MENA

Silah Report Joins Armament Research Services!

by

Silah Report is excited to announce that we have joined the Armament Research Services (ARES)
team! ARES is a specialist technical intelligence consultancy, offering expertise and analysis to a
range of government and non-government entities in the arms and munitions field.

What this means for our readers is more content—with writing and editing of a higher
standard—supported by the experience and technical expertise of ARES personnel. Together, ARES
and Silah Report will continue to produce important research into topics that are often
misunderstood or overlooked. We remain committed to supporting emerging researchers,
historians, and analysts by providing an accessible platform, with mentorship and guidance.

Silah Report will continue to operate independently and non-commercially, and will continue providing
timely, first-look research into arms and munitions in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia
regions. ARES is providing core funding support and will help in raising the profile of Silah Report’s
research. All commercial engagement will be handled through ARES.

As a reader-funded outlet, providing freely and publicly available articles, we are still relying on our
readers to support our work and to help us to expand. We are deeply appreciative of the support we
have received through Patreon so far, and we encourage those of you who find our work valuable to
consider supporting us.

Miles Vining                          Hrachya Hayrapetyan

Co-founder                             Co-founder

 

Media/press inquiries: media@armamentresearch.com

You can find ARES’ corresponding announcement here.

Erbil’s Gunsmith: Wasta Bakhtiar-Azizz

by

While in Erbil, we sat down with Wasta Bakhtiar-Azizz (وە ستا بە ختیار), one of the best-known and  most highly respected gunsmiths in the Kurdistan region. Within Erbil and beyond, there are a number of gunsmiths that either work on small arms in need of maintenance and repair or perform services such as re-bluing, gold plating, modifications, and a number of other odd jobs that Kurdish gun owners request. Bakhtiar has worked in this community since he was a child, continuing the family’s business of his father, who was himself a renowned gunsmith. His son joins him in running the shop, and his brother owns a separate gun shop on the eastern side of Erbil. In addition to offering commercial gunsmithing services, he also volunteers his services to the Asyeish and Peshmerga, helping in maintaining and repairing their small arms.

Read more

V8 Silah Report Podcast: sniper ‘battalions’ in Idlib, G36 rifles & more!

by

In episode 8 of the Silah Report Podcast, Miles and Adham are joined by guests AnalystMick, Daniel, and AbuZaben to discuss their recent findings in the MENA region. We cover sniper ‘battalions’ in Idlib, interesting SALW being offered for sale in Yemen, German vs. Saudi G36 rifles, and more! We also answer questions provided by our Patreon backers at the $5 or more per month level. Want to ask us a question related to small arms and light weapons in the Middle East, North Africa, or Central Asia regions? Become a backer today!

https://soundcloud.com/silah-report/v8-silah-report-podcast-sniper-battalions-in-idlib-g36s-and-more

 

Read more

V7: Malhama Tactical’s Abu Rofiq’s Death, Jordanian 1911, Iranian Haydar, Syrian Rebels’ Clone of HS.50’s Clone and More!

by

In the seventh podcast of Silah Report, with the presence of Vlad, Adham, Miles, Hrachya, Abuzaben, Ataka, AnalystMick, Daniel and MENA, we discussed a number of topics that would be just silly trying to cover all of them in the title!

Read more

Colloquial Names and Prices on the Yemeni Gun Market

by

In this article a Yemeni writer looks at some of the general trends in Kalashnikov-patterned rifles within Yemen, going over serval models and some of the intricacies that exist within them. Note that although prices are given in US Dollars, the majority of the market uses Yemeni or Saudi Rials for payment.

Before 2015 the majority of our AKs were of Russians, Polish, Hungarian, Chinese, and Bulgarian origin. But in 2015 the Houthis invaded the coastal city of Aden and at that time an Arab coalition was created to support the southern resistance. When this fighting began

From the Arab alliance, the Saudis and United Arab Emirates forces supplied the southern resistance with airdrops.

Read more

Egyptian Maadi and Polish Kbk-AKMS Arabic Rear Sight Markings

by

This article was recently spurred to fruition by the submission of a reader’s photograph taken in the city of Ar-Raqqa, Syria. The subject of the photo features a prominent rear sight base of an AKMS-patterned rifle with Eastern Arabic numerical markings. Important to our discussion is the origin of this particular rifle because one would be led to the conclusion that from the photograph alone, it might be an Egyptian 7.62x39mm Maadi rifle from the rear sight markings. However, our source on the ground informs us (albeit without photographs) that the rifle is in fact of Polish origin with the “Circle 11” marked trunnion. This post will explore the difference in rear markings between Polish export KbK AKM-patterned rifles and Egyptian Maadi rifles, in addition to looking at some of the U.S. reproductions. The importance of comparing these rear sights is that these three varieties are some of the only major categories of Kalashnikov-patterned rifles with rear sight designations in Eastern Arabic numerals. Unlike Western Arabic numerical font stampings, the fluid curvature found in Arabic-based fonts across the world allows for a greater degree of variety and thus gives us easier clues for identification based on rear sight range designations.

Read more

Further into the “Egyptian Thompson”

by

Earlier on Silah Report we wrote about the so-called ‘Egyptian Thompson” from what little information that was gathered by Mr. Lawerence on his website devoted to submachine gun designs. Recently Mr. Lawerence contacted us regarding some updates on the “Egyptian Thompson” and has kindly provided us with some details on its fit, finish, and handling characteristics. In a separate note, while on a recent foray in Egypt, Silah Report staff learned about the possible presence of some “Egyptian Thompsons” still in the country. We’ll be looking more into them as time goes on.

Read more

Muscat & Oman Contract Hi-Power Pistols Seen in Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction Catalog

by
Muscat & Oman Contract Hi-Power Pistols Seen in Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction Catalog (1)

While browsing the recently published catalog of the upcoming September 2019 Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction, I came across two FN/Browning Hi-Power pistols (lots # 513 and #1679) manufactured by Fabrique Nationale for the Sultanate of Muscat & Oman. These pistols are identified by the coat of arms of this former state engraved on the right side of the slide.

Read more