Turkey’s Erdogan gifts NATO leaders vintage revolvers, spotlighting Ankara’s arms push
At the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave each attending leader a vintage Gumusay revolver with live ammunition to showcase Turkey’s defense industry. Reactions varied: some leaders stored or arranged safe custody of the gifts, others faced customs or security steps, and Belgium’s prime minister even found a handgun in his luggage. The episode underscores Turkey’s prominence as a small-arms exporter and highlights Gumusay as a collector’s item rather than a standard service pistol.