Journal Articles (peer-reviewed) by N.R. Jenzen-Jones
Journal of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association, 2024
In 1887, Emir Abdur Rahman Khan established the Kabul Steam Workshops with British aid, notably f... more In 1887, Emir Abdur Rahman Khan established the Kabul Steam Workshops with British aid, notably from Sir Salter Pyne. His national industrialisation efforts included the founding of the Kabul Arsenal, significantly improved Afghanistan’s domestic arms production—particularly by introducing the manufacture of modern, Martini-type rifles. Initially reliant on artisanal handwork, the Arsenal transitioned to mechanised production by 1894 under the oversight of British experts like John Stewart and A. Cameron, permitting a more rapid modernisation of Afghanistan’s army during the years following the Second Anglo–Afghan War. Between 1894 and 1924, approximately 33,000 Martini-type rifles were produced, including Martini–Henry, Martini–Metford, and Martini–Enfield variants. This article presents a summary guide to the ready identification of the seven major Types of Martini rifles produced in Afghanistan, distinguished by format, crest, nose cap, and front sight.
Available via: https://hbsa-uk.org/knowledge-and-research/journal-summaries/
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 2024
In parts of southern and western Asia, as elsewhere, the cannon once served as one of the most dr... more In parts of southern and western Asia, as elsewhere, the cannon once served as one of the most dramatic tools in the inventories of state executioners. The practice of ‘blowing from a gun’, by which the condemned was bound to the front of a cannon and quite literally blown to pieces, was most infamously employed in British India and the Princely States, and the vast majority of English-language scholarship focuses on these regions. However, blowing from guns was commonplace in several other contemporary states, and the British use of the practice has rarely been situated in this context. The tactic was considered especially useful in Persia and Afghanistan, where weak governance, rebellion, and rampant banditry all threatened the legitimacy of the nascent state in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This article presents a history of the practice of execution by cannon in southern and western Asia, positioning it within the existing literature on public executions in the context of military and civilian justice. In doing so, the article seeks to situate the British use of the tactic within a broader regional practice, arguing that, whilst the British—following the Mughal tradition—used execution by cannon primarily in maintaining military discipline, states such as Persia and Afghanistan instead employed the practice largely in the civilian context. This article also provides a brief technical review of the practice, drawing upon numerous primary sources to examine execution by cannon within the Mughal empire, British India, Persia, and Afghanistan.
Arms & Armour, 2024
This short research note serves as an update to the authors’ 2020 article examining the history o... more This short research note serves as an update to the authors’ 2020 article examining the history of Martini-type rifles in Afghanistan between 1878 and 1925 (Arms & Armour, Vol. 17 No. 1). Ongoing research has permitted the revision of production estimates for Martini-type rifles produced by the Kabul Arsenal, and new estimates are presented herein. The earlier typology is also slightly modified for ease of use.
Journal of the Arms & Armour Society, Mar 2024
When Emir Abdur Rahman Khan ascended to the throne of Afghanistan in mid-1880, he inherited a cou... more When Emir Abdur Rahman Khan ascended to the throne of Afghanistan in mid-1880, he inherited a country with few breechloading rifles and no meaningful capacity to manufacture such arms. Previous efforts at producing modern rifles—most notably, at Sher Ali Khan’s Bala Hissar Arsenal—had either ended in failure or, during the Second Anglo–Afghan War, seizure and destruction. The country’s industrial base remained rudimentary and undeveloped. Accordingly, Abdur Rahman decided to construct an entirely new, modern workshop complex to effect the production of Martini-type rifles using mechanised methods. This new facility, the Kabul Workshops, and its subsidiary unit, the Kabul Arsenal, represented a dramatic leap in the technological development of Afghanistan. Beginning in 1894 and continuing, at least in part, for the next three decades, the Arsenal produced thousands of Martini-type rifles, many of which survive today in the hands of collectors. In this article, the authors outline the seven major Types of Martini-type rifles produced by the Kabul Workshops during this period, with a particular focus on their production numbers and diagnostic identification characteristics. The authors also provide a general overview of the methodology used to arrive at the estimated production numbers, as well as including a brief description of the other industrial outputs of the Kabul Workshops, such as light weapons, ammunition, and coinage.
Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Dec 2023
This article examines the little-known LWL–Olin M79 Shotshell Adaptor for the M79 light grenade l... more This article examines the little-known LWL–Olin M79 Shotshell Adaptor for the M79 light grenade launcher, which originates with the U.S. Army’s Limited Warfare Laboratory and was produced by Winchester under a contract between the LWL and Olin Corporation. Developed in the context of jungle warfare and close-range combat encounters during the Vietnam War, the M79 Shotshell Adaptor was one of several anti-personnel developments trialled with the M79. Ultimately, it was not adopted by the U.S. military and only a limited number of prototype models were fabricated. This article draws on a review of primary and secondary source material, as well as the author’s inspection of an extant example of the adaptor, today held in the collection of the Cody Firearms Museum.
Arms & Armour, 2024
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2024.2294643
Tobacco quickly found favou... more https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2024.2294643
Tobacco quickly found favour in Japan after its introduction in the late sixteenth century, leading to the development of the kiseru—a distinctive Japanese tobacco pipe. Building upon a long-standing tradition of concealing weapons within a variety of mundane objects, tobacco pipes and smokers’ accessories were soon modified to incorporate hidden spikes, blades, and even firearms. This short article, believed to be the first detailed assessment in the English language, explores the fascinating world of these covert self-defence tools. Through the examination of select artefacts, historical sources, and popular culture, this study provides a concise overview of these objects, shedding light on their design and purpose, and situating them within the broader Japanese arms and armour tradition.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2024.2294643
Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, 2023
This article presents a chronological narrative of the standard-issue service rifles used by the ... more This article presents a chronological narrative of the standard-issue service rifles used by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) following the Vietnam War, with a particular focus on the Steyr AUG and its successor, the Lewis Machine & Tool MARS-L. By drawing, in part, upon primary source documents obtained through Official Information Act requests and research in Archives New Zealand, the authors provide a nuanced account of the selection criteria and service history of these rifles, as well as the challenges they faced on introduction. The article explores the historical rifles used by the NZDF, from colonial times to the Vietnam War, before discussing the adoption of the Steyr AUG and its long service life (including limited upgrades). Finally, it discusses the introduction of the MARS-L as a replacement for the AUG, considering the decision-making and post-introduction issues. In addition to presenting a detailed and chronological narrative in its own right, this article is intended to serve as a valuable resource for future research through the authors’ efforts to ensure key source materials are now readily available.
