The Makarov Pistol entered service as the primary service pistol in the armed forces and security services of the Soviet Union in 1951. It continues to serve in the forces of the Russian Federation, and the former Soviet Union, and of nations around the world. It has been estimated that some 5 million Makarov pistols had been produced in the Soviet Union and Russian Federation alone up 2002, and production continues for military, police and civil markets in Russia to this day. Additionally, the Makarov Pistol was also produced under license in East Germany, Bulgaria and China. The Makarov Pistol has served around the world in conflicts and security duties in all climates and terrains, and can claim the distinction of being the first firearm to be carried into space.Despite the large numbers and the widespread use of the Makarov Pistol, it remained a rare and little known firearm among western collectors until the end of the Cold War. In the 1990s however, large numbers of Makarov Pistols, accessories and its previously unobtainable 9x18mm cartridge were exported to the west with the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, opening up a new field of firearms collecting. While collectors have been documenting and recording the many aspects of the Makarov Pistol over the last 25 years, this information has never been systematically consolidated into a handy reference book - until now.This book documents the Makarov Pistols produced by the Soviet Union and Russian Federation, and the Pistole M, the version produced in East Germany. This is the first volume of a two volume series documenting the history, features, manufacturing variations and markings of the Makarov Pistol, its accessories, documentation and other collectibles available to the collector. This is a book by collectors, for collectors, and it is the first comprehensive collector's review of the Makarov Pistol.

Henry C. Brown Jr was born and raised in North Carolina. He holds a B.S. from East Carolina University in History, a M.A. from Appalachian State University in Education and an A.S. from Wayne Community College. Married to his college sweetheart and father of three lovely daughters, he spends his days working in his wife's dental practice. As a certifiable history fanatic he has travelled in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America visiting historic sites from the Bronze Age to the Second World War. Mr. Brown is a long-time member of the 6th NC American Revolution re-enactment group, a friend of Fort Ticonderoga, member of the Buffalo Bill Museum, a member of Colonial Williamsburg's Duke of Gloucester Society, and a volunteer at Historic Halifax NC State Historic Site. Cameron S. White, Ph.D. grew up in central Kansas, but he has spent most of his adult life living in Nebraska. After receiving a B.A. in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kansas, he went on to earn a M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Nebraska. Currently Dr. White lives in Lincoln, Nebraska where he works as a private practice psychologist. Dr. White has always been a student of firearms, especially 20th century semi-automatic military pistols. He is especially interested in Makarov and Tokarev pistols. His other interests include history and American literature. Dr. White writes about the firearms he has studied when he is not working or spending time with his wife and three children.