Kassner Imports, Harrisburg, PA -- AK 47 Underfold
This Company went out of business in 1989. Prior to going out of business, these folks imported some hand guns and also some very nice AK-47's which were made in the Arsenal in Hungary. There was a couple of different models, both were designated as SA-85M, and the caliber was 7.62 x 39. There was a fixed stock model and an "Underfolder." I have been told there was only about 7,000 of these "Underfolders" imported into the states, but I can't verify that information.
Here's what I need. Can someone tell me about the Underfolder and come up with a ballpark value? I would appreciate any information you may have. I find no reference to this gun in the Blue Book of Gun Values. Thanks in advance!
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!
Here's what I need. Can someone tell me about the Underfolder and come up with a ballpark value? I would appreciate any information you may have. I find no reference to this gun in the Blue Book of Gun Values. Thanks in advance!
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!
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Paul, your information about the Kassnar Hungarian AK rifles is pretty much correct. Back in the late 1980's, but before the '89 ban, Kassnar imported about 10,000 of these rifles- 7000 under-folders and less than 3000 with fixed stocks. The deal here was that at the time Hungary was NOT a favored nation, they were still under communist rulle and there should have been no import permit granted for these rifles. The Hungarian Ak's and their High Power clone pistols should have been subject to the same high tariffs as the Czech CZ-75 pistols. If you remember back then CZ-75's were very rare in the USA
back in those days.
After the first 10,000 Hungarian AK's hit the market, along with the pistols, the BATF discovered their error and cancelled all further imports. After Hungary shook off the communists the '89 Bush Ban was already in effect so no more of the "military" rifle coud be imported-but there were thumbhole stock versions brought in for several years, until Clinton pulled the plug.
I sold a good friend and customer an original Kassnar under-folder and he still has it. They are fine rifles and the fit and finish are as good as they come. When first imported they sold for around $350 from Nationwide Sports. Today you'd be looking at around $1200 or more for a new example. The fixed stock rifles are hardly ever encountered and large premiums are asked for those. I have a post ban version that I enjoy very much. All attempts to purchase my friends underfolder have failed...he will never part with it. If you can lay your hands on one of these pre-ban rifles, by all means do so.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark is correct. To add, there was the one shipment back in the 1985-1986 time period. Back in that time period I was told by the distributors that the total order was around 7000 with only about 15% of them with the standard stock and 85% with the folding stock. They were at one time the same price as the Chinese AK's, but the supply of them began to run low in 1987 and the prices began to climb. Used ones were going for $700-800 in 1988, a year before the 1989 Assault Weapons Ban caused the Norincos to sky rocket.
The quality of the Hungarian guns was well established. Many mistakenly thought the guns were milled. They in fact were stamped, but the fit and finish were exceptional. I've had mine since 1987. It is one of my favorite pieces. The true pre-ban models go clear back to the mid 1980's, there was only the one small batch. They have been $1000-1350 since 1989. They have never really lost much value in all of these years. There are so few of them out there. Unfortunately many people bought the post-ban version and tried to pass it off as a pre-ban. Even the post-ban guns are extremely well made. They were halted from import in 1997.0 -
Boy, I'm really surprised to find the fixed stock gun is the rarest of the two! I would have thought the opposite would be true. Just because of the way they were imported seems to have upset the balance here. Very Interesting! Thanks to both you guys for the additional information. Yes, the wood on these is light colored and the fit and finish is very nice. When I first saw it, I thought it was a Norinco 84S. Been offered one of these, no box, a 10 round and a 30 round mag, leather sling, no paperwork, very clean and unable to determine whether or not its been fired because of it being so clean. Easy a 99% gun, but I was more than a little apprehensive when I heard the asking price. Now it doesn't seem quite so bad. Thanks again!
Fish Shudder at the sound of my Name!0
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