The Makarov Pistol: China, Bulgaria & Khyber Pass Copies, Paperback

The Makarov Pistol entered service as the primary service pistol in the armed forces and security services of the Soviet Union in 1951. It continues to serve in the forces of the Russian Federation and the former Soviet Union, and of nations around the world. The Makarov Pistol has served around the world in conflicts and security duties in all climates and terrains, and can claim the distinction of being the first firearm to be carried into space. The Makarov Pistol was manufactured under license by China and Bulgaria, for both military and police, and commercial markets. Chinese and Bulgarian manufactured Makarov Pistols are well known to collectors, each for different reasons. Chinese military and police Type 59 Pistols were produced for a very short period of time, had a very limited service life, and were never officially exported as surplus, making the few rare samples available, the most coveted of Makarov Pistols for the collector. Similarly, commercial Chinese Makarov Pistols were exported for only a short period in the late 1980s and early 1990s, making these the rarer of commercial Makarovs and collectibles in their own right. In contrast, Bulgarian Makarovs, in both military and police, and commercial versions, were exported in large quantities into the early years of the 21st century, making these the workhorse Makarovs of conflicts around the world, and a standard item for the Makarov collector and shooter. While collectors have been documenting and recording the many aspects of Chinese and Bulgarian Makarov Pistols over the last 25 years, little has been known of their design and production beyond speculation and 'gun show wisdom'. For the first time, this information is presented in a systematic manner, based on research using a wide range of documentary and open source information. Information about the Chinese Makarov in particular, its production and service life, is based on research from Chinese language sources and is presented for the first time for the English language reader. This book also reviews examples of 'craft production' Makarovs, the so-called 'Khyber Pass' copies, each one a unique hand crafted copy, and a trophy of the conflicts of the 21st century. This book describes the craft production of small arms in the Khyber Pass region of Pakistan, and the distinguishing features of Khyber Pass Makarovs. 'The Makarov Pistol: China, Bulgaria & Khyber Pass Copies' is the second volume of a two volume series documenting the history, features, manufacturing variations and markings of the Makarov Pistol, its accessories and documentation available to the collector. This is a series by collectors, for collectors, and it is the first comprehensive collector's review of the Makarov Pistol.

About the Author:

Henry C. Brown Jr was born and raised in North Carolina. He holds a B.S. from East Carolina University in History, a M.A. from Appalachian State University in Education and an A.S. from Wayne Community College. Married to his college sweetheart and father of three lovely daughters, he spends his days working in his wife's dental practice. As a certifiable history fanatic he has traveled in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America visiting historic sites from the Bronze Age to the Second World War. Mr. Brown is a long-time member of the 6th NC American Revolution re-enactment group, a friend of Fort Ticonderoga, a member of Colonial Williamsburg's Duke of Gloucester Society, and a volunteer at Historic Halifax NC State Historic Site. Cameron S. White, Ph.D. grew up in Kansas, but he has spent most of his adult life living in Nebraska. After receiving a B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kansas, he went on to earn a M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Nebraska. Currently Dr. White lives in Lincoln, Nebraska where he works as a psychologist. Dr. White has always been a student of firearms, especially 20th century semi-automatic military pistols. He is especially interested in Makarov and Tokarev pistols. His other interests include history and American literature. Dr. White writes about the firearms he has studied when he is not working or spending time with his wife and three children. Edwin H. Lowe has been a university researcher and academic for over 20 years in the diverse fields of conservation genetics, molecular biology, defence and strategic studies, Chinese history, Chinese politics and Chinese to English translation. He has worked and taught at Macquarie University, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies, Australian Defence College. Edwin has authored and co-authored articles and books in these fields, and has translated and edited translations of Chinese texts. Edwin is the publisher at Edwin H. Lowe Publishing, specialising in military history, military weapons, China and East Asia, Chinese to English translations and scholarly publications. Edwin lives in Sydney, Australia.