Read more: https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax72497
Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Jul 31, 2022
This article provides a short summary of the development history, technical characteristics, and ... more This article provides a short summary of the development history, technical characteristics, and operational parameters of the Polish AWGŁ-3 teargas launcher and its ammunition. Although developed in the 1970s and deployed in Poland and other European countries in recent years, very little information is available on this weapon in the English language. With reference to a wide range of Polish-language sources, including original technical and operational manuals, the author elucidates the development history and operating principles of the AWGŁ-3. A brief review of employment principles and use history is also made, with reference to the Communist-era Polish paramilitary forces for whom the weapon was originally developed.
Arms & Armour, 2022
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2022.2126100
In 1918, a Marshal’s sword (Ge... more https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2022.2126100
In 1918, a Marshal’s sword (Gensuitō) was introduced into the Japanese honours system, to be presented to specially recognised admirals and generals of the Imperial Japanese military who had been awarded the honorific title of Gensui. Later that year, a very fine example of such a sword was presented to King George V at Buckingham Palace, on behalf of Emperor Taishō. These swords were made to the highest standards by master swordsmiths, with no more than 24 produced before the abolishment of the rank of Gensui in 1945. Very little has been written about Gensuitō in Japanese, much less in English. The King George V Gensuitō, today held in the Royal Collection, is recognised for its aesthetic value, but has been the subject of only limited scholarship. Drawing on primary sources held in the Royal Collection, Royal Archives, and National Archives of Japan, as well as secondary sources published in limited-circulation journals that have not been digitised, the author presents herein an overview of this important Gensuitō—believed to be the sole example held in a collection outside of Japan.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2022.2126100
Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, 2021
https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax75765
Following the experience of the Vietnam War, and i... more https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax75765
Following the experience of the Vietnam War, and in keeping with NATO military trends of the time, Australia began the search for a rifle chambered for a small- calibre, high-velocity cartridge in the 1980s. In 1988, Australia’s bicentenary year, the Austrian Steyr AUG was adopted as the F88 ‘Austeyr’. Manufactured domestically in Lithgow, New South Wales, the F88 went on receive a series of modifications under three distinct upgrade programmes, before being reconceived as the Enhanced F88 (EF88) from 2009 onwards. Now produced by Thales Australia, this latest iteration of the Austrian bullpup continues to serve the ADF around the world. In tracing the development history of what will soon be Australia’s longest-serving family of domestically produced rifles, the author outlines the challenges of maintaining a robust national manufacturing capability for small arms, and highlights solutions undertaken by Defence, industry, and other stakeholders.
https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax75765
Academia Letters, 2022
The German Stielhandgranate series are amongst the most iconic hand grenades ever introduced. 1 T... more The German Stielhandgranate series are amongst the most iconic hand grenades ever introduced. 1 These, along with egg-shaped designs of the Eihandgranate type, feature thin sheet-metal bodies, and were designed to injure and kill primarily by means of their blast effects. This made them most suitable for offensive operations, such as clearing houses, although fragmentation sleeves were nominally available for situations where greater lethality was required. 2 Whilst these two types were the most common, German forces used a range of other designs during the Second World War, including some novel 'last-ditch' types produced largely from non-metallic materials, such as concrete and glass. Shortages of strategic materials and a desire to simplify production processes resulted in many German weapons being modified for ease and speed of manufacturing, and supplemented-or even replacedby expedient designs. Hand grenades were no exception. Steel, in particular, was relatively scarce, and increasingly being rationed within the German industrial system. 3 As the War continued, these limitations became more pronounced. A variety of expedient hand grenade designs, many primarily conducted from non-metallic materials, were thus introduced from 1 Often referred to in English as the 'stick grenade' or 'potato masher' type (see, for example: Military Intelligence Service, German Infantry Weapons, Special Series No. 14 (Washington, D.C.: War Department, 25 May 1943), p. 40). 2 In this configuration the munitions equated to what is sometimes called a 'defensive' grenade (as opposed to the 'offensive' type), generating notable fragmentation. See, for example: K.
The RUSI Journal, 2021
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03071847.2021.2016208
This article examines the dev... more https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03071847.2021.2016208
This article examines the development of precision guided munitions (PGMs) from the earliest proto-PGMs of the late 18th century to the miniaturised, semi-autonomous forms in present service. N.R. Jenzen-Jones and Jack Shanley trace the history of these revolutionary weapons and examine how their battlefield roles and real-world use cases have evolved over time.
Journal of the Ordnance Society, 2021
In 1869, Sher Ali Khan, emir of Afghanistan, embarked upon a military modernisation programme of ... more In 1869, Sher Ali Khan, emir of Afghanistan, embarked upon a military modernisation programme of significant scale and ambition. In an attempt to maintain autonomy in the face of British and Russian great power competition in the region, Sher Ali oversaw the transformation of Afghanistan’s artillery production capabilities from artisanal to industrial. As a result, the Afghan military transitioned from a reliance on handmade brass cannon to state-of-the-art breech-loading iron guns. Despite this substantial modernisation effort, however, Sher Ali’s forces were unable to stand against the British Empire. In less than a decade, the Afghan Army had amassed a considerable modern arsenal—only to lose nearly all of it in a single engagement.
Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society, Oct 2021
https://orientalnumismaticsociety.org/ons_journal
The first industrial mint in Afghanistan was... more https://orientalnumismaticsociety.org/ons_journal
The first industrial mint in Afghanistan was established in Kabul c. 1889, during the reign of Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. Prior to this, hand-hammered coinage was produced at government mints at Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. This article describes the establishment of the Kabul Mint within the broader Kārkhānah-i bukhārī (Kabul Workshops), examining its management, machinery, issues, and fate.
Honourable Mention, Ashoka Prize 2021
https://www.orientalnumismaticsociety.org/about/ashoka_prize/
Arms & Armour, 2021
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2021.1882752
This article examines the ‘Alp... more https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2021.1882752
This article examines the ‘Alphabet’ series of prototype rifles which were developed at Winchester between 1912 and 1934, ultimately culminating in the Models 54 and 70. Drawing upon original research conducted in the Winchester archive at the Cody Firearms Museum and through physical examination of extant ‘Alphabet’ rifles, the authors have been able to more fully map the lineage of the influential Model 70 and its predecessors and, in particular, clearly articulate the connection this American icon shares with the famous Mauser rifles of 1871—1898.
