Here are 30-round AK magazines from nine different countries. While all look the same, there are differences is the original finish, the stamps along the ribs, construction, followers, bottom retainers, welds, the number of ribs, types of ribs, and the depression lines and how they terminate that help identify the origin. Even within the same country, there will be differences, such as the Russians using factory logos for Ishevsk or Tula or "M" for Molot. Magazines also vary depending on whether they were originally designed for the AK-47 or AKM in the same country.
These are my accepted examples (always subject to change), but there are those that know far more than I do and may be able to point out other things or mistakes.
Here is a Bulgarian that I unwrapped brand new. Notice the termination of the depression right below where I penciled "BUL";. It cuts up at 45 degrees before ending.
Here is a Chinese flat back. Note two ribs on the bottom. Compare these ribs to those of the Yugo mag. And the telltale give-away.
Egyptian, brand new from Copes Distributing. I have also seen older Egyptian mags stamped "Made In Egypt" too.
East German. East German mags are nicely blued and crisp in the ribs. Also look at the extensive spot welding along the spine and how equidistant the welds are.
Hungarian and its "C2" stamp. Variations include "2" or "20". My Hungarian 20-round mags all have "20" except one is also marked "C2".
Polish and its circle "11" stamp. Also notice how the depression below where I penciled "POL" turns 90 degrees before ending.
Romanian and a simple "0" with a line. Some just have a "0", some have nothing.
Hungarian. Circle "M" and notice the end of the spine, which is square unlike other magazines that end at a 45 degree angle.
Finally, Yugoslavian. Note the two ribs along the bottom, but a full spine. Also, when compared to the Chinese, the lower rib on the Yugo mag nearly touched the bottom plate, while the Chinese is higher.
And of course, the unique follower. Yugo on the left, Russian (and most others) on the right.
Actually, let me add more... Croatian/Bosnian. Some have what looks like the boyscout symbol
Here are three Russian Izhevsk with the easily identifiable full arrow in the triangle logo below the middle rib.
and an old Russian aluminum "waffle" mag.
Here are better pictures highlighting exactly what I mean by the Chinese magazine not having a spine as compared to the Yugoslavian magazine.
...and another picture of the spine area along with the two ribs at the bottom. Both magazines have only two ribs but note the location. The Chinese ribs also extend further to the front of the magazine, while the Yugo ribs are pretty much confined to the larger, flat area.
I just want to point something out here...there are magazines for sale from some distributors listed as either Chinese or Yugoslavian, but are actually neither and you must ask or read the ad carefully.
If you are trying to keep your magazines as original as possible, be on the lookout for "Chugos" which are magazines made by combining Yugo and Chinese parts in an attempt to simply sell magazines.
Okay, here's an update and more info to muddy the waters further. fnfalman, here are the mags you spoke of.. Chinese Polytech with the chrome follower
Chinese with the stamped side plate
Here are original Egyptian with "Made In Egypt" stamps on the side plate
Russian slab side
A nice picture of a Russian aluminum waffle
Russian Izshevsk with the "Arrow in Triangle" stamp on the side rib
Russian Izshevsk with the stamp on the spine
Bosnian/Croatian two-rib (unknown original photographer)
Bosnian/Croatian Fleur de Lys
Bosnian/Croatian single side rib
Hungarian "Man on the Moon" stamp that Serb talked about
A nice East German sample. While this one has been refinished, again notice the crisp stamps and overall workmanship.
And two nice Polish magazines. Notice the absence of obvious welds on the side plates.
Factory marks (from bottom): Soviet Izhmash, Soviet Tula, Chinese Factory 626.
Second European Ribbed Type Followers (from left): Russian Izhmash, Russian Tula, early Bulgarian, late Bulgarian, early Polish, late Polish, Rumanian.
Bulgarian Cirlce 10 Polymer mag
Xtech Tactical MAG47
X-Ray Russian Bakelite
