The Cold War Peace rifle: The US sells Khrushchev's gift

To spread: Nikita Khrushchev rifle lifted the then US Secretary of Defense in peace. But three years later, the world was on the verge of nuclear war. In the US, a unique weapon was auctioned. Hunting rifle with gold jewelry was a gift of Soviet Secretary General Nikita Khrushchev, US Defense Minister Nile McAllra in 1959 and had to demonstrate his readiness for peaceful coexistence of the USSR and the United States. However, the Caribbean crisis began soon. About it writes Daily Mail.

The exquisite double -barrel gun was one of two, transferred to the Soviet dictator during his unprecedented state visit to America in September 1959. The second Khrushchev presented President Dwight Eisenhower. During his 12-day visit, Khrushchev declared his desire to "reach the best relationship between our two countries and to promote peace around the world.

" Thank you Khrushchev, McAlro called the gun "beautiful" and expressed his hope that "the firearms that our two countries will use in the future should not be longer than this gun to preserve peace around the world. " However, three years later, in October 1962, Khrushchev's decision to place Soviet missiles in Cuba put a world on the border of a nuclear conflict, which became known as the Caribbean crisis.

The rifle, which is reported, is in perfect condition, sold through the US dealer Raab Collection for $ 125,000. It was made in Izhevsk and decorated with hunting scenes on gold plates. Nathan Raab, President of the Raab Collection, said: "This is a wonderful discovery and a wonderful artifact from the decisive moment in the history of the great powers of the 20th century. " Khrushchev's trip was the first case when the head of the Soviet state received an invitation to the White House.

It happened just a few weeks after the visit of the US Vice President Richard Nixon to Moscow. Khrushchev, in addition to rifles, brought to the United States his wife Nina, daughters Yulia and Rada, son of Sergiy and son -in -law Alexei, and presented vodka and domes. And President Eisenhower gave a state dinner in the White House, while Khrushchev and his family made a trip to the country.

Although Khrushchev arose a lot of optimism after a successful visit to improve diplomatic relations, the progress went on a decline next year. On May 1, 1960, the Soviet troops knocked down an American reconnaissance aircraft U2, which further exacerbated tension. Eisenhower's successor as President John F. Kennedy was in the White House when a Caribbean crisis broke out two years later, which set the world more close to the nuclear war.

After the failure of America's attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro Cuban leader allowed the Soviet Union to place nuclear missiles in Cuba, placing warheads in the area of ​​light damage to most of the US territory. President John F. Kennedy told the Americans on TV broadcasts on October 22, 1962, which in response to the United States would install a blockade around the island to force Castro and Khrushchev to remove rockets.

On October 24, 1962, another key point came when the Soviet ships heading to Cuba approached the line of US ships. The attempt to break through the blockade would probably lead to a military confrontation, but the Soviet ships retreated. A 35-year-old pilot of a whipped aircraft, Major Rudolf Anderson, is considered to be the only US fighting victim in the Caribbean.

Throughout the intense confrontation of Khrushchev and Kennedy, they maintained communication to try to avoid any military escalation between the two superpowers. As a result, the USSR agreed to withdraw their missiles in exchange for the promise of America not to invade Cuba. The United States also secretly promised to remove outdated missiles from Turkey. Both sides declared a victory to give the crisis a positive PR.