Gun Market Trends in Iraq, Syria’s Idlib and Afrin and Yemen: mid January Browning M1919A4 and Iranian MP5

Welcome to the second instalment of our series examining gun market trends across the MENA region. At the moment we are focusing on Iraq, Idlib and Afrin and Yemen. The time-frame of the data in this article runs from 13th January to 24th January 2020. The prices are average and are rounded up or down (for example 126=150, 124=100). If you missed our first instalment you can find it here.

Here are some of the interesting firearms for sale on the black market during this period:

First up we have a very rare Spanish Star Model Z-84 9×19mm submachine gun for sale in Iraq. This Z-84 likely originated from Iran, whose SOF (Army and IRGC SOF) have been pictured equipped with them. Some sources claim they also produced them indigenously but no further proof was provided by these sources.

**Figure 1.1.** Star Model Z-84 for sale in Iraq. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

A rare 1943 Border Cities Ind. Ltd.-produced Browning M1919A4 (with the serial number 2W1962) was seen for sale in Iraq. Following World War Two Browning M1919A4, .30-06 calibre medium machine guns, were exported to several countries including to the UK, who in turn aided the Iraqi Army with weapons, it is hypothesised that is how this M1919A4 reached Iraq originally sometime between the late 1940s and late 1950s.

**Figure 1.2.** Browning M1919A4 for sale in Iraq (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

**Figure 1.3.** A 1943 dated Browning M1919A4 for sale in Iraq (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Next we have a very rare Ruger Mark 1, chambered in .22 LR, in a bad condition for sale in Idlib province, Syria. This pistol was could have been in the country pre-2011, in the hands of civilians or was smuggled into Syria later, during the conflict.

**Figure 1.4.** Ruger Mark 1 for sale in Idlib province, Syria. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Something quite rarely seen on the market, M24 SWS bolt-action for sale in Iraq for $3,500. While these are not rare in Iraq they are not often for sale. This rifle was supplied to the Iraqi army and Iraqi Special Operations Forces (source) by the United States, from where it leaked onto to the market. Note the stock and scope wrapping with various camouflage pattern tapes

**Figure 1.5**. M24 SWS for sale in Iraq. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

A 7.62×25mm PPSh-41 submachine gun was seen for sale in Idlib province, Syria. This is one of a number of World War Two weapons which some are still occassionally seen in service with all sides of the conflict in Syria. In the 1940s and early 1950s East Germany, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia reportedly supplied PPSh-41s to Syria.

**Figure 1.6.** PPSh-41 for sale in Idlib province, Syria. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

A very rare Iranian made MP5A3 9×19mm submachine gun, known as the the “Tondar TK9” or the “MPT-9”, for sale in Iraq. It is a copy of the late MP5A3, this is a very uncommon submachine gun in the MENA region the earlier version of the MP5A3 is more commonly seen in the region.

**Figure 1.7.** Iranian made “Tondar TK9” or “MPT-9” for sale in Iraq. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

A chromed Heckler & Koch P7M13 9×19mm chambered self-loading pistol for sale in Yemen. It was made in 1992 but still has “W-Germany” (meaning “West Germany”) markings even after German reunification in 1990. It is currently not know how it reached the region, although P7M13 are reportedly in use with Saudi Arabian military and/or security forces this may have been a civilian pistol.

**Figure 1.8.** HK P7M13 for sale in Yemen. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

**Figure 1.9.** HK P7M13 for sale in Yemen. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Finally, we have an uncommon Iranian-made “Nakhjir”, an SVD-63 clone self-loading sniper rifle chambered in 7.62 × 54Rmm, for sale in Idlib province, Syria, for $1,000. They are supplied by Iran to Iranian-backed militias involved in the Syrian conflict, it was likely it was captured by opposition forces and later sold onto the local market.