Candid MPi-AK-74N Picture

[Guardian 5]

Genossen,

Here is another photo of the seldom seen MPi-AK-74N in use with the NVA.

A couple of additional notes:
- Is that a bucket of coal or wood chips for the squad stove?
- I don't know how the second soldier from the left is keeping his hat on, time to get a new one Genosse!

The photo is stamped NVA, Potsdam. I'll post that below.

Many thanks,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Here is the stamp on the back of the photo.

[Ralph P]

TJ and all - what is the time period of the photo...

Also great photo...

[iannima]

Well by construction it has got to be after 1985, because that's when production of the AK74 started in the DDR... so call it 1986-1990 and one cannot be far off.

This is another good example that debunks one of those "posthumous rules" that I truly hate . This alleged "rule" started off by claiming that ONLY EVER the Fallschirmjäger had the AK74... Then when irrefutable evidence of the Wachregiment having it too, it was twisted that ONLY EVER "elite units" got it...
Do these soldiers look elite? I would say not... Nor do these:





It is beyond dispute that an AK74 in NVA usage is an exception rather than the rule, just because of the limited time span in which it can conceivably have been used. But that's as much as can be said...

[Ralph P]

Thanks for the update and additional background.

[Guardian 5]

Great comments Matteo!

Thanks for posting the additional pictures.

All the best,
TJ

[iannima]

I agree this is not as clear, but it is somewhat easy to guess it is the same occasion as the colour ones above, just because of the perspective of the ZIL-131 and the line of trees behind. The Bakelite magazine of the chap on the right can just about be identified. The one in the foreground has a somewhat darker sling for his weapon (blueish?) and a bigger buckle in the pattern that became the norm for DDR produced AK74. The evidence is more circumstantial than in the other two photographs, but to my mind, they were all taken on the same occasion. \\

the real bonus is that on the reverse of this last one there are some details: these are apparently troops of the Nachrichtenbatallion of the Verband Leistner and the date is given as 25th April 1989, which is obviously consistent with AK74NS being deployed...

[vacollector]

I remember see photos of NVA soldiers with the AKM-74 rifles. A piece meal upgrade for the NVA isn't too far out of the question. Uniforms, insignia, even equipment upgrades for the main line pieces like T-72, where only partly or halted largely because the DDR was bankrupt. The book " The Stasi : Inside The East German Secret Police ", highlights how financial collapse started to show at the early years of the 1980s.

[fallout2077]

Its interesting to see such early FDA uniforms in use in 1989 in the photos iannima posted.

[Dag]

Yes, this is a bucket of coal. Inside the tent is a very simple stove. Depending for how long the unit would stay there and for what purpose the tents could be made into some rather warm islands in the cold seasons. When there was ample supply of coal and dry wood it was possible to get the stove red-hot. When staying in such tent from Monday to Friday you really appreciated basic comforts like a red-hot stove. With a bit of experience it was possible to even dry wet uniforms without burn marks.

Ref the AK-74 - it was introduced gradually. When I left the regiment I was in until Feb 89 it was still fully equipped with AK-47 (various models depending if tank unit or other). At the same time, other units in 9th Tank Division were fully 'converted' already.
I only fired a few rounds with the AK-74 during a kind of 'introduction' (most likely 1988). I remember it because we all thought we will soon get the new ones and were very disappointed.

[Guardian 5]

Hi Dag,

Good to hear from you. As always, I appreciate getting first hand information from an NVA veteran.

Stay safe!

All the best,
TJ