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Saddam's Guns: The History of the AK-47

Among the Iraqi dictator’s most prized gifts were chrome plated AK-47s. Reporter C.J. Chivers tells the story of how this humble rifle became fashionable among revolutionaries—and dispels many of the myths about them.

C.J. Chivers

Published Oct. 28 2010 12:26PM EDT

articles/2010/10/28/saddams-guns-the-history-of-the-ak-47/chivers-saddams-guns_134604_u4htdk — Saddam Hussein holds a machine gun presented to him on October 30, 1997 in Iraq. (Photo: STR New / Reuters)

C.J. Chivers

C.J. Chivers

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