In the Black Sands (V chyornykh peskakh)

In the Black Sands (V chyornykh peskakh) Original Theatrical Poster Country USSR Directed by Iskander Khamrayev Release Date 1973 Language Russian Studio Lenfilm Main Cast Character Actor Chary Esenov Dagun Omayev Shamurad-Khan Bimbolat Vatayev Commissar Gennadiy Nilov Peltin Leonhard Merzin Rakhimov Baba Annanov Bibitach Lyuda Singatulina

In the Black Sands (V chyornykh peskakh) is a 1973 (filmed 1972) Soviet adventure movie directed by Iskander Khamrayev. The story is set in early 1920s. In Central Asian desert a Red Army unit pursues Basmachi group under the command of Shamurad-Khan (Bimbolat Vatayev). Chary Esenov (Dagun Omayev), a shepherd from mountains, joins the Reds as he has blood feud to Shamurad-Khan.

The following weapons were used in the film In the Black Sands (V chyornykh peskakh):

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

The Commissar of Red unit (Gennadiy Nilov), Junior Commander (NCO) Rakhimov (Baba Annanov) and some Red Army soldiers and Basmachi carry Nagant M1895 revolvers. Due to a continuity error, the commander of Red unit Peltin (Leonhard Merzin) uses a Nagant instead of his Mauser C96 during the final battle. All revolvers are of anachronistic post-1930 version.

Nagant M1895 Revolver - 7.62x38R Nagant. This example was dated 1939 manufacture and was a War time issued weapon. Note the angular front sight which was used from 1930s.

Rakhimov loads his revolver (at the left).

Commissar with Nagant in hand.

Rakhimov with Nagant and Red soldier (Bakhtiyar Kasymov) with M38 Carbine.

Basmach Kurt (Dzhavlon Khamrayev) fires at Chary.

Another view of Kurt's revolver.

Peltin with Nagant in action.

Pistols

Mauser C96

The commander of Red unit Peltin (Leonhard Merzin) carries a Mauser C96 pistol. Mauser pistols are also used by several Basmachi.

Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Commercial Version - 7.63x25mm Mauser

A Basmach, Shamurad-Khan's executioner (Inogam Adylov) holds a Mauser.

Another Basmach (Pulat Saidkasymov) aims his Mauser at Chary.

Both men with Mausers in the same scene.

Peltin (in center) holds a Mauser.

Peltin with Mauser in another scene.

Peltin's Mauser in holster.

A Basmach (Farkhad Khaydarov) aims his Mauser.

A perfect view of the Mauser C96.

Luger P08 Artillery Model

A Luger P08 Artillery Model is a personal handgun of Shamurad-Khan (Bimbolat Vatayev).

Luger LP08 long barreled "Artillery" model - 9x19mm

Shamurad-Khan holds his Luger.

Now the pistol lacks the magazine.

Shamurad-Khan reloads.

A good view of the Luger.

Shamurad-Khan in action.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891

Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles are used by Red soldiers and Basmachi.

Mosin Nagant M1891 - 7.62x54mm R

Rifles of Red soldiers are seen when Chary is released from prison.

A Basmach has his rifle attached to saddle.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

Anachronistic Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbines are main guns of Red soldiers, including Chary Esenov (Dagun Omayev), Teleshov (Yuriy Dubrovin), and Kopylov (Nikolai Godovikov).

Mosin Nagant M38 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

Red soldiers with M38 Carbines. Teleshov is at the left.

Kopylov holds his M38 Carbine in center.

Chary Esenov with carbine.

Rakhimov (Baba Annanov) with Nagant and Red soldier (Bakhtiyar Kasymov) with M38 Carbine.

Chary fires his carbine single-hand.

Chary's carbine on ground.

Chary aims at Shamurad-Khan...

...but at last takes him alive.

Winchester Model 1895

Many Basmachi, including Kurt (Dzhavlon Khamrayev), are armed with Winchester Model 1895 rifles. Chary Esenov (Dagun Omayev) is seen with a Winchester 95 in flashback scene.

A Russian contract Model 1895 - 7.62x54 Russian. Note the loading bridge over the reciever

Kurt's Winchester is seen at the left. The rifle seems to lack the hammer.

A Basmach at the right carries his Winchester attached to saddle. This rifle is not Russian contract model as it lacks the loading bridge over the reciever.

Kurt surrenders to Chary. The stock of his rifle is shortened in comparison with standard military Model 95; possibly this is a military model with removed bayonet lug.

Chary holds the Winchester in flashback scene.

The loading bridge on Chary's rifle is seen.

Basmachi with Winchesters.

Winchester Model 1895 carbine - .30 Cal - Commercial Version

Ovez (Tulkun Tadzhiyev) carries a carbine version of Winchester 95. This rifle is possibly converted to carbine from military model as it has a longer barrel in comparison with sample carbine.

Enfield M1917/P14

Several Basmachi are seen with rifles that appear to be M1917 Enfield or Enfield Pattern 14 (both models can be found in Soviet movies).

M1917 Enfield - .30-06 Springfield

A Basmach (Farkhad Khaydarov) carries Enfield rifle.

Basmachi with Enfield rifles.

Marlin Model 1889

In the flashback scene one of Shamurad-Khan's henchmen is armed with a briefly seen rifle that resembles Marlin Model 1889 (such rifle was used in other Lenfilm productions of 1970s, like White Sun of the Desert (Beloye solntse pustyni) and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson).

Marlin Model 1889 - .44-40 WCF

Machine Guns

Degtyaryov DP-27 (visually modified to resemble Lewis)

Degtyaryov DP-27 machine guns, visually modified to resemble Lewis, are used by Red soldiers and Basmachi. This is a single prop, reused in several scenes.

Degtyaryov DP-28 machine gun - 7.62x54mm R

Lewis Gun - .303 British

A Red soldier (Vladimir Skoropad) with fake Lewis.

A Basmach (Inogam Adylov) fires fake Lewis in several scenes.

Peltin (Leonhard Merzin) with fake Lewis in attack.

Maxim M1910

The Red unit has two Maxim machine guns, one of those is an M1910.

Maxim 1910, simplified version with smooth water jacket - 7.62x54mmR

Two Maxims of Red unit on railway flatcar.

Maxim M1910 is loaded on a horse.

Maxim M1910/30

Another Maxim is an anachronistic M1910/30.

Maxim 1910/30 machine gun - 7.62x54mmR

Maxim M1910/30 in action.

Kopylov (Nikolai Godovikov) fires the Maxim.

Both gunners are killed by Shamurad-Khan.

Trivia

Holsters

Rakhimov carries a holstered Nagant.

Peltin carries a holstered Mauser C96.

Shamurad-Khan carries his Luger P08 Artillery in open-top holster.