Original Item: Only One Available. This is a 1960s Cold War / Vietnam War Era U.S. military issue AK-47 training replica rifle. The military calls these rifles Rubber Ducks. This is full size, non-firing replica made of hard rubber, molded from an original. The side of the "receiver" is marked as being an M22 (China Variant).

The replica is entirely non-firing and was manufactured as a solid training aid. It has no functional firearm action and cannot chamber or discharge ammunition.

These were used for training by the military so they would not ruin a real rifle and as a safety precaution to prevent accidental discharges. It measures 34 inches long, and is in good overall condition with finish loss and some minor material loss. It is marked TASC FLW on the side for Training Audiovisual Support Center, Fort Leonard Wood. There are some condition issues. The metal rod under the front sight has lost its rubber covering and is now bare metal, with some oxidation.

The side of the receiver is stamped M22 NO 07819. We are unsure if this is a real serial number or just a general number stamped on all examples.

The replica is constructed primarily from dense hard rubber molded around an internal reinforcing structure. Its full size form allowed trainees to become familiar with the appearance, handling, and basic characteristics of an opposing force weapon without placing an operational rifle into the training environment.

These solid training rifles were commonly called “Rubber Ducks” by U.S. military personnel. They could be used during classroom instruction, field exercises, physical training, opposing force scenarios, weapons recognition courses, and situations where the weight and dimensions of a rifle were useful but a functional firearm was unnecessary or undesirable.

The replica remains in good overall condition with finish loss, handling wear, and minor areas of material loss. These signs of use are consistent with an instructional object that was repeatedly issued, carried, and handled during military training.

The internal metal reinforcing rod is exposed beneath the front sight where its rubber covering has been lost. The bare metal exhibits some oxidation. This area should be handled carefully to avoid additional loss of the surrounding rubber or further disturbance of the exposed rod.

The Chinese Type 56 assault rifle was a domestically manufactured version of the Soviet Kalashnikov design and was one of the principal AK pattern rifles encountered by American forces during the Vietnam War. Its widespread use by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces made recognition and familiarization training important for U.S. personnel deploying to Southeast Asia.

Training replicas such as this example allowed instructors to demonstrate the weapon’s external configuration and help soldiers distinguish it from other Soviet, Chinese, and Eastern Bloc small arms. They also provided a safe substitute for captured weapons during exercises and instructional programs.

The M22 identification, TASC FLW marking, and documented Fort Leonard Wood association preserve the military training context of this example. Its finish wear, minor material loss, and exposed oxidized reinforcing rod reflect sustained institutional use rather than civilian manufacture. It would be particularly relevant to a collection focused on Fort Leonard Wood, Vietnam War training, military instructional aids, or the Chinese M22 rifle.