The revolvers presented by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to NATO leaders during the Ankara Summit were more than ceremonial gifts-they carried symbolic and cultural significance rooted in a long-standing Turkish tradition.

Şevki Yasin, the manufacturer of the Gümüşay revolver, said that gifting firearms to distinguished foreign guests has deep historical roots in Türkiye, The Caspian Post reports via Yeni Şafak.

"The revolver is a weapon associated with leadership and authority throughout history. Türkiye has traditionally presented firearms to foreign leaders, and the choice of the Gümüşay is especially meaningful because it is entirely designed and manufactured in Türkiye using domestic resources," Yasin said.

Earlier, Politico reported that Erdoğan presented NATO leaders with engraved Gümüşay revolvers in commemorative cases that also included live ammunition and export permits.

The gifts reportedly sparked legal questions, as the laws of several countries restrict or prohibit the import of functional firearms, even when given as official diplomatic presents.

The Gümüşay is regarded as Türkiye's first domestically produced revolver manufactured in limited numbers by the Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE), the country's leading state-owned defense company. The revolver is based on the design of the American Colt Python and is chambered for .357 Magnum cartridges while also being compatible with .38 Special ammunition.