Journal of the Arms & Armour Society, 2021
Writing in The Journal of the Ordnance Society in 1999, Robert Morgan described an organ gun from... more Writing in The Journal of the Ordnance Society in 1999, Robert Morgan described an organ gun from Ukraine, known as the "Cossack Gun". The authors reassess this appellation with a critical eye, examining the available records of Ukrainian museums, as well as period sources describing the presence of similar weapons in the arsenals of Zhytomyr, Kamianka, Bar, and—in particular—Lviv. The authors conclude that, on the basis of available evidence, it is most likely the so-called "Cossack Gun" actually originates in the arsenals of Lviv. Also included are the key physical characteristics of the gun and clear photographs to aid in further study.
Insecta Mundi, Nov 27, 2020
Full article: https://centerforsystematicentomology.org/insectamundi/0824_Kurczewski_etal_2020.pd... more Full article: https://centerforsystematicentomology.org/insectamundi/0824_Kurczewski_etal_2020.pdf
Four online photographs from Oaxaca, Mexico taken by N. R. Jenzen-Jones and posted on inaturalist.org reveal Selenops sp., probably S. mexicanus Keyserling (Arachnida: Araneae: Selenopidae), as a new host spider species, genus and family for the common and widespread American spider wasp Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Say) (rusty spider wasp). The wasp transported the immobilized spider up an exterior stucco wall of a house, dorsal side upward, walking backwards for 3 m to her nest in a gap between the wooden planking and stucco wall beneath the roof, while grasping the femur of its right pedipalp with her mandibles.
Arms & Armour, Feb 24, 2020
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2020.1726605
The Martini-Henry and other M... more https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2020.1726605
The Martini-Henry and other Martini-action rifles have played an important part in the cultural, martial, and commercial histories of Afghanistan. The Martini-Henry was the first purpose-designed breech-loading rifle adopted by the British military. Over the course of its lifespan, the Martini-Henry and its successors saw service in all corners of the British Empire, including Afghanistan and the neighbouring Northwest Frontier Province of British India. Afghan forces took quickly to the weapon. Copies of the Martini were produced in Afghanistan around the time of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), imported from Great Britain in subsequent years, and finally industrially produced at the Kabul Arsenal from 1894. These rifles helped Afghanistan's emirs to put down rebellion and maintain control, before being turned back on the British during the Third Anglo-Afghan War of 1919. In recent years industrially-produced examples originating from Great Britain, Belgium, Austria, and from the Kabul Arsenal in Afghanistan-as well as craft-produced examples from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan-have proven popular mementos. Many of these are now held in private collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and elsewhere, often brought home by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and others who deployed to Afghanistan from 2001 onwards. Despite the popularity of Martini-type rifles purchased in Afghanistan, little has been written about the local history of these weapons. In this article, the authors aim to: present an overview of the history of the Martini-type rifle in Afghanistan; clearly articulate the models of Martini-type rifles produced in Afghanistan; explain how to identify where, when, and by whom these were made; and support their conclusions with analysis based upon a sizeable original dataset.
Journal of the Ordnance Society, Dec 2019
https://ordnancesociety.org.uk/publications/
Since its inception in 1918, the Finnish Defence Fo... more https://ordnancesociety.org.uk/publications/
Since its inception in 1918, the Finnish Defence Forces has fielded an array of mortar systems—including 47, 50, 81, 82, and 120 mm calibre examples—with many of the munitions for these systems manufactured domestically. While the SA/FDF has not adopted a 160 mm system, Finland nevertheless developed such a system, and later exported the design. The resulting mortar was known as the 160 Krh/58C, and a unique extended-range projectile, designated the 160 Ntkr series, was also developed. One limitation on mortars in general is their relatively short maximum firing range. To overcome this problem, Hans Otto Donner took a novel approach to mortar projectile design. The concept was for a spear-like projectile with outstanding ballistic qualities. The arrow-shaped projectile was specifically designed to increase range without adding additional weight to the gun, overcoming one of the inherent limitations in mortar design. The 160 Ntkr series of projectiles were ultimately not adopted, but highlight the advanced state of mortar and projectile design in Finland during the post-Second World War period, and featured design elements that were ultimately incorporated into later, more conventional designs.
Books & Book Contributions by N.R. Jenzen-Jones
Helios House Press, 2023
Created in concert with the Covert Cards playing card decks, the Weapons of the Cold War passport... more Created in concert with the Covert Cards playing card decks, the Weapons of the Cold War passport handbooks contain titbits on a range of fascinating Cold War weapons, as well as instructions for a few card games to add to your repertoire. The Weapons of the Warsaw Pact Handbook contains images and information for all of the Warsaw Pact weapons featured in the Covert Cards decks, along with instructions for two card games, packed into a booklet styled after an East German diplomatic passport.
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Journal Articles (peer-reviewed) by N.R. Jenzen-Jones
Available via: https://hbsa-uk.org/knowledge-and-research/journal-summaries/
Tobacco quickly found favour in Japan after its introduction in the late sixteenth century, leading to the development of the kiseru—a distinctive Japanese tobacco pipe. Building upon a long-standing tradition of concealing weapons within a variety of mundane objects, tobacco pipes and smokers’ accessories were soon modified to incorporate hidden spikes, blades, and even firearms. This short article, believed to be the first detailed assessment in the English language, explores the fascinating world of these covert self-defence tools. Through the examination of select artefacts, historical sources, and popular culture, this study provides a concise overview of these objects, shedding light on their design and purpose, and situating them within the broader Japanese arms and armour tradition.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2024.2294643
Read more: https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax72497
In 1918, a Marshal’s sword (Gensuitō) was introduced into the Japanese honours system, to be presented to specially recognised admirals and generals of the Imperial Japanese military who had been awarded the honorific title of Gensui. Later that year, a very fine example of such a sword was presented to King George V at Buckingham Palace, on behalf of Emperor Taishō. These swords were made to the highest standards by master swordsmiths, with no more than 24 produced before the abolishment of the rank of Gensui in 1945. Very little has been written about Gensuitō in Japanese, much less in English. The King George V Gensuitō, today held in the Royal Collection, is recognised for its aesthetic value, but has been the subject of only limited scholarship. Drawing on primary sources held in the Royal Collection, Royal Archives, and National Archives of Japan, as well as secondary sources published in limited-circulation journals that have not been digitised, the author presents herein an overview of this important Gensuitō—believed to be the sole example held in a collection outside of Japan.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2022.2126100
Following the experience of the Vietnam War, and in keeping with NATO military trends of the time, Australia began the search for a rifle chambered for a small- calibre, high-velocity cartridge in the 1980s. In 1988, Australia’s bicentenary year, the Austrian Steyr AUG was adopted as the F88 ‘Austeyr’. Manufactured domestically in Lithgow, New South Wales, the F88 went on receive a series of modifications under three distinct upgrade programmes, before being reconceived as the Enhanced F88 (EF88) from 2009 onwards. Now produced by Thales Australia, this latest iteration of the Austrian bullpup continues to serve the ADF around the world. In tracing the development history of what will soon be Australia’s longest-serving family of domestically produced rifles, the author outlines the challenges of maintaining a robust national manufacturing capability for small arms, and highlights solutions undertaken by Defence, industry, and other stakeholders.
