The 9mm Makarov (9x18mm) caliber, 8-shot, semi-automatic, double-action, straight blowback pistol was adopted by the Soviet Union in 1951, to replace older 7.62x25mm Tokarev pistol. Production at Izhevsk factory continued through 1992, following the fall of the USSR. Makarov has a 3.68" barrel and mechanically similar to Walther PP/PPK series of pistols. Makarovs began to arrive in the U.S. in 1993, but due to the 1994 voluntary trade restriction of Russian military arms, importation was halted by 1995. All military versions have red-checkered plastic grips, with the circled star in the center. Makarov was licensed for production in China and Soviet satellites of East Germany and Bulgaria. Manufacture date and Izshevsk factory marking are found on the left frame, with serial number on both left slide flat and frame. Those dated in the 1950s are seldom seen. NOTE: Add 40 percent for those dated 1959 or earlier. The small quantity of Russian variants sold to East Germany in 1980s—some having German post-unification proof marks—will bring a 30 percent premium. These are also marked "Germany". Some imports marked with "Bulgaria" are known as "sneak" model that mistakenly entered the U.S. and will bring a 20 percent premium. Non-import marked specimens are highly desirable, especially if accompanied by military capture papers, and will raise prices considerably.