We here at Silah Report have discussed the Iraqi Tariq a number of times previously. In this video for TFBtv Miles gives us a breakdown of Iraq’s national handgun and its Italian roots.
The 9×19mm Tariq is a licensed copy of the Italian Beretta Model 1951 self-loading pistol, a forebearer of the Beretta 92. The pistols we at Silah report have had the chance to examine have typically had a mix of Iraqi and Italian components with the pressure bearing parts such as the barrel being marked with Italian proof marks while the slide and frame are typically made in Iraq.
Recently, Miles wrote about a lesser known variant of the Tariq, a commemorative model gifted by the Saddam regime. Miles explained that:
“Conversations with local sources familiar with this variant reveal that this particular handgun is well-known throughout Iraq, and is even simply referred to as a “Gift” hand gun or “Gift Tariq”. Furthermore, it is widely known that these handguns were presented to certain families and widows of Iraqi soldiers who were killed during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88).”
In 2018, Hrachya shared another variant of the Tariq, based on the smaller Beretta M70. This gold plated pistol appeared at auction in the US and sold for $20,700.