https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax75765
This article examines the development of precision guided munitions (PGMs) from the earliest proto-PGMs of the late 18th century to the miniaturised, semi-autonomous forms in present service. N.R. Jenzen-Jones and Jack Shanley trace the history of these revolutionary weapons and examine how their battlefield roles and real-world use cases have evolved over time.
The first industrial mint in Afghanistan was established in Kabul c. 1889, during the reign of Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. Prior to this, hand-hammered coinage was produced at government mints at Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. This article describes the establishment of the Kabul Mint within the broader Kārkhānah-i bukhārī (Kabul Workshops), examining its management, machinery, issues, and fate.
Honourable Mention, Ashoka Prize 2021
https://www.orientalnumismaticsociety.org/about/ashoka_prize/
This article examines the ‘Alphabet’ series of prototype rifles which were developed at Winchester between 1912 and 1934, ultimately culminating in the Models 54 and 70. Drawing upon original research conducted in the Winchester archive at the Cody Firearms Museum and through physical examination of extant ‘Alphabet’ rifles, the authors have been able to more fully map the lineage of the influential Model 70 and its predecessors and, in particular, clearly articulate the connection this American icon shares with the famous Mauser rifles of 1871—1898.
Four online photographs from Oaxaca, Mexico taken by N. R. Jenzen-Jones and posted on inaturalist.org reveal Selenops sp., probably S. mexicanus Keyserling (Arachnida: Araneae: Selenopidae), as a new host spider species, genus and family for the common and widespread American spider wasp Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Say) (rusty spider wasp). The wasp transported the immobilized spider up an exterior stucco wall of a house, dorsal side upward, walking backwards for 3 m to her nest in a gap between the wooden planking and stucco wall beneath the roof, while grasping the femur of its right pedipalp with her mandibles.
The Martini-Henry and other Martini-action rifles have played an important part in the cultural, martial, and commercial histories of Afghanistan. The Martini-Henry was the first purpose-designed breech-loading rifle adopted by the British military. Over the course of its lifespan, the Martini-Henry and its successors saw service in all corners of the British Empire, including Afghanistan and the neighbouring Northwest Frontier Province of British India. Afghan forces took quickly to the weapon. Copies of the Martini were produced in Afghanistan around the time of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), imported from Great Britain in subsequent years, and finally industrially produced at the Kabul Arsenal from 1894. These rifles helped Afghanistan's emirs to put down rebellion and maintain control, before being turned back on the British during the Third Anglo-Afghan War of 1919. In recent years industrially-produced examples originating from Great Britain, Belgium, Austria, and from the Kabul Arsenal in Afghanistan-as well as craft-produced examples from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan-have proven popular mementos. Many of these are now held in private collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and elsewhere, often brought home by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and others who deployed to Afghanistan from 2001 onwards. Despite the popularity of Martini-type rifles purchased in Afghanistan, little has been written about the local history of these weapons. In this article, the authors aim to: present an overview of the history of the Martini-type rifle in Afghanistan; clearly articulate the models of Martini-type rifles produced in Afghanistan; explain how to identify where, when, and by whom these were made; and support their conclusions with analysis based upon a sizeable original dataset.
Since its inception in 1918, the Finnish Defence Forces has fielded an array of mortar systems—including 47, 50, 81, 82, and 120 mm calibre examples—with many of the munitions for these systems manufactured domestically. While the SA/FDF has not adopted a 160 mm system, Finland nevertheless developed such a system, and later exported the design. The resulting mortar was known as the 160 Krh/58C, and a unique extended-range projectile, designated the 160 Ntkr series, was also developed. One limitation on mortars in general is their relatively short maximum firing range. To overcome this problem, Hans Otto Donner took a novel approach to mortar projectile design. The concept was for a spear-like projectile with outstanding ballistic qualities. The arrow-shaped projectile was specifically designed to increase range without adding additional weight to the gun, overcoming one of the inherent limitations in mortar design. The 160 Ntkr series of projectiles were ultimately not adopted, but highlight the advanced state of mortar and projectile design in Finland during the post-Second World War period, and featured design elements that were ultimately incorporated into later, more conventional designs.
