Images Dated 1st September 1977

The town of Darra Adam Khel, located in Pakistan south of Peshawar

The town of Darra Adam Khel, located in Pakistan south of Peshawar and near the Afghan border, Darra Adam Khel (or simply Darra, for short) is, like the Wild, Wild West town of the 19th century.
There is only one main road in Darra and it is filled, on either side, with ramshackle stores. The stores sell guns of all makes and sizes. But these weapons aren? imported by some shady arms dealer, they are made by the people of Darra
Using only ?d tools and a small drill press?the men in Darra create illegal replicas of firearms all day, every day. The gun-making skills are passed down from generation to generation, treated like any craftsman? trade. The variety of weapon is limitless, from hand guns, pen pistols, rifles, grenade launchers and even light artillery. Despite their primitive tools, these weaponsmiths can recreate a gun that they have never seen before, typically in under a few weeks. And in most cases, the replicas are near perfect copies.
The town is often discussed as one of the most dangerous places in the world. Our Picture Shows: The main road into Darra. 1st September 1977

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