Afghan (?) bringback Darra Makarov...

[Len S]

I found this at a local gun show recently. It's a copy of a Russian Makarov probably made in or near the town of Darra in the tribal area of Northwest Pakistan adjacent to the Afghan border. It's a serviceable copy though one I would not want to shoot (the seller told me it was an original Russian that their shop's gunsmith had checked out and fired a full mag through with no problems) . I have no idea who brought it back from "over there" whether soldier or civilian contractor. Here are some pics.

 

Len

[VMI88]

What identifies this as a copy as opposed to a real Makarov?

[Ronnie]

Awesome! Wonder how they got it back. I'm always fascinated at the stories of items coming back nowadays.

Does the holster have any markings?

Thanks.

Ronnie

[Len S]

Hi Ronnie, the pistol didn't come with the ratty old Russian holster which was just added for "effect ". Whoever brought it back did it at great risk as the military takes a dim view of this type of souvenir hunting. VMI the markings are the first giveaway , they're way too crude to have been Russian applied. Folks who know Maks tell me the number of slide serrations are incorrect as well as numerous other small details.

 

Len

[Ronnie]

Len I have a friend who got a Makarov during Desert Storm and got it back. Crazy but he did it. His uncle brought a P38 home from WWII so he saw no reason he shouldn't be able to do the same thing.

That's a really cool piece you have there.

Ronnie