Books & Book Contributions by N.R. Jenzen-Jones
Available via: https://hbsa-uk.org/knowledge-and-research/journal-summaries/
Tobacco quickly found favour in Japan after its introduction in the late sixteenth century, leading to the development of the kiseru—a distinctive Japanese tobacco pipe. Building upon a long-standing tradition of concealing weapons within a variety of mundane objects, tobacco pipes and smokers’ accessories were soon modified to incorporate hidden spikes, blades, and even firearms. This short article, believed to be the first detailed assessment in the English language, explores the fascinating world of these covert self-defence tools. Through the examination of select artefacts, historical sources, and popular culture, this study provides a concise overview of these objects, shedding light on their design and purpose, and situating them within the broader Japanese arms and armour tradition.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17416124.2024.2294643
Read more: https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax72497
In 1918, a Marshal’s sword (Gensuitō) was introduced into the Japanese honours system, to be presented to specially recognised admirals and generals of the Imperial Japanese military who had been awarded the honorific title of Gensui. Later that year, a very fine example of such a sword was presented to King George V at Buckingham Palace, on behalf of Emperor Taishō. These swords were made to the highest standards by master swordsmiths, with no more than 24 produced before the abolishment of the rank of Gensui in 1945. Very little has been written about Gensuitō in Japanese, much less in English. The King George V Gensuitō, today held in the Royal Collection, is recognised for its aesthetic value, but has been the subject of only limited scholarship. Drawing on primary sources held in the Royal Collection, Royal Archives, and National Archives of Japan, as well as secondary sources published in limited-circulation journals that have not been digitised, the author presents herein an overview of this important Gensuitō—believed to be the sole example held in a collection outside of Japan.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17416124.2022.2126100
Following the experience of the Vietnam War, and in keeping with NATO military trends of the time, Australia began the search for a rifle chambered for a small- calibre, high-velocity cartridge in the 1980s. In 1988, Australia’s bicentenary year, the Austrian Steyr AUG was adopted as the F88 ‘Austeyr’. Manufactured domestically in Lithgow, New South Wales, the F88 went on receive a series of modifications under three distinct upgrade programmes, before being reconceived as the Enhanced F88 (EF88) from 2009 onwards. Now produced by Thales Australia, this latest iteration of the Austrian bullpup continues to serve the ADF around the world. In tracing the development history of what will soon be Australia’s longest-serving family of domestically produced rifles, the author outlines the challenges of maintaining a robust national manufacturing capability for small arms, and highlights solutions undertaken by Defence, industry, and other stakeholders.
https://www.armaxjournal.org/doi/armax75765
This article examines the development of precision guided munitions (PGMs) from the earliest proto-PGMs of the late 18th century to the miniaturised, semi-autonomous forms in present service. N.R. Jenzen-Jones and Jack Shanley trace the history of these revolutionary weapons and examine how their battlefield roles and real-world use cases have evolved over time.
The first industrial mint in Afghanistan was established in Kabul c. 1889, during the reign of Emir Abdur Rahman Khan. Prior to this, hand-hammered coinage was produced at government mints at Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat. This article describes the establishment of the Kabul Mint within the broader Kārkhānah-i bukhārī (Kabul Workshops), examining its management, machinery, issues, and fate.
Honourable Mention, Ashoka Prize 2021
https://www.orientalnumismaticsociety.org/about/ashoka_prize/
This article examines the ‘Alphabet’ series of prototype rifles which were developed at Winchester between 1912 and 1934, ultimately culminating in the Models 54 and 70. Drawing upon original research conducted in the Winchester archive at the Cody Firearms Museum and through physical examination of extant ‘Alphabet’ rifles, the authors have been able to more fully map the lineage of the influential Model 70 and its predecessors and, in particular, clearly articulate the connection this American icon shares with the famous Mauser rifles of 1871—1898.
Four online photographs from Oaxaca, Mexico taken by N. R. Jenzen-Jones and posted on inaturalist.org reveal Selenops sp., probably S. mexicanus Keyserling (Arachnida: Araneae: Selenopidae), as a new host spider species, genus and family for the common and widespread American spider wasp Tachypompilus ferrugineus (Say) (rusty spider wasp). The wasp transported the immobilized spider up an exterior stucco wall of a house, dorsal side upward, walking backwards for 3 m to her nest in a gap between the wooden planking and stucco wall beneath the roof, while grasping the femur of its right pedipalp with her mandibles.
The Martini-Henry and other Martini-action rifles have played an important part in the cultural, martial, and commercial histories of Afghanistan. The Martini-Henry was the first purpose-designed breech-loading rifle adopted by the British military. Over the course of its lifespan, the Martini-Henry and its successors saw service in all corners of the British Empire, including Afghanistan and the neighbouring Northwest Frontier Province of British India. Afghan forces took quickly to the weapon. Copies of the Martini were produced in Afghanistan around the time of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), imported from Great Britain in subsequent years, and finally industrially produced at the Kabul Arsenal from 1894. These rifles helped Afghanistan's emirs to put down rebellion and maintain control, before being turned back on the British during the Third Anglo-Afghan War of 1919. In recent years industrially-produced examples originating from Great Britain, Belgium, Austria, and from the Kabul Arsenal in Afghanistan-as well as craft-produced examples from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan-have proven popular mementos. Many of these are now held in private collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and elsewhere, often brought home by International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops and others who deployed to Afghanistan from 2001 onwards. Despite the popularity of Martini-type rifles purchased in Afghanistan, little has been written about the local history of these weapons. In this article, the authors aim to: present an overview of the history of the Martini-type rifle in Afghanistan; clearly articulate the models of Martini-type rifles produced in Afghanistan; explain how to identify where, when, and by whom these were made; and support their conclusions with analysis based upon a sizeable original dataset.
Since its inception in 1918, the Finnish Defence Forces has fielded an array of mortar systems—including 47, 50, 81, 82, and 120 mm calibre examples—with many of the munitions for these systems manufactured domestically. While the SA/FDF has not adopted a 160 mm system, Finland nevertheless developed such a system, and later exported the design. The resulting mortar was known as the 160 Krh/58C, and a unique extended-range projectile, designated the 160 Ntkr series, was also developed. One limitation on mortars in general is their relatively short maximum firing range. To overcome this problem, Hans Otto Donner took a novel approach to mortar projectile design. The concept was for a spear-like projectile with outstanding ballistic qualities. The arrow-shaped projectile was specifically designed to increase range without adding additional weight to the gun, overcoming one of the inherent limitations in mortar design. The 160 Ntkr series of projectiles were ultimately not adopted, but highlight the advanced state of mortar and projectile design in Finland during the post-Second World War period, and featured design elements that were ultimately incorporated into later, more conventional designs.
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With a foreword from Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, United Kingdom.
Full catalogue available from: www.helios.house
The ARES Glossary provides a reference tool for key technical terms used in ARES publications from July 2022 onwards, although the included terms are also likely to be encountered by readers of arms and munitions literature more broadly. Although originally developed to support the ARES Arms & Munitions Classification System (ARCS), the ARES Glossary will be updated more frequently than the ARCS document, with the master version living on the ARES website. It is intended as a ‘living document’, and subject to ongoing updates and additions.
