Item Description
Original Items: One of a Kind. The Hmong People of Loas were allies to the Americans during the Vietnam War, fighting against the North Vietnamese Army, which was invading Loas, and the Communist Pathet Lao Forces. During the War, many Hmong tribesman were enlisted to assist the Special Forces as indigenous forces in fighting the NVA and the Pathet Lao. Special Forces personnel who served closely with the Hmong, and the Montagnards of South Vietnam, tended to bring home Hmong and Montagnard items as Souvenirs of working closely with these small ethnic groups.
What we are offering in this grouping is a unique set which consists of a traditional Hmong Crossbow, a woven hunting vest, arrows for the Crossbow, and two Hmong short swords. The vest is the first of its type we have ever had the pleasure of offering. Unfortunately there is no attribution as to what serviceman brought these items home from Southeast Asia. We can say, however, is that the methods of construction, and the age of the items, is concurrent with other articles we have handled in the past which were souvenired from the period of the Vietnam War.
The lot consists of:
-Scarce Hmong Hunting Vest constructed of woven reeds. The vest is intended to be worn on the front of the wearer (of the back depending on preference). The vest consists of three pockets (One large center pocket, and two smaller side pockets). The vest has two shoulder straps, and a length of handwoven crude multipurpose twine which has been wrapped around the main pocket of the vest for a very long time. In the smaller pockets of the vest, which appear to have been used as quivers, are arrows; Nine Long Arrows in one side (ranging from 13”-16” each in length), and on the other side a bamboo quiver containing five short arrows (approximately 12” long each). The vest overall is in excellent condition for its age, with the expected wear from honest period use, and decades in storage.
-The crossbow is in the traditional Hmong style. Constructed of a South Asian hardwood, the stock of the bow is decoratively carved with various designs and patterns. The handmade woven bowstring is original and completely intact, as is the original wooden trigger assembly. The bow measures approximately 35” x 18”.
-Two Short Swords. One with a crude iron blade fitted into a handle with a decorative design carved into it The first sword measures approximately 22 ¾” long overall, with a 12 ¼ “ blade. The second sword, which is of similar construction measures approximately 18 ¾” long in overall length, with a blade length of approximately 14”. The Second sword comes with its original decoratively carved wooden sheath. The sheath is split, however, and is lashed together with heavy period thread.
This is a unique and unusual set of Hmong souvenirs which would appeal to the collector of ethnographic items, or to the collector of Vietnam War militaria!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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