Again, for the shotguns actually available to Rhodesia, The Auto 5 was pretty much the ONLY option. More that that it was the ONLY shotgun they adopted for military service. The Striker and some other guns were Im sure, used by civilians, I also recall some break open model with maybe 5 or 6 barrels that was reminiscent of the 19th century Nock Volley gun, as well as Im sure others BUT the Belgian FN made Browning Auto 5 was THE shotgun that Rhodesia adopted.
As a combat shotgun (despite all we've heard here) it was and still is a good gun. At the time of the Bush War, it was the FASTEST shooting/cycling gun available. Yes TODAY there are newer faster better guns BUT those were NOT available then so they only cloud the discussion.
Ive used the term End User Certificate a couple times in this thread. For those NOT familiar, Wikipedia provides the following
An end-user certificate, or EUC, is a document used in international transfers, including sales and arms provided as aid, of weapons and ammunition to certify that the buyer is the final recipient of the materials and does not plan on transferring the materials to another. EUCs are required by many governments to restrict the movement of military materials to undesired destinations, such as non-state actors under an international or domestic embargo, governments with bad human rights records or states that are considered to be threats by the original supplier of the arms.
Further
There are several (potential) problems with EUCs as a means to prevent undesirable arms exports: EUCs can be forged or falsified. They can also be obtained from corrupt officials... Another (potential) problem is that an EUC does not guarantee that the arms recipient will actually live up to its promise not to transfer the weapons received....
At the time of the Rhodesian Bush war, both South Afrika and Portugal (Mozambique) were also facing similar enemies sponsored by the USSR and China, with Cuban troops on the ground as trainers. It was in the interest of both South Afrika and Portugal to aid (if quietly behind the scenes) Rhodesia. Portugal provided HK G3 rifles from their own inventory and South Afrika provided the FALs. Rhodesia had been a British Colony. Their military was formed in British traditions with local influences particular to southern Africa terrain and conditions. The shotguns all likely came by way of South Afrika but I wouldnt be surprised if a few slipped through Portuguese hands.
Sadly Rhodesia was abandoned by the world. Race was used as the excuse because race was the cancer of the 1970s. It didnt seem to matter that much (most, all) of the White population were "African" by birth and family lineage for generations of 200+ years. Yes the White minority held the majority of governmental power; but the Rhodesian military (and police) was both heavily Black and White and all RHODESIAN. The Rhodesian military was perhaps 80% Black. They werent forced to serve, there was no draft. Conversely the guerillas were attacking from Mozambique and Zambia with the support of both major Communist world powers... and the west looked away. It wasnt only nations that abandoned Rhodesia. The United Methodist Church launched a campaign against Rhodesia. Their campaign was based on ignorance with little to no actual onsite knowledge. Facts didnt seem to matter to an organization that claims to have God on their side. (BTW they were the same folks who pushed for gun control re- emphasis on handgun control in the US). It wasnt ONLY the Methodist, other denominations including Roman Catholics also launched campaigns of ignorance against Rhodesia and all White Africans. It didnt seen to matter that the Dutch first settled at Capetown in 1650. Imagine that, 300 years of families living and building and dying there; but somehow they werent African enough.
The two guerilla leaders Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo each supposedly fighting for a democratic Rhodesia, were also at odds with each other. In the end when Mugabe ultimately "won", he had Nkomo killed to eliminate any threat. Rhodesia which had been the "Bread Basket" of Africa and provided more wheat to the continent than any other country, slumped into an economic crash.
Can anyone tell me which side WON the Bush war? Its just my opinion, but 40+ years later it looks like nobody won. Rhodesia now Zimbabwe is a failed state. They thwart international business investments with Stalinist taxing and mandatory requirements that citizens must own the majority share of any business. As their economy failed they printed over paper money with larger denominations until even that failed. Then they decided to use US currency as the foundation for their economy. That was interesting idea until the old bills shredded from age. When you visit Zimbabwe you will be asked to use your paper US dollars to add new bills. Dont be surprised if someone wants to sell you old Rhodesian bills as "a collectors item". They may be collectable, but they are as worthless as Confederate money.
Apologies for the rant. Its just that I remember Rhodesia. It wasnt perfect. It needed to change and was on a path to change, Maybe not fast enough, what change ever comes fast enough; but changes come slow when a nation is at war. Now back to your regularly scheduled topic
Ask around and I'm sure you will discover most of the bush troops with A5s tossed their friction brakes. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they were shipped to Rhodesia without them.
