In addition to its regular ASh-78 (fixed stock) and ASh-82 (under folder) Kalashnikovs, Albania also made a model specifically for launching rifle grenades and it has some odd features. The rear sight block was redesigned to have a hinge permanently attached the top cover, and the rear sight was moved back onto that top cover. The top cover rear attachment was also strengthened. At the front, a gas cutoff was added as well as a grenade spigot. In another unusual twist, the barrel was lengthened to be as long as the spigot itself. I suppose this makes sense ballistically, but it is unusual to see.
Albanian ASh-78 video: https://youtu.be/doA3TmxUZ2Q
Many thanks to the Royal Armouries for allowing me to film and disassemble this very rare piece! The NFC collection there – perhaps the best military small arms collection in Western Europe – is available by appointment to researchers:
https://royalarmouries.org/research/national-firearms-centre/
You can browse the various Armouries collections online here:
https://royalarmouries.org/collection/
The best firearms reference books: https://www.headstamppublishing.com
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