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.
|