Bitch War (Suchya voyna)

Poster

Country	Russia
Language	Russian
Creator	Nikolay Borts
Broadcast	2014
No. of Seasons	1
No. of Episodes	8

Main Cast
Character	Actor

Mikhail Matveev	Aleksey Demidov
Lyova Grach	Mikhail Pshenichnyy
Lyuba Bartseva	Karina Andolenko
Grigoriy Lobanov alias Loban	Konstantin Yushkevich
Raisa Mikhalyova	Agrippina Steklova

Bitch War (Suchya voyna; DVD release title Suchyy voyny (Bitch Wars)) is a Russian 2014 TV series. The plot covers the life of two men - Mikhail Matveev (Aleksey Demidov) and Lyova Grach (Mikhail Pshenichnyy), former close friends from a Russian village, throughout 1930s-1940s. Both fall in love to Lyuba (Karina Andolenko), and this makes them apart. After several years Mikhail turns into a criminal while Lyova becomes a law enforcement officer and marries Lyuba who still in heart has feelings to Mikhail. During the WWII Mikhail goes to Red Army, violating the rule of criminal life that forbids military service. The war is over, Mikhail commits another crime and is again arrested. He has to survive the so-called "bitch war" that occurred between criminals who served on the front ("bitches", in criminal argot) and those who remained in prison.

The following weapons were used in the television series Bitch War (Suchya voyna):

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

Detectives of MUR (Moscow Ugolovny Rozysk (criminal investigation department)) carry Nagant M1895 revolvers in several scenes. Grach's first wife Raisa Mikhalyova (Agrippina Steklova), a high rank detective of MUR, shoots herself with a Nagant.

Nagant M1895 - 7.62x38R Nagant. Note the angular front sight which was used from 1930s.

A detective at the right holds a Nagant during the arrest of criminal Loban (a revolver in center is a blank-firing "Blef", see below).

Same revolver is seen at the left in hands of a detective, arresting Loban.

Detective Migunov (Aleksandr Bobrov (II)) holds a Nagant.

Migunov holds his Nagant when he follows escaping Matveev.

A well-worn Nagant of Raisa Mikhalyova.

Raisa loads the revolver. Note that the cartridge is too short for a Nagant ammo.

Nagant M1895 "Blef"

In several scenes Mikhail Matveev (Aleksey Demidov), a seasoned criminal Grigoriy Lobanov alias Loban (Konstantin Yushkevich), Starshiy Upolnomochennyi (the senior detective) Anatoliy Glebovich Porokhov (Andrey Ivanov) and several minor characters use "Blef" (VPO-503 "Nagan-S") revolvers, blank-firing version of Nagant M1895.

"Blef" (VPO-503 "Nagan-S"), a blank-firing version of Nagant M1895 - .22 Gevelot small cap

Egor (uncredited), the deputy of the commander of prodotryad ("food squad") that has a mission to collect grain in the village, aims his revolver at Mikhail's father. Note the thin walls of the barrel.

Egor holds his revolver.

The commander of prodotryad Steshnev (uncredited) threatens to kill Mikhail.

Loban, posing as a detective, "arrests" Mikhail and Lyova who stole a suitcase on the railway station.

A close-up of Porokhov's Nagant. Note the markings of "Blef" on the frame and the cylinder, and the original marking of Izhmash with 1943 year of manufacturing (the episode is set in 1936).

Porokhov holds Loban at gunpoint.

Porokhov aims his Nagant at Loban during the second arrest of the criminal.

Mikhail puts down a Nagant that he earlier took intending to kill Lyova.

Porokhov fires his revolver in the scene in criminals den. Note the typical flashes of the blank-firing "Blef".

Steshnev and Egor with Nagant "Blef" revolvers on a promotional image. The Nagant holster is seen.

Pistols

TT-33

Lev Grach (Mikhail Pshenichnyy), newly minted Militsiya Lt., hold a TT-33 pistol when he enounters Mikhail Matveev. The pistol is correct pre-1947 version.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Pre-1947 version.

Grach holds his TT.

He cocks the pistol. Both chamber and magazine are empty.

Another view of the pistol.

TT-33 (MP-656K)

In several scenes MP-656K, CO2 guns converted from live TT-33 pistols, are seen in hands of Mikhail Matveev (Aleksey Demidov), Major of State Security Lev Grach (Mikhail Pshenichnyy) and officials of penal colonies.

MP-656K - .177

The head of the penal colony (Sergey Krymskiy) holds a pistol. The lack of the extractor identifies the pistol as CO2 version.

Mikhail holds a pistol, covertly stolen from Grach's holster. The grip matches MP-656K version.

In a post-war scene Mikhail holds a TT, brought from the front, when he goes after Grach and Lyuba.

Col. Kozlov (Andrey Kharybin) holds a pistol during the rebellion of the convicts.

Another view of Kozlov's pistol.

Grach holds his pistol in the same scene. Note the lack of the extractor.

Mauser C96

One of the MUR detectives is armed with a Mauser C96.

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

A detective holds a C96 pistol. There is a possibility that this gun is a Denix replica but it's hard to say for sure.

Submachine Guns

PPSh-41

In wartime scenes, PPSh-41 are used by Red Army soldiers, including Mikhail Matveev (Aleksey Demidov). A German soldier of the Einsatzgruppe holds a PPSh during the scene of the massacre in Matveev's native village.

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

A PPSh is seen in hands of a German soldier in center.

Personnel of anti-retreat detachment with PPSh-41s.

A close-up of wounded Mikhail Matveev's PPSh.

Mikhail hands his PPSh to another soldier who carries a Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifle.

A soldier at the right holds a PPSh.

MP38

Two German soldiers of the Einsatzgruppe carry MP38 submachine guns.

MP38 - 9x19mm

An MP38 is seen at the right.

Soldiers with MP38 and Karabiner 98k.

Another view of the MP38.

MP40

At least one MP40 is also seen in the same scene.

MP40 - 9x19mm

A driver of the motorcycle carries an MP40. This gun is seen better on the promotional image below.

A promotional image shows a motorcyclist carrying an MP40.

Rifles

SVT-40

One of the German soldiers is armed with an SVT-40.

Tokarev SVT-40 - 7.62x54mmR

A soldier at the right holds an SVT-40.

A blurry but recognisable view of the SVT-40 at the right. Also note the definitly empty holster for Luger P08 on the belt of the SS officer.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles are used by the personnel of the prodotryad ("food squad") that has a mission to collect grain in the village in the opening episode. Prison guards and Red Army soldiers are armed with M91/30 rifles in several scenes.