Tamil Tigers with QBZ97

Tamil Tigers (LTTE) had a very strong fighting force in the turbulent Sri Lankan political landscape. One of the most amazing things about the Tigers were their international logistical support chain, especially of their access to a wide range of sophisticated military hardware. They were not a rag tag militia, but a formidable and organized paramilitary government. Unfortunately, they were officially defeated on May of 2009.

Today I want to focus on a particular rifle they had in their inventory. The Chinese Norinco QBZ97 5.56x45 assault rifle.

The QBZ97 or Type97, is the export version of the PRC current issue QBZ95. It is a 5.56x45 NATO compatible rifle which feeds via STANAG magazines. The rifle made its debut during the 1997 Hong Kong take over, and has been a relatively mysterious rifle outside of China. The rifle follows a compact bullpup design, and the body is made out of polymer.

I believe the first sightings of the QBZ97 in Sri Lanka was in 2007. One can speculate how these got into LTTE hands. The Chinese government has a long history supplying both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers. This is evident with the abundant quantities of Type56 and Type81 rifles used by both forces. However I believe the QBZ97 was not directly brokered with the PLA, but via proxy through Burma and Cambodia. There is also speculation that some were taken from Sri Lankan Special Forces, or annexed from corruption.

Below are a few images of the QBZ97 in Sri Lanka used by the LTTE.

Tamil Eelam leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran with custom shorty QBZ97 and Zeiss RSA.
RIP May 19 2009

LTTE with QBB97 LMG

Black Tigers with ChiCom Type69 RPG (RPG7 clones), Type85 suppressed SMGs (outfitted with various optics), Type80 GPMG (PKM clones), Type56-2 (AKM clones), QBZ97s.

Captured arms of the Tamil Tigers, showcasing the QBZ97.

Unknown rifle from Brazil

Here is something that has been circulating online for sometime. A captured rifle from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nobody really knows what it is. There are suggestions that this is from an underground workshop, but I highly doubt it. The construction looks too professional to be something from the favelas.

The rifle resembles a SIG SG530/Beretta AR70, the magazine release looks IMI Galil. Furniture appears to be polymer resin, and the color is similar to the INSAS. The upper has FN FAL/Imbel MD97 like sights, and the top even has rail sections for optics. The magazine is proprietary, and appears to be in 5.56x45 profile. Folding stock is FAMAE SG540 like. Fire selector/safety is on the left side, charging handle is on the right.

Based on these design characteristics, this rifle was possibly made in the 1980-90s. I suspect this is something from the very region. Brazil has a rich firearms manufacturing history, so it is very likely a domestic product. But I am not ruling out that it could be from a neighboring country also. FAMAE of Chile is my closest bet on the maker, as they make SIG pattern rifles.

So what is the back story behind this mysterious rifle? Could this be made by Imbel or Taurus? A locally produced prototype AR70 pattern rifle?

OSV-96 in Syria

There have been a few sightings of the Russian KBP OSV-96 12.7x108 anti-material rifles in Syria.

All I can say is that these are state of the art weapons systems, it is capable of engaging targets up to 2000 meters (that is if the operator is competent to make the shot). The rifle can fold in half (down to about the size of a Dragunov SVD), it is semi automatic and the magazines holds 5 rounds. It shares the same ammo as the DShK heavy machine gun. Logistically they should have no problem obtaining ammunition for it if they can secure DShKs in their inventory.

I am unsure how the the FSA got ahold of these, but this is quite a specialized tool. Essentially it is a .50 caliber sniper rifle in Western terms (Barrett Light Fifty weapon systems). There has been reports of the rifle taking out grounded aircraft and light armored vehicles.

FSA fighters showing off their OSV-96s, it comes complete with the factory issued PKN-05 Night Vision optical sight.

Syrian MAS-49/56

Here is a historic battle rifle spotted in Syria, the French MAS-49/56 in 7.5x54.
It is fascinating to see this still in use well into the 21st century, playing along side with all the Kalashnikovs.

I suspect this rifle to be Lebanese origin due to it being a MAS-49/56. Historically, the Syrian contract rifles are the earlier MAS-49, which lacks rifle grenade launching capability (NATO 22mm) but comes with a under folding spike bayonet. This is quite a nice collectible rifle in this current configuration, as it comes with the factory issued APX L806 optic (missing rubber eye piece).

More info on the MAS-49/56 can be found here http://50ae.net/collection/mas4956/

Image taken in Al Qusiar, 19 Aug  2012.
Free Syrian Army - the protection of the demonstration
Picture courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/LensYoungHomsi

Argentina's Finest with Mi Sangre

Henry de Jesus Lopez Londoño, or Mi Sangre, a leader of the Colombian Los Urabeños cartel was arrested in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 31 October 2012.

