Dha, Viet Nam, Laos, Hmong

Jim McDougall · 27th October 2020, 04:40 AM

Ian, thank you so much for responding on this. SE Asia is really far out of my league in collecting and study, though I have found the material you and others have written here over the years fascinating.

Years ago when I got this, I knew of course it was very modern but was curious to see what could learn from it. The research was interesting but clearly a bit of course as the people I contacted were simply responding to the photos of the sword and trying to link it to the circumstances of their situation as Hmong refugees.

I very much appreciate your explanations on these markings and details on these swords.

Despite this being an apparent 'tourist' item, clearly a common thing with weapons from these regions, its inherent value as a bring back from Viet Nam by an American GI gives it a certain character. Those were hard times, and while troubling to remember, important to understand better now.

27th October 2020, 04:40 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Ian, thank you so much for responding on this. SE Asia is really far out of my league in collecting and study, though I have found the material you and others have written here over the years fascinating. Years ago when I got this, I knew of course it was very modern but was curious to see what could learn from it. The research was interesting but clearly a bit of course as the people I contacted were simply responding to the photos of the sword and trying to link it to the circumstances of their situation as Hmong refugees. I very much appreciate your explanations on these markings and details on these swords. Despite this being an apparent 'tourist' item, clearly a common thing with weapons from these regions, its inherent value as a bring back from Viet Nam by an American GI gives it a certain character. Those were hard times, and while troubling to remember, important to understand better now.