Thoughts on AYP Magazines
The AYP magazines were reported in the late 90s and were being sold through Northridge International.
Northridge imported a large shipment of US-origin parts from Belgium, which included 30 round magazines of different markings including the AYP.
In that shipment, there were also 30 round magazines which we know were commercially made by Tony Scherer.
This has led some to believe that the AYP magazines were made by Fabrique National because they are located in Belgium. It seems that no consideration was given to the fact that there were USGI parts as well as the commercially made magazines by Scherer that originated in the USA.
In 2005 CCNL 332 Bill Ricca and J.B. Powers revisited the 30-round magazines. As to the AYP magazine, it was repeated that some thought them to be of Belgian origin, and others speculated that they might be USGI.
In September 2007, an unknown author penned a list of 30-round magazines for the CMP and claimed they are FN manufactured or Belgian/Holland without any proof offered to substantiate this. The author goes on to say they match USGI quality whereas Bill Ricca in the 2005 article states they are somewhere between the "M2" commercial magazine and USGI made.
Forum member pchanu, who is in France, states that the AYP mags are the easiest to obtain. He also states that they also come across "J" or "M2" marked magazines.
A nonmember Keith Tucker had purchased some linked 7.62 AP ammo from the CMP back in 2014 and reports of some links marked AYP. This may be a clue!
I believe these to be M1 links for the Browning M1919.
Other markings found were MB/Z, P/6/V, PRI, RYT, DOA, ABG, S/6/O-L, SO/7.62 AND 6/L, M.1/B.P., J, FS, 7.62/MB/Z, M1/B.P. (The slash meaning over).
There were limited reports of headstamps on the linked ammo from 1944 to 1954, but it is not known what headstamp was on the AYP links.
Fabrique National did make a version of the M1919 which was called the FN30, but this does not necessarily mean that they made the AYP links. I have in previous posts pointed out that it seems FN marked everything they made. I have even collected pictures of pistol magazines with the elaborate FN logo to just the letters FN on the items. So before any conclusions are jumped to, here is a picture of a link marked FN.
Hopefully, someone may know something about the links and possibly lead us to the manufacturer. I have checked WW2 contracts and with over 35 factories producing the M1 link, and even more markings used, none match the link markings above making me believe the AYP link would have been post WW2, Most likely Korean War, Possibly later. The next question is if the AYP magazines were the same manufacturer and if they were made under some form of a government contract, or were they made commercially and somehow made their way to Europe?
The anatomy of the AYP magazine:
A: has angled bolster. B: Square cut, all USGI have angled cut C: No notch, all USGI have notch D: Wrinkled follower not as smooth as USGI F: No drain hole, USGI 30-rounder has drain hole.
Other observation, look at the picture at the top of the post, notice the horizontal striations. It is not all observed, but common enough to mention.
It has been reported that there are reproduction AYP magazines. In looking at marking it seems that the font can appear thick or thin. This may be due to the amount of pressure or the die wearing out. Please check your AYP magazines to see if consistent with the above and report any possible fakes.
Further reading: CCNLs 265, 332
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