The identification of small arms and light weapons by make and model has long been the subject of specialist literature, but the definition and classification of these items has received only sporadic—and often limited or incomplete—attention. At the time of writing, there is no universally accepted definition of a ‘small arm’ or of a ‘light weapon’. Perhaps surprisingly, there has been relatively minimal effort on the part of international organisations to define these high-level terms more precisely, or to define the types of weapons which comprise these broad classes. International organisations have instead relied upon definitions developed in a broad range of different contexts—for different purposes—with the result that there is often inconsistency between terminology used by different groups. Military manuals, law enforcement outputs, academic publications, manufacturers’ documentation, national legislation, and multilateral instruments often define SALW in substantively different ways.
The primary purpose of this release of the ARES Arms & Munitions Classification System is to present a set of universally applicable definitions for SALW which will convey the maximum amount of useful and practical information to the observer. These definitions are supported by a classification schema which organises the definitions hierarchically, into several categories of SALW, and by an extensive glossary of technical terminology. It is hoped that the use of technically precise and consistent definitions and descriptors can mitigate problems with communication, allowing for improved collaboration between correspondents who might be of varied backgrounds, working in different sectors, or located across national boundaries.
This version has been laid-out independently based on the author's original text. For the published version, see: https://www.routledge.com/Firearms-Global-Perspectives-on-Consequences-Crime-and-Control/Poole-Sneddon/p/book/9780367331177
Tracing the story of the AK-74 – as with so many other firearms we encounter today – means looking back to the Second World War. In the decades following the close of the War, Western powers examined the intermediate calibers seen in the German StG44 and the later Soviet AK. Ultimately, several influential nations were determined to move to a caliber smaller than either the existing 7.62 × 51 mm NATO or Soviet 7.62 × 39 mm ammunition. In the United States, the outcome of the development process took the form of the .223 Remington (later 5.56 × 45 mm) cartridge and its attendant host rifle, the Armalite AR-15, which would be adopted by the U.S. military in 1964 as the M16.
This Second Volume of Vickers Guide: Kalashnikov covers the developmental history of the AK-74 – the Soviet Union’s answer to the U.S. M16 service rifle. Traditional Soviet and Warsaw Pact AK-74 variants chambered for the 5.45 × 39 mm cartridge are highlighted, as well as subsequent variants, adaptations, and modifications from around the world. The book also charts the course of the 5.56 mm cartridge in the AK-74 platform, examining the efforts of nations such as Bulgaria, Burma, the Czech Republic, East Germany, Finland, Israel, Poland, and South Africa to convert the quintessentially Soviet AK platform to a NATO-standard caliber. In all, over seventy firearms are shown in incredible detail to give enthusiasts of all levels a new appreciation for this extraordinary family of rifles.
In addendums and appendices, the report offers additional information on the submunitions used in Syria and their function. One addendum documents the practice of repurposing submunitions, where these unexploded ordnance items have been repurposed into hand grenades, IEDs, or other improvised munitions. A second addendum includes a differential identification of common incendiary submunitions and white phosphorous munitions.
English title: 'Small Arms Production Outside State Control: Contemporary, Emergent & Legacy Technologies'
Release information: https://www.irsem.fr/institut/actualites/etude-de-l-irsem-n-102-2023.html
The ARES Glossary provides a reference tool for key technical terms used in ARES publications from July 2022 onwards, although the included terms are also likely to be encountered by readers of arms and munitions literature more broadly. Although originally developed to support the ARES Arms & Munitions Classification System (ARCS), the ARES Glossary will be updated more frequently than the ARCS document, with the master version living on the ARES website. It is intended as a ‘living document’, and subject to ongoing updates and additions.
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Drawing on a range of primary sources, confidential interviews with industry and military personnel, secondary literature, and the perspectives of several prominent ordnance experts, Special Report 4 establishes a methodology for assessing weapons which carry sensor-fuzed submunitions. It then applies the nine-step test described in that methodology to five of the most common weapons which employ sensor-fuzed submunitions that remain in inventory or use today. Special Report 4 finds that only two of the five selected munitions are banned under the CCM, and that the factors which determined CCW compliance are not always directly connected to the stated principles of minimising harm to civilians and civilian objects. The report concludes by considering sometimes overlooked hazards of sensor-fuzed submunitions, as well as the potential for unintended consequences which may arise from an outright ban of these weapons.
The report found that small-calibre ammunition manufactured in at least 15 modern states was circulating via online markets, and identifies the United States and Venezuela as the homes of the majority of manufacturers represented in the dataset. Pistol-calibre cartridges—in high demand for self-defence and sports shooting—were the most common types traded. The report also presents important reference information regarding the production of small-calibre ammunition by Venezuelan state-owned arms company CAVIM, much of it published in English for the first time.
http://armamentresearch.com/ares-releases-research-report-10-black-grey/
The 5.7 × 28 mm cartridge, originally designed and developed by Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FN Herstal) of Belgium for their P90 sub-machine gun and the later Five-seveN self-loading pistol, has been the subject of much controversy—particularly in the United States, where it has been referred to as a “cop-killer” gun. Much of this is mythology is bound up in its ability to fire armour-piercing ammunition, the sale of which is restricted to law enforcement and military customers. Whilst written in the U.S. context, the findings of Research Report No. 9 speak more broadly to the importance of precisely characterising the capabilities of firearms throughout the world. This is the first exhaustive study of the “cop-killer” moniker as it pertains to the armour-piercing nature of the Five-seveN handgun and its 5.7 mm ammunition, tracing a long-standing mythology that has endured for more than fifteen years despite important evidence which does not support the underlying claims.
It is highly likely that the FGC-9 is simply the first of a new wave of cheap, nearly-entirely-homemade 3D-printable firearm designs which solve material limitations by incorporating readily available metal components and unregulated firearms parts. This new breed of design offers adopters a cheap and effective firearm that is very difficult to trace, and may have the potential to rival or outstrip previous trends in the acquisition of illegal firearms modified from replica and deactivated firearms—themselves subject to increasing legislation. There are very limited control options for restricting access to the materials or design files used in craft-producing such weapons, and progressively more affordable machines and tools—as well as ongoing refinement of techniques—are likely to make their continued development and acquisition increasingly commonplace. As technical hurdles are raidly overcome, rifle-calibre firearms requiring strong locking actions—previously the preserve of factories—may soon be produced in the same low-tech manner as the FGC-9.
