5.45 X 39 AK.74

The 5.45×39mm cartridge was a Russian development in the early 1970s, and is an example of an international tendency towards relatively small sized, light weight, high velocity military service cartridges. Cartridges like the 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO and Chinese 5.8×42mm allow a soldier to carry more ammunition for the same weight compared to their larger and heavier predecessor cartridges and produce relatively low bolt thrust and free recoil impulse, favouring light weight arms design and automatic fire accuracy. (Wikipedia.com)


   Possibly South African

   Military Arms Research Service, San José CA


FACTORY 3 – ULYANOVSK RUSSIA

  

  

 

  

   

Some sources state that these were Czech experimental loadings, however they are fakes. Most of the European collectors specialising in military cartridges share this opinion. They first showed up during the 90’s where specimens were offered at the Chicagoland Cartridge Show. Apparently they were sold as BARREL PROOF rounds.


FACTORY CODE 5, SPREEWERKE, LUBBEN, GDR

  

   Observation


FACTORY CODE 10, KAZANLAK, BULGARIA

   Dummy

  


FACTORY CODE 17, PODOLSK RUSSIA

  


FACTORY CODE 21, POLAND

  

   Barrel Proof


FACTORY CODE 60, FRUNZE, RUSSIA

  

  

   As with the Ulyanovsk examples above, this is a fake.


FACTORY CODE 270, LUGANSK, RUSSIA – CURRENTLY EASTERN UKRAINE

  

  

   Blank

   Reference


FACTORY CODE 322, UZINA MECANICA SADU, ROMANIA

  

  

The 5.45×39 RSA, experimental tracer uses a Romanian LS case (323   88) with 322   87 also observed. The GM projectile with tracer compound is in fact the experimental aspect in this cartridge. It has a lacquered green tip.


FACTORY CODE 323, UZINA MECANICA SADU, ROMANIA

  


FACTORY CODE 324, ROMANIA

  

  

  


FACTORY CODE 539, TULA CARTRIDGE WORKS, RUSSIA

  

  

   Proof load – 10% overpressure

  

  

   Proof load – 30% overpressure


KAZAKSTAN

   UNFINISHED CASE


COMMERCIAL HEADSTAMPS