What I want to focus on is the gear of the Grupo Especial de Operaciones Federales escorting Mr. Lopez Londoño.

We see the officers with decked out flat top Swiss SIG SG552 Commando compact assault rifles in 5.56x45 (fire selectors set on SEMI!). The neat thing about this rifle is that they are rather expensive (around $3000 CHF), so they are not very common to see due to their high unit costs.
The optics resemble Aimpoint CompM2s, but its battery location is on the other side. Are these optics Aimpoint clones?
Flashlight appears to be Surefire 6Ps, and unknown laser sight. The right officer also has a Magpul AFG on his carbine, and first officer has an unknown VFG.

Next are the sidearms, they are all seen with Italian Beretta M92s (9mm?). However the left officer carries an additional German H&K USP .45 on his chest rig along with his Beretta on his thigh rig.
This is rather peculiar in my opinion (PDW role?). As tactically this is not very logical (not select fire). Plus he needs to carry additional H&K .45 mags that cannot share with his Beretta.
Perhaps this USP is his personal favorite pistol, and he favors this over his issued M92.

Muammar Gaddafi's gold plated Tariq

As promised, I want to showcase another shiny toy belonging to the late Muammar Gaddafi.
A custom gold plated Iraqi Al Qadissiya Tariq 9mm pistol.

The Tariq is named after Tariq ibn Ziyad, and the grips comes appropriately with coin medallions of the conqueror.
This pistol is a licenced copy of the Italian Beretta M1951. It uses a single stack 8 shot magazine, and is the precursor of the famous Beretta M92 series.

You can probably imagine the origins of this one, Saddam Hussein most likely gifted Gaddafi this special Tariq. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any close ups of this pistol, so no back story can be traced via its custom inscriptions.

This pistol was unearthed when the Libyan NTC fighters stormed his Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli on 23 August 2011.
Many other beautiful and unique weapons were found in his private palace compound, and I will showcase more down the road.

More info about the Tariq can be found here http://www.adamsguns.com/tariq.htm

Syrian M72 RPK Tubuk DMR hybrid

Unusual AK variant of the day. This one appears to be a Yugoslavian Zastava M72 RPK, but outfitted like an Iraqi Tabuk DMR. The barrel profile and forearm is in RPK format, but butt stock, scope setup and 20 round magazine looks to be a Tabuk.

Can somebody ID the optic?

This is a very logistical setup in my opinion, as the 7.62x39 ammo and magazines are plentiful. Having the RPK scoped up is a very expedient way to put rounds down accurately even in full auto. The M72 comes with a thick heavy barrel over the traditional AKM, and the longer barrel pushes the round just a bit more velocity than usual. This creates a perfect combination of firepower and precision.

Syrian Army defector
Picture courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/LensYoungHomsi

FSA fighter with unknown AR15 variant

Alright this is a very interesting one.
Here we have a Free Syrian Army fighter with a custom unknown AR15 variant.

Can somebody ID the make of this rifle?

I suspect its an European manufacturer or something regional. The receiver is non standard and appears to be machined from a billet. Its finish is also non standard and is grey in color. Rear stock is made by FAB Defense. The front rail looks to be a Daniel Defense Lite (Magpul AFG, unknown short VFG and front BUIS attached), the optics resemble Aimpoints (3x magnifier with Larue FTS and CompM2). Barrel appears stainless and resembles a Lothar Walther 14.5", or it is painted the same color as the receiver. At the end is an unknown muzzle device. The rifle is attached with a leather camera or bag sling and is fed by a FDE windowed PMAG.

Either this is an airsoft, or this guy has the right connections for such a custom kit.

Image taken on 05 Nov 2012
Picture courtesy of  http://www.facebook.com/LensYoungHomsi

Muammar Gaddafi's Browning Hi-Power

The Beginning for RGP!
Bear with me while I get used to this blogger thing, so here I present you with something special.

Here is the late Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's custom Belgium Browning Hi-Power 9mm.

This sidearm was found on him when he was captured outside of Sirte, Libya. He was later tortured and executed by the raging mob with punches, kicks, rifle butts, and ultimately gun fire.

RIP 20 Oct 2011

More detailed pics can be found here http://s.joomeo.com/4efee3048844b

From what I understand, this was sold by Browning as the "Renaissance", it came as an engraved matching set with the BDA .380 & .25 baby pistol. As you can see, Gaddafi had his pistol gold plated and custom inscribed. It comes with appropriate grips featuring the Libyan Coat of Arms on one side, and an mural of Omar Mukhtar on the other side.

Gaddafi had a thing for shiny toys, I will showcase a few more later on. Not to mention he was also an important client for FN Herstal. It makes you wonder where are the rest of the matching set?

Serial # 551MP51396

Here was the sewage pipe he was found hiding in.

AK103 with classic Bakelite mag