Iraq, Syria and Yemen: February Market Highlights

Welcome to another installment of our series examining gun market trends across the MENA region. With this series, we are focusing on Iraq, Idlib, Afrin and Yemen at the moment. The time-frame of the data in this article runs from 8th February to 21st February 2020. The prices are average and are rounded up or down (for example 126=150, 124=100). If you missed our last installment you can find it here.

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

Modified PPSh

A very interesting Soviet PPSh submachine gun for sale in Iraq appeared on 13th February, which appears to have been modified to use MP40 magazines and was probably also rechambered to 9×19mm from the original 7.62×25mm and the stock was cut-down. The reason for the conversion could be the lower price and broader availability of 9×19mm in Iraq.

**Fig. 1.1.** PPSh for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

**Fig. 1.2.** PPSh for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Custom FN High Power

A FN High Power 9×19mm self-loading pistol with locally cut engravings and a custom grip for sale in Iraq for $1300, on 11th February. Pistols are already seen as status symbols in the Middle East and North Africa, by adding engraving it tends to increases the status but the price is lower than the usual price, which is usually around $1900, for this FN High Power. Perhaps an anomaly or an indication of changing trends.

**Fig. 1.4.** Custom FN High Power for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Late Production AK-74

A very rare and late production 1991 Izhevsk-produced AK-74 5.45×39mm self-loading rifle with black furniture, for sale with eight magazines in Idlib on 20th February 20th. This very very late AK-74 which was built during the 1991 transition to the AK-74M. The last production of the AK-74 is believed to have ended during first half a year of 1991. The AK-74 was originally supplied by the Russians to the Syrian Army, probably to the 4th Division ‘Tiger Forces’.

**Fig. 1.6.** Very late AK-74 for sale in Idlib, note the Izhevsk factory marking. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Sig Sauer P230

The SIG Sauer P230 is a self-loading pistol very rarely seen, it has not surfaced in Yemen before. This SIG Sauer P230 has a an elongated threaded barrel and was seen for sale in Yemen on 8th February. Currently, the origin of the pistol is unknown, most of the small arms in Yemen come via Saudi-Arabia to Yemen which is a possible origin of this pistol.

**Fig. 1.8.** Sig Sauer P230 for sale in Yemen. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Custom Lee-Enfield

There have previously been Lee-Enfield pattern bolt-action rifles with custom SVD style stocks but these examples are built off a Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1 and have a PSL-inspired stock. This rifle appeared for sale in Iraq for $750. The barrel has been replaced with what appears to be a 7.62×54mmR PKM/T barrel. The rechambering reduces the price of ammunition significantly. It should also be noted that the stock is either for a left-handed shooter or the builder who made an error, the cheekpiece should be on the left side and not the right. This is likely a hunting rifle and not for military use but of course, it could be put to military uses. The scope appears to have a light attached to the tube.

**Fig. 1.10.** Custom Lee-Enfield for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

North Korean Tokarev

A North Korean Type 68 pistol appeared for sale in Baghdad on 14th February, for $1300. They are rarely seen for sale in Iraq. There have been several documented in Iraq and Syria (in opposition-held Idlib).

**Fig. 1.11.** North Korean Type 68 for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

**Fig. 1.12.** North Korean Type 68 for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Converted Blank Fire Handgun

This is one of the many blank firing pistols converted to live-fire ammunition. It was posted for sale in Idlib on 11th February, for $65. The conversions are dangerous to shoot and usually only last one or two magazines – this is represented by the lower prices they command. Locals often mistake them for a Glock or are simply in search of a cheap pistol as a status symbol.

**Fig. 1.13.** Converted blank pistol for sale in Idlib. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Kuwaiti FN FAL

A rarely seen Kuwaiti contract FN FAL for sale in Iraq, on 15th February. The rifle has a Type III receiver which is unusual with most Kuwaiti contract FALs having Type II receivers.

**Fig. 1.15.** Kuwaiti FN FAL for sale in Iraq, note the faint remains of the Kuwaiti crest on the magazine housing. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Figure. 1.15a. Examples of a similar Kuwaiti Army FN FAL contract rifle, serial number 0522, matched to pistol grip. Note the “KA” prefix for “Kuwait Army”. (Source: Silah Report Reference Database)

Figure. 1.15b. Right side receiver of Fig. 1.15a, note the crossed rifle and wreath crest. (Source: Silah Report Reference Database)

Modified Arsenal AR-F

A heavily modified Bulgarian Arsenal AR-F for sale in Iraq, on 14th February. The barrel has been cut down and the stock replaced with an AKMS-type stock. The gas block and a Chinese Type-56 front sight have been combined together which looks rather nicely done. The cut-down barrel was also threaded and a muzzle device added. This is one of the rare pieces in Iraq which appears professionally done.

**Fig. 1.16.** Modified Bulgarian AR-F for sale in Iraq. (Source: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

**Fig. 1.17.** Modified Bulgarian AR-F for sale in Iraq. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

A British Pattern 1914

A rather badly beaten P14 bolt-action rifle appeared for sale in Iraq in February. The rifle is missing its middle barrel band and wooden furniture covering the top of the barrel. It is unclear if it is still chambered in .303. The rifle retains a stock ID disc which appears to have an Iraqi jeem (the triangular mark) suggesting Iraqi military ownership. British stock discs were retained by a wooden plug, when this plug (retained by a flat head screw) was added is unknown.

**Fig. 1.18.** P14 for sale in Iraq. (ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

**Fig. 1.19.** The rifle’s disk with Iraqi jeem-triangle property mark and the numbers ‘ ٢٠١٥’ or 2015 and ‘٢٥٩’ or 259 next to it, now for sale in Iraq. (Sources: ARES CONMAT via AnalystMick)

Average Small Arms Prices in Iraq 8th Feb to 21st Feb 2020:

Table 1.1. Average Small Arms Prices in Iraq 8th Feb to 21st Feb, 2020

Table 1.2. Percentage share of the weapons for sale in Iraq

Average Small Arms Prices in Idlib/Afrin 8th Feb to 21st Feb 2020:

Table 1.3. Average Small Arms Prices in Idlib/Afrin 8th Feb to 21th Feb, 2020

Table 1.4. Percentage share of the weapons for sale in Idlib and Afrin

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