ISRAEL

The state of Israel, a Middle Eastern republic at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by Lebanon on the north, Syria on the northeast, Jordan on the east, and Egypt on the southwest, has an area of 9,000 sq. mi. (20,770 sq. km.) and a population of 6 million. Capital: Jerusalem. Finished diamonds, chemicals, citrus, textiles, minerals, electronic and transportation equipment are exported.

HANDGUNS

NOTE: Israel has used a number of different handguns during its early fight for independence and in the turbulent years after. These handguns included Enfield and Webley revolvers as well as Browning Hi-power, Lugers and P-38 pistols. They also built a modified copy of the Smith & Wesson Military & Police model chambered for the 9×19 cartridge which required the use of two three-round half-moon clips. The Isreali Defense Forces currently issue Glock 17 and FN 1935 pistols in 9mm.

Beretta M1951

This 9mm semi-automatic pistol is the standard Israeli military sidearm. See Italy, Handguns, Beretta.

IMI Jericho

Manufactured by Israel Military Industries. A 9mm or .41 Action Express double-action semi-automatic pistol with a 4.72” barrel, polygonal rifling, ambidextrous safety and fixed sights. Blued with plastic grips. Weight is approximately 36 oz. Magazine capacity is 16 rounds in 9mm. This pistol is primarily used by the Israeli police and other government agencies, generally in 9mm. No known U.S. importation of surplus Israeli IMI pistols.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
600	400	350	300

SUBMACHINE GUNS

NOTE: Prior to the development of the UZI the Israelis used British Sten guns and other WWII submachine guns that were available for purchase on the arms market.

UZI

First produced in Israel in 1953, this submachine gun is chambered for the 9mm cartridge. It was designed by Uzi Gal and was based on the Czech designs that were used by Israeli forces in the 1947-48 conflicts. It is fitted with a 10.14” barrel and metal folding stock. It has a magazine capacity of 25, 32, or 40 rounds. Empty weight is about 7.7 lbs. Rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute. This gun enjoys widespread use and is found in military and police units all over the world. Marked “UZI SMG 9MM” on left side of receiver.

Pre-1968 (Very Rare)

Exc.	V.G.	Good
15000	13000	11000

Pre-1986 manufacture with new receiver or reweld

Exc.	V.G.	Good
8000	6500	5000

Vector UZI pre-1986 conversion

The receiver was produced, marked, and registered by Group Industries, Louisville, KY, prior to May 1986. Receiver fixed parts manufacturing and receiver assembly is done by Vector Arms, Inc. of North Salt Lake, UT. A total of 3,300 receivers built. All parts (South African) interchangeable with original IMI guns. Receiver parkerized. All other specifications same as original UZI.

Pre-1986 conversions

NIB/Exc.	V.G.	Good
7000	6000	5000

Mini-UZI

First produced in 1987, this is a smaller version of the original UZI. It functions the same as its larger counterpart. Accepts 20-, 25-, and 32-round magazines. Rate of fire is about 900 to 1,100 rounds per minute. Weight is about 6 lbs. Overall length is about 14” with butt retracted and 23” with butt extended.

Courtesy private NFA collection

Pre-1986 conversion of semi-automatic version

Exc.	V.G.	Good
9500	7000	5000

RIFLES

NOTE: During the 1950s, Israel converted Mauser 98 rifles to 7.62mm caliber. Some of these were later sold as surplus. The Israeli military employed a large number, about 150,000 Colt-built M16A1 rifles and M16A1 carbines during the 1970s. This weapon is still popular with the IDF today. They also have used FN-built and IMI-assembled FN-FAL rifles. Israeli military forces were even issued AKM rifles. In 1975 the U.S. government sold about 22,000 M14 rifles to the Israeli military.

Mauser

German 98k, Post-WWII rework

German WWII issue rifles that were sold to Israel in the late 1940s. The Nazi-era swastika markings are usually ground off, or peened. Most are found with a small Star of David mark on top of the receiver. Originally issued in 8×57mm, most found in the U.S. have been rebarreled to 7.62mm. A “7.62” caliber designation will be stamped on top of the receiver and on the stock. The serial numbers will not match as all were rebuilt.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
500	375	300	150

Model 1949 Bayonet for 98 Mauser

Composite grips. Muzzle ring. 9.7” single edge blade. Dated 1949 with Hebrew markings on ricasso. Steel scabbard with Star of David on frog stud. Some of these were made from German WWII bayonets that had a new cross piece with muzzle ring installed. Others were of new manufacture. Price range 80 – 35.

Czech Post-WWII 98k Short Rifle

This model is identical to the German Model K98k with the exception of an oversize triggerguard. Some have been converted in Israel to 7.62×51mm.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
425	375	300	150

FN 98k-style Short Rifle 7.62mm

This model was purchased directly from FN in the 1950s and is the same configuration as the German Model 98k carbine. It is marked with the Israeli crest on the receiver ring.

FN 98k Short Rifle • Private collection, Paul Goodwin photo

Israeli K98 with grenade launcher • Courtesy Stoddard Martial collection, Paul Goodwin photo

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
750	600	450	200

Mauser 98 Training Rifle, .22LR

A single-shot rifle featuring a Mauser 1898 action with a new .22-caliber barrel. The barrels are frequently marked Remington, as they used barrels from civilian-purchased guns.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair	Poor
650	500	350	200	125

Galil ARM-Select Fire Assault Rifle

This automatic rifle is produced in Israel and is chambered for the 5.56×45mm cartridge. Similar in appearance to the AK-47 this rifle is fitted with an 18” barrel and folding stock. Magazine capacity is 35 or 50 rounds. Rate of fire is 550 rounds per minute. Model markings on the left side of the receiver are in Hebrew. Weight is approximately 8.7 lbs. First produced in 1971. Still in production. No original examples are transferable.

Courtesy private NFA collection

Pre-1986 conversions of semi-automatic model

Exc.	V.G.	Good
18000	12500	10000

Galil SAR-Select Fire Assault Rifle

Similar to the ARM but with a folding metal stock and a barrel length of 13”. Weight of SAR is about 8.25 lbs.

Galil SAR • Courtesy private NFA collection

Pre-1986 conversions of semi-automatic model

Exc.	V.G.	Good
20000	15000	10000

Model AR

This rifle is an Israeli variant of the AK-47 based on the Valmet. It is also used by the South African military where it is called the R-4 rifle. It is a .223 or .308 caliber semi-automatic rifle with 16” or 19” barrel. Parkerized with the flip “Tritium” night sights and folding stock. The .308 version would bring about a 10 percent premium.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
2900	2000	1500	N/A

Model ARM

As above, with a ventilated wood handguard and a folding bipod and carrying handle. The .308 will bring about a 10 percent premium.

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
2800	2000	1500	N/A

Galil Sniper Rifle

Introduced in 1983 and similar to the above rifle chambered for the 7.62×51 NATO caliber, with a 20” heavy barrel, adjustable wooden stock, and a 6/40 scope is furnished in addition to the Tritium night sights. Supplied to military in semi-automatic version only. Weight is about 14 lbs. Supplied with two 25-shot magazines and a fitted case.

NIB	Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
8500	7500	6000	4000	N/A

IDF Mauser Rifle Model 66SP

This is a bolt-action rifle chambered for the .308 Win. cartridge. Adjustable trigger for pull and travel. Barrel length is 27”. Specially designed stock has broad forend and a thumbhole pistol grip. Cheekpiece is adjustable as is the recoil pad. The rifle is fitted with an original Swarovsky 6×24 BDC Mil-Spec scope. Supplied with case. This rifle is military issue, built by Mauser for the Israel Defense Force in the early 1980s. Fewer than 100 imported into the U.S by Springfield Armory.

Model ARM Assault Rifle • Courtesy West Point Museum, Paul Goodwin photo

Exc.	V.G.	Good	Fair
3000	2500	—	—

MACHINE GUNS

Israel uses a variety of foreign-built machine guns from the FN MAG, Browning 1919 and Browning .50 caliber heavy machine gun. There are no known transferable Israeli machine guns in the U.S.