Unusual Hmong musket

Cerjak · 17th June 2015, 03:54 PM

Hi Bandook

Thank you for you comment and pictures from your 2 nice exemplars.
This gun had been bring back by the father of the previous owner before the end of the French protectorate of Laos. I can see from the stock length that the barrel is in his original size .
I have already seen one similar short exemplar but they are definitely not common in this size
It has a nice wood patina who attest a real age for this piece ,my guess is late 19 th century or early 20 th century.
If you have the possibility it would be great to see some close pictures from your muskets ( lock and stock )
Best
CERJAK

Cerjak · 17th June 2015, 04:07 PM

more exemplar found from the net.

I ‘m astonish that they is not much literature about this type of musket. Even I did not find this musket in the George Cameron Stone's A Glossary .

ward · 17th June 2015, 05:01 PM

These are always interesting guns. You will find them with barrel bands made of brass, cooper, silver, and aluminum. They are not rifled. Some of the barrels will have Chinese manufacturing marks. I have a ammunition set that contains m16 bullets that were recovered to use in this gun, also Thai black powder caps that were used in the pan. These are still used in that part of the world I have been told. The detachable lock is fascinating in its simplicity. Dating these things are difficult. 1800-1990.

trenchwarfare · 18th June 2015, 03:33 AM

Very nice gun. I've not seen one this small. I have four, and the two smallest ones are about 120CM. They are both dainty, compared to the other two. I agree, it was made for a very small statured person. Even the pistol grip is small. The action, however is normal size. Information on these, is very hard to find. The only book reference I know of is in "Stone". Most have/had, a Monkey hide frizzen cover. One of mine has a priming flask, and one, has a complete compliment of "possibles". Including a silver priming flask, with silver chain. Thanks for posting.

Cerjak · 18th June 2015, 05:49 PM

Hi trenchwarfare
Very nice collection !
It seems you have found the factory

It has took me 2 years to find one and you have 4 units

Best

Cerjak

ward · 18th June 2015, 07:13 PM

These guns are relatively common in usa. I have owned about 15 or so thru the years. They are interesting guns. Nice to see others like them.

trenchwarfare · 19th June 2015, 01:17 AM

Maybe it's a regional thing, but I don't find them to be common at all. I own four, of the six I've seen. Two were priced over my head. Of the six, Only three were seen locally. (one at a show in Mississippi) The others were found online. My first one, was a gift, from my wife's grandfather. He flew "Spook" missions in Southeast Asia. Traded who knows what, to a CIA type for it. Sad thing is, the guy also had a pair of pistols! They were wearing a hair-on, water buffalo hide western style holster rig. The Colonel could have traded for them as well, but didn't.

17th June 2015, 04:07 PM	#2
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	other exemplar more exemplar found from the net. I ‘m astonish that they is not much literature about this type of musket. Even I did not find this musket in the George Cameron Stone's A Glossary . Attached Images

18th June 2015, 03:33 AM	#4
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Very nice gun. I've not seen one this small. I have four, and the two smallest ones are about 120CM. They are both dainty, compared to the other two. I agree, it was made for a very small statured person. Even the pistol grip is small. The action, however is normal size. Information on these, is very hard to find. The only book reference I know of is in "Stone". Most have/had, a Monkey hide frizzen cover. One of mine has a priming flask, and one, has a complete compliment of "possibles". Including a silver priming flask, with silver chain. Thanks for posting. Attached Images

18th June 2015, 05:49 PM	#5
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	where is the factory ? Hi trenchwarfare Very nice collection ! It seems you have found the factory It has took me 2 years to find one and you have 4 units Best Cerjak

18th June 2015, 07:13 PM	#6
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	These guns are relatively common in usa. I have owned about 15 or so thru the years. They are interesting guns. Nice to see others like them. Attached Images

17th June 2015, 03:54 PM	#1
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	Hi Bandook Thank you for you comment and pictures from your 2 nice exemplars. This gun had been bring back by the father of the previous owner before the end of the French protectorate of Laos. I can see from the stock length that the barrel is in his original size . I have already seen one similar short exemplar but they are definitely not common in this size It has a nice wood patina who attest a real age for this piece ,my guess is late 19 th century or early 20 th century. If you have the possibility it would be great to see some close pictures from your muskets ( lock and stock ) Best CERJAK

17th June 2015, 05:01 PM	#3
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	These are always interesting guns. You will find them with barrel bands made of brass, cooper, silver, and aluminum. They are not rifled. Some of the barrels will have Chinese manufacturing marks. I have a ammunition set that contains m16 bullets that were recovered to use in this gun, also Thai black powder caps that were used in the pan. These are still used in that part of the world I have been told. The detachable lock is fascinating in its simplicity. Dating these things are difficult. 1800-1990.

19th June 2015, 01:17 AM	#7
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Maybe it's a regional thing, but I don't find them to be common at all. I own four, of the six I've seen. Two were priced over my head. Of the six, Only three were seen locally. (one at a show in Mississippi) The others were found online. My first one, was a gift, from my wife's grandfather. He flew "Spook" missions in Southeast Asia. Traded who knows what, to a CIA type for it. Sad thing is, the guy also had a pair of pistols! They were wearing a hair-on, water buffalo hide western style holster rig. The Colonel could have traded for them as well, but didn't.