Improvised and craft-produced firearms remain an important source of firepower for a wide range of actors, including tribal groups, poachers, criminals, insurgent groups, and even some states and quasi-state groups. In various locations, these weapons account for most of the firearms used in crime; in others, their production is institutionalized, providing essential income for local gunsmiths.
Criminals outside of active conflict zones, especially in developing states and territories, appear to hold the highest concentrations of craft-produced small arms. In several countries, such firearms account for a sizable proportion of weapons seized in law enforcement operations.
The vast majority of improvised and craft-produced weapons cannot be easily traced, although certain forensic and investigative techniques show promise in closing this gap.
From a virtually non-existent domestic market, the revolution and its aftermath paved the way for a large illicit arms trade in these newly available weapons to emerge. Like their counterparts in many nations, some of the players in this new market now use online resources to hawk their wares. Online sales via social media platforms are one of the tools currently being used for this purpose.
A new Working Paper from the Small Arms Survey’s Security Assessment in North Africa (SANA) project provides an in-depth analysis of the trade in small arms and light weapons in the online marketplace. The Working Paper ties together interviews with marketplace participants with a detailed analysis of a dataset derived from long-term monitoring of some of the closed social media-based groups listing small arms and light weapons for sale. It explores the types of weapons offered and their likely routes into the Libyan online markets. It concludes with a policy-relevant analysis of the current state of Libya’s online markets and discusses the caveats and utility of such online monitoring for supplementing field-based research.
‘Web Trafficking’ also includes a lengthy annexe providing information and analysis about some of the more noteworthy weapons offered for sale on the online platforms. The annexe focuses on the more recently manufactured weapons. In its second section, it looks at some of the older, legacy weapons still circulating in the country. The Annexe offers a window in the types of weapons in circulation in Libya and the larger region that will be interesting to policy makers, experts, and others interested in the illicit proliferation of weapons in North Africa.
Key findings include:
Small arms and light weapons manufactured in 26 modern states were offered for sale or trade on the illicit online market in Libya.
Most of the small arms and light weapons offered for sale are attributable to pre-embargo imports by the Qaddafi regime, although post-embargo and post-revolution weapons are also listed.
Small arms and light weapons produced from 1992 to the present day and documented as circulating in the illicit sphere in Libya consist of materiel manufactured in 12 states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, Serbia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Handguns are disproportionately represented in the dataset compared to the estimated percentage of the total small arms holdings in Libya that they comprise. This is primarily due to the high demand for concealable firearms in Libyan cities.
Substantial numbers of blank-firing handguns—primarily produced in Turkey—were documented in Libya. While these handguns are often bought and sold openly, some are being converted into lethal-purpose firearms by both end users and merchants.
Significant quantities of legacy firearms—both obsolete and obsolescent types—remain in circulation in the Libyan black market. Many of these weapons, especially handguns, remain highly sought after.
Most trades are apparently conducted with sporting, hobby, and self-defence uses or commercial benefit in mind, but some participants involved in the illicit online arms trade have strong ties to Libyan militia groups.
A new Working Paper by N.R. Jenzen-Jones, released today by the Small Arms Survey, traces the history and development of the modern self-loading service rifle. It describes their development from early and unreliable designs to the first iterations of modern self-loading rifles in Second World War, and later rifle types with a prominence that endures to this day. The Paper follows the development of current self-loading rifles and discusses so-called ‘modular’ designs which have affected what a self-loading service rifle is and is meant to do.
Using a variety of data sources, the Working Paper attempts to estimate the numbers of self-loading service rifles that have been produced to date, including the types of weapons and countries of production. The Paper notes that, despite the continuous development and widespread adoption of self-loading service rifles, just four ‘families’ of rifles represent nearly 60 per cent of all weapons produced: FAL types (about 5.5 million), G3 types (about 8 million), AR-10 and AR-15 types (about 13 million), and AK-type rifles (about 76 million; some 40 per cent of all self-loading service rifles produced to date).
As the Working Paper notes, it is hard to reliably estimate how many of these weapons are in circulation. The trend towards modular design, the modernization of existing rifles, as well as the increasing popularity of these rifle types in the civilian market all contribute to this difficulty. Understanding how best to classify and count these weapons, including self-loading rifles, is critical in countering the illicit proliferation of self-loading rifles.
States, the United Nations and civil society organisations continue to raise concerns about the humanitarian impact caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). This issue is currently being examined from political, legal, socio-economic and humanitarian perspectives. The GICHD has undertaken research to provide a technical perspective on the destructive effects of selected explosive weapons to inform the international debate.
The research project attempts to reduce an observed knowledge gap regarding EWIPA. It seeks to provide clarity concerning the immediate physical effects and terminology used when discussing explosive weapons. The project is guided by a group of experts dealing with weapons-related research and practitioners who address the implications of explosive weapons in humanitarian, policy, advocacy and legal fields.
Explosive weapons are generally designed specifically to kill and injure human beings and to destroy or otherwise incapacitate vehicles and infrastructure. Whilst they carry out similar functions when used in populated areas as when they are employed elsewhere, the impact of their use may differ. Indeed, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas has resulted in significant civilian deaths and injuries. In addition to the human cost, our case studies confirm substantial damage to essential infrastructure, homes and businesses.
The research focuses on the inherent technical characteristics of the explosive weapon systems studied and their use in populated areas, examining both the methods and means of warfare. It draws on five technical studies on explosive weapon systems, each of which assesses a common type of weapon system present in contemporary conflict zones. The weaponry covered was chosen on the basis of its ubiquity, notoriety, widespread stockpiling and use in populated areas. The five weapon systems reviewed are 122 mm multi-barrel rocket launchers, 81-120 mm mortars, 152-155 mm artillery guns, 115-125 mm tank guns and the Mk 82 aircraft bomb. The research’s findings focus on the effects of the explosive munitions; inherent accuracy and precision of the five weapon systems employing them; and on their characteristic use including methods to mitigate the impact on civilians.
The report addresses a range of conventional artillery weapons firing explosive munitions, the use of which is not specifically prohibited or otherwise limited by international law (contrary to weapons such as landmines and cluster munitions, which do have specific restrictions imposed by international law). The weapon systems reviewed in this report are frequently encountered on contemporary battlefields, and commonly held by state armed forces and non-state armed groups.
Section 1 of the report provides a brief developmental history of indirect-fire weapon systems, and gives generic information for the broad categories of indirect-fire artillery systems – guns, mortars, and rockets.
