Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. The Việt Cộng also known as the National Liberation Front, was a mass political organization in South Vietnam and Cambodia with its own army – the People's Liberation Armed Forces of South Vietnam (PLAF) – that fought against the United States and South Vietnamese governments during the Vietnam War, eventually emerging on the winning side. It had both guerrilla and regular army units, as well as a network of cadres who organized peasants in the territory it controlled. Many soldiers were recruited in South Vietnam, but others were attached to the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), the regular North Vietnamese army.
This set belonged to a member of the Viet Cong and consists of Vietnamese, Chinese and Soviet manufactured items. Each item was more than likely brought back as trophies of war.
Included in this extremely rare set are the following:
- VC Black Uniform Shirt With Pin
- VC Scarf
- VC / Chinese Ammunition Chest Rig and Grenade Pouch With INERT MkII Practice Grenade
- VC Rucksack
- Soviet Style Messkit Tin
- 1965 Dated Uniform Web Belt: This item actually has a tag present on it stating when and where it came from. It was given to an individual by 2nd Lt. Doug Monroe. Monroe retrieved the belt from a “recently” dispatched VC soldier.
- Klewang Style Sword/Machete With Canvas “Theater Made” Scabbard: This 30 inch edged weapon was used for brush clearing and or combat operations. The blade does have the appearance having been taken from a Dutch KNIL M-1898/1911 Klewang Cutlass, though lack of information and markings on the blade itself makes it difficult to determine the origin. It is in wonderful condition and has a 5 ¾” “field replaced” hilt assembly.
Lastly the whole ensemble came to us on a mannequin torso which is also included with the grouping, making this a fantastic “ready-to-display” set! Comes more than ready for further research and display.
The grenade is inert and can never be used as an explosive device. This example complies with BATF guidelines regarding inert ordnance and is Not Available For Export.
During the First Indochina War (1946 –1954), Vietnam War (1955–1975), Cambodian–Vietnamese War (1977–1989), Sino-Vietnamese War (1979) and the Sino-Vietnamese conflicts 1979– 1991 (1979–1991), the Vietnam People's Ground Force relied almost entirely on Soviet-derived weapons and equipment systems. With the end of the Cold War in 1992 Soviet military equipment subsidies ended and Vietnam began the use of hard currency and barter to buy weapons and equipment.
Vietnam prioritizes economic development and growth while maintaining defense spending. The government does not conduct procurement phases or major upgrades of weapons. From the end of the 1990s the Government of Vietnam has announced the acquisition of a number of strategic systems equipped with modern weapons. Accordingly, Vietnam has been slow to develop naval and air forces to control shallow waters and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Currently most defense procurement programs focus on remedying this priority. For example, Vietnam has purchased a number of combat aircraft and warships with the capability to operate in high seas. Vietnam also plans to develop its defense industry, with priority placed on the Navy, combined with assistance from its former communist allies, India, and Japan.
Since 2015, Vietnam has begun exploring purchases of U.S. and European weapons while facing numerous political, historical, and financial barriers, as they cannot continue to rely on Soviet and Chinese weapons especially due to the increasing tensions in the South China Sea dispute.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.
All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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