So I found this magazine at work...

[aka_mythos 35]

So I found this rifle magazine at work, in a box of miscellaneous odds and ends that were being thrown out. I saved it from the scrap bin. I'm not sure what it belongs to so I thought maybe someone here would. It seems to be a solid extruded piece of aluminum with a plastic follower and steel floor plate. It looks like its meant for a 5.56/.223 cartridge and maybe holds 30 rnds... but can't say for sure. The follower has a spring loaded articulation to seemingly push the tip of the cartridge up.

 

 

Anyone know?

Edited November 15, 2012 by Mythos

[BpS12 512]

Interesting, any markings?

[aka_mythos 35]

No markings... no numbers or letters of any sort.

 

Also, you can't really see it in the picture but the top portion of the magazine also has a slight angle converging with the angle of the bottom plate.

 

You can also see it has that angled rocker wedge that sticks out. I think that might be a clue, since it implies a rock and lock reloading motion as opposed to straight in feed of the magazine into a well.

[csspecs 1,987]

Ok what kind of place do you work at?

 

Someone put a lot of money into that design.

[aka_mythos 35]

I work at a company that manufactures ordnance and fuzing for the military, no small arms, but my impression was this was just something some old timer left at his desk after he retired.

[ChileRelleno 7,071]

Hmmmmm... Too big for M1 Carbine?

[BpS12 512]

Its not for the old German assault rifle is it? Don't remember name or designation.

[Fallschirmjager667 729]

Its not for the old German assault rifle is it? Don't remember name or designation.

 

the stg44? no, they used curved mags with different ribs made from stamped steel

[Matthew Hopkins 1,065]

except for a couple exceptions, rifle mags, especially ones that are 30 rounds have a curve to them, to feed reliably, this one is straight.

 

if I had to guess, it looks like a experimental mag that hit a dead end, judging that the follower has a spring loaded articulation to push the tip of the cartridge up. no mag has that peculiar follower feature

 

as to what rifle it was meant for, that'a head scratcher. the front of the locking lug looks like the mags "rocks and locks" into a mag well. but that's the only clue I can come up with

Edited November 15, 2012 by Matthew Hopkins

[csspecs 1,987]

I work at a company that manufactures ordnance and fuzing for the military, no small arms, but my impression was this was just something some old timer left at his desk after he retired.

 

Probably a dead end project. Some rifle being built for the defense market that never saw the light of day.

 

The follower is likely intended to compensate for the absence of a curve.. Which works on drawings better then in the field.

 

Care to post a picture of the internals?

[aka_mythos 35]

I'll throw some internal pictures up tonight when I get home.

 

None of the pics I found online looked like it beyond the angled floorplate common to some of the european straight mags. If it weren't for some of the strange features, I thought it looked a bit like a FAMAS mag, but only supperficially.

[Matthew Hopkins 1,065]

I thought it looked a bit like a FAMAS mag, but only supperficially.

 

FAMAS mags are inserted in the gun, you're going to have look at rifles that "rock and lock" the mag in the gun, like a AK

Edited November 15, 2012 by Matthew Hopkins

[Superhawk138 202]

Have you confirmed that .223 will fit?

[aka_mythos 35]

Here some more photos:

 

 

 

One more:

[IndyArms 10,186]

pretty sweet looking regardless of WHAT it is for...

 

[thebuns1 4,323]

Wanna sell it?

[thebuns1 4,323]

J/K. Looks interesting none the less.

[aka_mythos 35]

I don't wanna say what I'd do... I'm just curious to find out what it is.

 

Looking online a bit more I've seen some early Sig rifle magazines that are rock and lock with a similar angled floor plate... But not really conclusive.

[nlacy 692]

I work at a company that manufactures ordnance and fuzing for the military, no small arms, but my impression was this was just something some old timer left at his desk after he retired.

 

Y'all hiring?

[Matthew Hopkins 1,065]

whatever it is, a lot of engineering work went into making that follower

[Voltia 375]

Looks to me like a rifle adaptation for a sub gun, like a sten type action.

[MT Predator 2,294]

It looks like a shorter cartridge in the side by side with the AR mag. If you compare an AK x39mm mag with an AR mag, you'll see what I am talking about. Damn near looks like a x39mm mag of some type. Have you tried to rock and lock it into an AK? Stout looking mag though looking at the thickness on that one pic. The feed lips look AK-ish.

Edited November 16, 2012 by MT Predator

[lbsrdi 1,078]

I agree with MTP. Dosen't look like .223 to me either. One thing I see is that it has been used quite a bit.

[Deadeye 325]

I like the concept of extruded mag

[BpS12 512]

.17 HMR?

[VR762Shooter 838]

Maybe an attempt at an extruded straight mag for the AK74? Try fitting some 5.45 rounds in it if you have any

[Paulry 50]

Maybe for a Mini 14/30?? after-market?? You don't show enough of the top back, front or both sides. Maybe the lifter spring is due to the fact it is straight????

Edited November 17, 2012 by Fluid Power

[aka_mythos 35]

It looks like a shorter cartridge in the side by side with the AR mag. If you compare an AK x39mm mag with an AR mag, you'll see what I am talking about. Damn near looks like a x39mm mag of some type. Have you tried to rock and lock it into an AK? Stout looking mag though looking at the thickness on that one pic. The feed lips look AK-ish.

I see what you mean. It certainly looks like this mag is meant for a just slightly shorter cartridge.

[Matthew Hopkins 1,065]

It certainly looks like this mag is meant for a just slightly shorter cartridge.

 

you can't go by that, the 74 mag has a much shorter bullet guide for the cartridge. the key is the length of the mag itself to accommodate the round

Edited November 16, 2012 by Matthew Hopkins

[aka_mythos 35]

I just meant that on closer look, a 5.56 nato might be just too long too fit in this because of how the length space seems a bit tighter. i guess i should have been more specific.