Afghanistan - Forgotten Weapons

Afghan Schlegelmilch Carbine from the Kabul Arsenal

February 8, 2021 Ian McCollum 15

This is a rifle I have not been able to find any specific documentation about or even reference to – but we can tell what it it, and that’s a very interesting story. The rifle […]

Researcher Profile: Miles Vining and Silah Report

July 23, 2019 Ian McCollum 8

Today I am chatting with Miles Vining, co-creator of Silah Report, a blog and intelligence network researching firearms in MENA – the Middle East and North Africa. Miles and his colleagues have created an organization […]

Khyber Pass Handmade Bolt Action AK Lookalike

December 13, 2017 Ian McCollum 48

Today we are looking at a unique rifle in the National Firearms Centre collection – at first glance it appears to be an AK in a full-lenght rifle cartridge, using a Bren gun magazine. A […]

Traditional Afghan Jezail (Video)

February 1, 2017 Ian McCollum 16

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1028/263 The Jezail is the traditional rifle of the Afghan tribal fighter, although it originated in Persia (Iran). Distinctive primarily for its uniquely curved style of buttstock, these rifles still maintain a symbolic importance although […]

Afghan Martini Carbines: The Kabul Arsenal (Video)

January 25, 2017 Ian McCollum 3

In the late 1880 or early 1890s, a British engineer and adventurer settled himself in Kabul, Afghanistan and at the request of Emir Abdul Rahman organized and build a rifle factory for the Afghan government. […]

The Ubiquitous RPG-7 (Video)

October 12, 2015 Ian McCollum 56

The RPG-7 is pretty far from being a forgotten weapon, but I was not going to pass up an opportunity to take a closer look at a live one. This example is one of the […]

Father (Grandfather?) and Son in Afghanistan with a Martini and an SMLE

Vintage Saturday: Father and Son

July 18, 2015 Ian McCollum 29

One day the boy will inherit the SMLE, and probably go on fighting whichever country has decided to occupy Afghanistan by that time. Maybe it will be China? They haven’t taken a turn yet. Having […]

Khyber Pass Colt Copy at RIA

June 19, 2015 Ian McCollum 25

The Khyber Pass is a region near the Afghan/Pakistan border known for firearms production – particularly for very crude guns made with crude tools. This particular pistol is an excellent example of the type – […]

Khyber Pass Martini Pistol at RIA (Video)

February 6, 2015 Ian McCollum 13

The Khyber Pass is a well known center of arms production, with gunmaking there going back at least 100 years. The quality of craftsmanship varies greatly, from excellent and safe weapons to thoroughly unsafe guns […]

Vintage Saturday: Mujahideen

October 25, 2014 Ian McCollum 47

Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Mostly armed with SMLEs, but I see at least one No4 Enfield in there as well (and the AKM, of course – which appears to have a 40-round […]