Viet Cong Rifle & Pistol
 

Here are two new additions to my Viet Cong collection. No, there is no documentation, as to their authenticity. But, considering the other weapons they came with, and general construction, I feel confident they are authentic.

The rifle is most likely in 7.62x39 caliber. It is a straight blow back, slam fire. Looks similar to the MAS 36, and 1903 Springfield. The pistol looks to be .32 caliber, and is missing it's extractor, and back strap. Grips are water buffalo horn.

These sort of guns always interest me, I wonder if they must have been made early in the war, I always thought the VC were well supplied with AK47s.

The row started with the French in 1946; I expect that these pieces date to that time period . I doubt Russia would have been supplying AK's to other communist uprisings so soon after the end of WWII .

These are nice. The pistol is very cool.

Early on, the Viet Minh, and Viet Cong, were pretty much dependent on French colonial and left over WWII weapons. The steady supply of Communist weapons didn't start till the early .60s. The design of the latch on the pistol, looks borrowed from the Webley.

So do you have a model 1873 MAS 11mm revolver in your stash ?
Those must have been fairly plentiful early on in the conflict .

No Rick, but I have owned a few. Wasn't collecting V.C. when I had them. Maybe now, I have an excuse to keep one! They are really cool revolvers. In fact, a friend just picked one up. An officer's model. Maybe I can trade him out it, at the show this weekend.

They are fun to shoot . :)