with dragonov style stocks. tons of Romy-G kits were dumped in here. $50 kits and screwbuilds were common. WASRs are all post ban. Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't think any Romanian AKs were brought in before the import ban. It's probably a post ban AES10B. Century imported lots of them but I haven't seen any for a while. Could be a kit build also. I could be wrong. Old listing for AES10B Yup they brought in a bunch of romeys before the ban. I used to own a romanian cugir Cur-2 the first model ok ak74 imported into country and well before the ban. man of The SAR series were also preban, they came in with dragonov style stocks. tons of Romy-G kits were dumped in here. $50 kits and screwbuilds were common. WASRs are all post ban. The CUR was AWB era. I'm talking about the 1989 import ban. The CUR series were just after the WUM series in the mid to late 1990s. Both were after the 1989 import ban and 1994 AWB. The reason it had the Drag type thumbhole stock was because it was post import ban. |
|
Quoted:
The CUR was AWB era. I'm talking about the 1989 import ban. The CUR series were just after the WUM series in the mid to late 1990s. Both were after the 1989 import ban and 1994 AWB. The reason it had the Drag type thumbhole stock was because it was post import ban. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't think any Romanian AKs were brought in before the import ban. It's probably a post ban AES10B. Century imported lots of them but I haven't seen any for a while. Could be a kit build also. I could be wrong. Old listing for AES10B Yup they brought in a bunch of romeys before the ban. I used to own a romanian cugir Cur-2 the first model ok ak74 imported into country and well before the ban. man of The SAR series were also preban, they came in with dragonov style stocks. tons of Romy-G kits were dumped in here. $50 kits and screwbuilds were common. WASRs are all post ban. The CUR was AWB era. I'm talking about the 1989 import ban. The CUR series were just after the WUM series in the mid to late 1990s. Both were after the 1989 import ban and 1994 AWB. The reason it had the Drag type thumbhole stock was because it was post import ban. ah your right my mistake. as far as rpks go the only preban were chicom, valmets and russian. |
|
Quoted:
Well I finally caught up with the guy. Paid 750.00. Not sure if I got burnt or not but its clean. Not sure if built in Romania and imported by CAI as stamping says. Chime in. http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpsa93cf0bd.jpg http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps36edcb8e.jpg http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpse8f2c840.jpg Same gun i got from Classic Arms for 400ish?? maybe a year ago.. Sorry man idk about that- Guy might have burned you |
|
Mine. Haven't had her out in a few years....
I was one of the first people to do a setup like this in the US with the folding stock. I was trying to copy the Romy folder I saw in Afghanistan, I didn't realize what I had seen was the RPKS-74... felt kinda stupid but hell, I had a nice looking and accurate RPK in 7.62x39. I have a push button folder to install someday, just didn't do it yet. Started with this.... 
Pic I took on the left at the Bazaar on KAF, mine in the upper right, lower left is a museum pic. 
|
|
You didn't do bad, Century Romanian AK pattern rifles are a bit hit or miss, and it is always best to check them out in person before buying. Canted front site bases were a common issue on them. If they are selling for $699 plus shipping new, then $750 cash isn't bad if it is really good shape (looks like it is) and it has straight sites. IIRC those rifles were imported as single stack rifles import legal rifles, once in the US Century set the angry chimpanzees they employ loose on them to convert them to US built double stack mag rifles. That process would have involved opening the mag well (something they didn't always get right), replacing the FCG and a few other parts with US made parts. I am not an expert, but am pretty familiar with AKs, and am certain that there were no Romanian AK pattern rifles imported before either the 89 or 94 bans, and the AES series rifles weren't sold until well after the end of the 94 Ban. There may have been a few non commercial imports of Romanian rifles prior to the bans, but they would have been very special rifles, and would most likely be full auto military guns imported prior to 69, maybe as bringback from Vietnam (I have never even heard of this happening with a Romanian rifle, and have never heard of Romanian AK's in Vietnam, but it is possible). |
|
Quoted:
Same gun i got from Classic Arms for 400ish?? maybe a year ago.. Sorry man idk about that- Guy might have burned you Quoted:
Quoted:
Well I finally caught up with the guy. Paid 750.00. Not sure if I got burnt or not but its clean. Not sure if built in Romania and imported by CAI as stamping says. Chime in. http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpsa93cf0bd.jpg http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps36edcb8e.jpg http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m570/highrailjon/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zpse8f2c840.jpg Same gun i got from Classic Arms for 400ish?? maybe a year ago.. Sorry man idk about that- Guy might have burned you I doubt you did a year ago. A year ago today you could hock a DPMS for $2k easy. |
|
Quoted: He does say it's an ROMANIAN RPK AES10B. You're saying the AES10B moniker was used by CAI? Also said he purchased 18 years ago and stored in safe ever since. That would have been a purchase in 1996. I thought the ban was in 1989.  |
|
OP - I think you did fine on price. Especially for a face to face transaction.
There was a time when AES-10Bs were 399.99 from Classic Arms in 2008. That's when I bought my two. That price didn't last long. They have been priced in the $700 range for some time. Most on gunbroker sell for over $800 based on completed auction search. There was a small batch at J&G being sold without bipods a few months ago in Fall 2013 for $499.99 - that was a rare market dip. Genuine RPK bipods have gotten harder to find. Since we turned it into a pic thread... Mine as received: 
After Soviet indoctrination: 
|