Section 2 discusses the primary considerations affecting the employment of indirect-fire systems, including their role, operational considerations and doctrine.
Section 3 of the report examines the accuracy and precision of indirect-fire systems, and the factors that affect this.
Section 4 of the report examines the effects of explosive munitions.
Chambering the Next Round: Emergent Small-calibre Cartridge Technologies, a new Working Paper by the Small Arms Survey, explores the significant developments in cartridge technology over the past decade. In part motivated by the experiences of recent conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, the development of emergent ammunition technologies has typically sought to fulfil two critical end-user requirements, namely:
to increase the range and lethality of standard-issue individual weapons; and
to reduce the overall combat load of infantry personnel.
Many of the emergent technologies discussed in this report are, or will be, compatible with one another, offering advanced synergies for the ammunition of tomorrow. The advent of new technologies that are applicable to small-calibre ammunition presents several policy implications and may contribute to proliferation concerns. This report considers the likely and current customers for these technologies, and examines how a potential surplus of current-standard ammunition created by the adoption of such technologies may contribute to proliferation concerns. Finally, an assessment of how these technologies will affect current and future marking, record-keeping, and tracing procedures, and what law enforcement challenges are posed by their adoption, will be of value to stakeholders.
The report provides an overview of the types of explosive weapons that may be prone to wide-area effects, as well as the factors and variables that determine their effects.
The focus of the report is on conventional explosive weapons the use of which is not specifically prohibited or otherwise limited by international law (contrary to weapons such as landmines and cluster munitions, which do have specific restrictions imposed by international law). The weapon systems reviewed in this report are frequently encountered on contemporary battlefields, or else commonly held by States.
The report was commissioned from Armament Research Services (ARES) by the ICRC, as part of the ICRC's work to foster better understanding of the effects of explosive weapons when used in populated areas. The purpose of the report is to provide background information on the technical characteristics of explosive weapons and other factors relevant to their effects. It is meant to be a general reference document, and it reflects the analysis and views of the authors and not necessarily those of the ICRC.
Part 1 of the report examines the design and effects of explosive munitions. It also addresses concepts such as accuracy, fuzing, the targeting process, collateral damage estimations, battle damage assessments, and more.
Part 2 of the report provides generic information for the broad categories of weapon systems which deliver explosive payloads – mortars, rocket artillery, unguided aerial bombs, and other types. For each weapon category identified, Part 2 provides a description of the technical features relevant to the effects of the weapon. In particular, it includes, where available, estimated blast and fragmentation radius for munition types, estimated circular error probable figures, and other measureable effects.
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ARES has accessed substantial quantities of Ethiopian-made 7.92 × 57 mm, .30-06, and 7.62 × 51 mm cartridges from this period, which are becoming more accessible in global civilian markets, particularly in the United States. We have assessed the physical characteristics and markings of both the cartridges and their packaging, below, as well as conducting limited velocity testing.
In both munition types, the designs which have emerged share several broad characteristics. These may point to the tactical requirements and practical constraints driving the Syrian government’s chemical weapons program. Both designs are relatively unsophisticated, simplifying their production and use. The munitions are made with basic tooling to very low tolerances, and with no extraneous components. Chlorine gas is the chemical agent of choice, likely for logistical reasons. As a chemical agent, chlorine is easy to procure or produce industrially, has a variety of plausible legitimate uses (e.g. water purification), and chlorine production and use forms part of the industrial backbone of Syrian infrastructure.
Both designs have limited battlefield value. This can be attributed to the typically mild effects of chlorine, as well as the weapons’ lack of accuracy. Nonetheless, the true value of these weapons to the Assad regime lie in their ability to instil terror. It is also noteworthy that two separate branches of the Syrian armed forces – the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Arab Air Force – have both delivered chlorine attacks, further supporting the well-established pattern of chemical weapons usage by the Syrian government.
to and between private individuals in Venezuela took effect in 2012, codified by written legislation promulgated in 2013. From June 1, 2012, only agents of the state were permitted to sell firearms and ammunition. This has driven a new and thriving segment within Venezuela’s black market arms trade, which has proliferated primarily through social media and secure messaging platforms.
and knowledge of Ethiopian cartridges is largely restricted to specialist circles. This piece is intended as a general introduction to Ethiopian ammunition production, with a deeper look at three calibers produced during the post-WWII period under the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie. ARES accessed substantial quantities of Ethiopian-made 7.92 x 57 mm, .30-06, and 7.62 x 51 mm cartridges from this period, which are becoming more accessible in global civilian markets, particularly in the United States. We assessed the physical characteristics and markings of both the cartridges and their packaging.
“Traditional supporting fires—delivered by heavier weapon systems such as artillery and air-delivered munitions—were often restricted under rules of engagement or operational practices. Meanwhile, opposition forces have increasingly operated from within civilian communities, and military leadership and popular opinion have exhibited a lower tolerance for civilian casualties.”
Produced by the Iranian state-controlled Defence Industries Organization’s (DIO) Individual Combat Industries Group (ICIG), the AM50 is a single-shot, bolt-action, anti-materiel rifle chambered for 12.7 x 99 mm (.50 BMG). Further technical information about the AM50 is shown in the table below, taken from a brochure displayed at a past International Police, Safety and Security Equipment Exhibition in Iran.
The CAL is a self-loading rifle chambered for the commonly encountered 5.56 x 45 mm cartridge. While not especially significant in terms of capability, the presence of the CAL rifle in a conflict zone is noteworthy to those interested in arms proliferation. Although the CAL’s predecessor, the FAL, is commonplace in many conflict and post-conflict regions, and particularly within the Middle East and Northern Africa, the CAL itself is largely unknown outside of Europe.
Interestingly, production of the AK-47 was relatively short-lived, as it very quickly underwent a growing number of design changes. By 1959, the “modernized” version of this rifle was born in the form of the AKM, and this platform would continue to evolve in the Soviet Union and in the hands of the various members of the Warsaw Pact and beyond.
This First Volume of Vickers Guide: Kalashnikov covers the history and development of the wide range of 7.62x39mm variants of the AK-47/AKM family of rifles around the world – from the Soviet Union and Russia to Albania, Bulgaria, China, East Germany, Egypt, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia. In all, over sixty firearms are shown in incredible detail to give readers of all levels a new appreciation for this extraordinary firearm.