In this article, we will examine the documented Egyptian usage of the ‘Riyadh’ rifle, which was originally known as the Czechoslovakian-made 7.62×54mmR chambered ZG-51 91/30 bolt-action rifle, a Mosin-Nagant variant. We will examine appearances of the Riyadh in both archival photographs and footage as well as Egyptian popular media such as films.
The rifle appears to have been used by Egyptian soldiers during the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War (October War); we do not have any evidence whatsoever that Egypt had used the Riyad prior to the War of Attrition. The rifle was obviously extremely uncommon and quite recognisable amongst the sea of SKS self-loading carbines, Port Saids submachine guns, RPD light ma hine guns, and variants of the AK self-loading rifle during that period, which makes it easily stand out when spotted. Also, materials on the role of Egyptian marksmen/snipers as well as photos and/or videos are extremely limited but that is something we at Silah Report are trying to scour all possible leads to find more.
Only two films are currently known to feature the rifle and there is more than 40 years between them. The first movie that came out in 1974 and another small budget amateur movie in 2016. Other than the following materials presented in this article, there are no sightings (that we know of) for the Riyad being used by the Egyptian military/security or in other fields such as movie production.
The Conflicts
The following photographs and stills from contemporary footage or state-sponsored reenactments are the sum total of likely appearances of the Riyadh which we are currently aware of.
Fig. 1.1. A snapshot taken from footage showing Egyptian troops who had several days earlier stormed the Bar-Lev line. Notice the soldier in the center carrying what appears to match the profile of a Riyadh rifle. (Source: AP video via YouTube)
Fig. 1.2. Another image of the troops in the previous snapshot, the rifle is again present (Source: Ahram Newspaper)
Fig.1.3. An extremely rare photo of an Egyptian marksman/sniper with a bolt action sniper rifle that is very possibly a Riyadh standing in his assigned position during the War of Attrition. A canvas cover, possibly an empty sandbag is being used to break up the rifle’s profile. (Source: G73 Historians Archive)
Fig.1.4. Another extremely rare photo of an Egyptian marksman/sniper with a bolt action sniper rifle that appears to be Riyadh standing in his assigned position during the War of Attrition. (Source: G73 Historians Archive)
Fig.1.5. Egyptian troops on the back of an OT-62 Topaz in a re-enactment scene taken in 1974. Notice the soldier in the back carrying a bolt action rifle that is possibly a Riyadh. (Source: Egypt’s MOD via YouTube)
Fig.1.6-1.7. An Egyptian soldier crossing the Bar-Lev line during the re-enactment recorded in 1974. The soldier with the bolt action rifle that is very possibly a Riyadh appears for an incredibly brief period before the camera moves past him. (Source: Egypt’s MOD via YouTube)
Fig.1.8. An Egyptian officer practicing his marksmanship with what appears to be a Riyadh. Unfortunately due to the black and white nature of the photo, we cannot tell if he is firing Egyptian-made 7.62×54mmR cartridges which had brass cases or steel-cased Russian ammunition. The date of the photograph is unknown (Source: yom-kippur-1973.info)
The Movies
The Riyadh appears to have been featured in the 1974 Egyptian war drama movie “Abna’a Assamt” (Sons of Silence). Its appearance gives us probably one of the best images showing a Riyadh in Egyptian hands. The optic seen with the rifle is very likely a Czechoslovakian-made ‘Yal’, these were made to be pair with the Czechoslovakian Vz54, the inspiration and/or basis of the Riyadh. More on this in our in depth article on the Riyadh here.
It is also is worth noting that initially when this picture was shared with other firearm researchers, some of them considered it a prop rifle, which was an erroneous conclusion. Further research has shown the the rifle was issued to Egyptian troops and was either manufactured or assembled at Egypt’s state-run arms factory – Factory 54.
Fig.2.1. A snapshot is taken from the 1974 Egyptian war drama movie “Abna’a Assamt” (Sons of Silence). This is probably one of the best images showing a Riyadh in Egyptian hands.
The second movie to feature the Riyadh came in 2016. The Egyptian war movie ‘Lion of Sinai’, while it suffers from a terrible storyline and humble budget the primary redeeming feature is its inclusion of the Riyadh. The film appears to have sadly been a total flop, even for an audience that is attracted to war movies. The movie was such a failure that it is almost impossible to find it online, thus leaving us with only the video for its theme song.
Fig. 2.2. A Snapshot taken from the official song video for the 2016 Egyptian war movie Lion of Sinai. The only positive feature in the entire movie was the scene of the Riyadh. Also note the Yal scope.
Fig. 2.3. Another snapshot taken from the official song video for the Egyptian war movie Lion of Sinai
Sources:
‘المجموعه 73 مؤرخين’, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/group73historians/page1> (If the link is not working, then check <https://group73historians.com/>)
The October 1973 War, <http://yom-kippur-1973.info/>
Abna2 El Samt Movie | فيلم ابناء الصمت, <www.youtube.com/watch?v=F67Fervhqzw>
‘SYND 13-10-73 EGYPTIAN TROOPS AND ARMOUR CROSSING THE SUEZ CANAL’, AP Archive, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-q5byFSeBU>
برومو (8) حرب أكتوبر 2020, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCKl601e52s>
If you enjoy our work here at Silah Report please consider supporting us on Patreon!