We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:50:25 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification The Afghans are long known for their "home workshop" firearms production, where they make excellent copies of commercially-made weapons that have fallen into tribal hands over the years - especially British weapons. They are usually visually correct dimensionally (though the parts may not interchange with the original weapon copied), they usually have little signs on them that cause experienced collectors of the originals look twice - such as markings in the wrong places, markings that have reversed letters in them, or, in the base of barrel proofs - markings in the wrong order, or a mix of markings from different... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html Sun, 07 Oct 2007 09:37:48 -0600 Well this just makes me want to travel to the Hindu Kush even more!!!! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65434 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65434 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:18:14 -0600 Good one, Cricket! You win the comment thread. Snork! (JoA writes snerk, I thought up snork all by my self before I saw other people using it.) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65382 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65382 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:50:22 -0600 I have a great-great-great uncle. You might have heard of him. His name was Jonathan Browning. He was a gunsmith... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65341 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65341 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:37:27 -0600 http://www.armscollectors.com/darra/darra.htm and we have another section with some detailed tips for sorting originals from repros at http://www.armscollectors.com/darra/afghanold.htm BEFORE they spend their good money. These are all nice souvenirs, but not necessarily good investments.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65332 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65332 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:37:42 -0600 John, That was a terrific read and truly fun. We looked at the pics and spotted the off center bore right away, before we read the 'rest of the story.' Once again, a reason to read yer blog daily. Thanks again. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65330 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2007/10/khyber_rifles_a.html#comment-65330 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:21:12 -0600