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'The Illicit Trade in Arms and Ammunition Between the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan' [3v] (6/36)
The record is made up of 1 file (16 folios). It was created in Aug 1908-Sep 1908. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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2
1907.
—
Rifles.
Percentage.
Ammunition.
Percentage.
Total imports into Masqat
• ••
60,000
14 , 520,000
««*.
Exported to Makran coast ...
11,247
19
7i,5oo
•5
Exported to other places
14,500
24
Nil.
...
Unaccounted for ... ...
...
34,253
57
i4,44 8 ,5oo
99'5
1908 (six months only).
—
Rifles.
Percentage.
Ammunition.
Percentage.
Total imports into Masqat ...
43,oco
• M
10 , 388,000
Exported to Makran coast ...
• ••
25,600
60
655,000
6.
Exported to other places ...
5,5oo
12
600,000
6
Unaccounted for ... ....
...
11,900
28
9 , 133,000
88
1
It is apparent frorn these figures that in past years we have practically
been ignorant of the destination of the greater part of the arms and ammunition
imported into Masqat, but presumably the greater portion has passed into Af
ghanistan. The figures of the present year show a considerable improvement
as regards rifles, but there is very little information as regards ammunition. We
have had no estimates of recent years as to the numbers of rifles imported into
the Masqat hinterland.
10. Appendix X shows the various species of rifles and ammunition imported
into Masqat and the Gulf. The Martini-Henry shows a constant percentage of
over 75 per cent, during the last three years. However, it must be recollected
that probably the greater proportion of the small bores imported come from the
Continent, and are not included in the data for the figures given in the
Appendix, not being available. The figures show that there has been a con
siderable increase in the quantity of *303 ammunition in the present year, the
proportion having risen from 14 per cent, to 44 per cent. This may probably be
accounted for by the fact that Martini-Henry cartridges can be obtained and
re-loaded in every large town in Persia, and that *303 ammunition must all be
imported. A considerable number of *303 rifles, and a large amount of the *303
ammunition must be absorbed by the Persian Province of Pars, vide this Divi
sion’s report on the subject of the distribution of arms in Southern Persia. It
may be considered that a very large proportion of the small-bore rifles are ab
sorbed in Western Persia, and that by far the larger proportion of the rifles
which find their way into Afghanistan are Martini-Henrys, but with prices ruling
as high as they do the importation of thousands of magazine small bores into
Eastern Afghanistan and tribal territory may be regarded as inevitable in the
immediate future.
11. A list of the firms connected with the arms traffic into Masqat is to be
found in Appendix IX. The principal exporters of rifles during the present year
have been—
Laubenherg 8c Co. ,,, Birmingham.
Livingstone, Zeytoon 8c Co. ... ... Manchester.
S. K. R. Cama 8c Co. London.
About this item
- Content
The file consists of notes and appendices providing a history of the arms trade up to 1908, prepared by C M Gibbon of the Persian Section of the Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Department, Government of India.
A preface is included by Wilfrid Malleson, Division of Chief of General Staff, India.
It discusses: the monetary value of the arms trade, attempts to stop the import of arms into Persia, reported trade routes, import and export figures, the types of rifles and ammunition imported, and firms connected with arms traffic.
The appendices include the following:
- an outline of the scheme inaugurated by Mr New of the Indo-European Telegraph Department for the prevention of illicit arms trade on the Makran Coast;
- lists of arms caravans known to have made their way from the Makran Coast into Afghan territory;
- a precis of the action taken by the Persian Government to prohibit arms caravans through South-East Persia;
- statistics for the value of arms and ammunition openly imported in the Masqat [Muscat] and Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports, monthly exports from the United Kingdom, imports into Masqat by foreign vessels, distribution from Masqat to Persian and Arabian Coasts, and the proportion of various forms of rifles and ammunition imported monthly;
- a statement of the departures for and arrivals at Masqat of vessels carrying arms and ammunition, and European firms connected with Masqat arms traffic.
Also includes one map on folio 17: 'PLAN TO ILLUSTRATE ROUTES TAKEN BY ARMS CARAVANS BETWEEN THE MAKRAN COAST and the AFGHAN BORDER'
- Extent and format
- 1 file (16 folios)
- Arrangement
The file consists of a single document.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 18; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/20/10
- Title
- 'The Illicit Trade in Arms and Ammunition Between the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:16v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence