11/6/17 - The Tariq semi-automatic pistol is a licensed copy of the Italian Beretta M1951. It is named in honor of the medieval Arab warrior Tariq ibn Ziyad, who invaded Spain in 711. Beretta produced this pistol between 1949 and 1980. When production ceased all tooling and machinery was sold to Iraq. Production in Iraq commenced in 1981. It was a standard issue handgun in service with Iraqi armed forces and the Republican Guard. This particular pistol is an inscribed, gold presentation variant in all original condition. The inscription translates as "A Gift From President Saddam Hussein, President of the Republic of Iraq". There a couple scratches on the right side of the slide, and maybe a little fading of the gold finish, but the pistol is overall in excellent condition. Original grips and magazine are in very good condition with no major flaws. Excellent bore.