Kind of a Mystery

[Joe]

This was a gift to my Grandfather from an unknown (to me) tribe while he was in the Military. Looks to be hand carved. I cocked it once years ago trying to figure out how it works. It's never been fired by me. The quiver, arrows and bow are in good shape. Wish I knew a bit more of it's history. When my Grandfather died in 1977 one of his so called collector friends barged in and demanded to buy it. My Grandmother refused. After all, we hadn't even buried him yet.  Any help or direction you good folks can offer would be greatly appreciated. ~j

http://s1303.beta.photobucket.com/user/zellasbar/media/IMG_9412.jpg.html (for all photos)

[bubby]

good pic of the arrows but need a better pic of the weapon itself, sorry about the JERK,"friend", that same thing happened to a good friend of mine, Bub

[Pat B]

Joe contacted me yesterday because I have a crossbow just like this one that was his Grandfather's. I bought mine at a flea market many years ago for probably $5. The similarity are amazing between the one I have and Joe's. The plant fiber strings are similar, the wood is the same, the trigger is similar, the cross section of the bow and the shape are similar. Even the stocks are similar but not quite the same. It appears to me that both crossbows came from the same region but were made by different builders.

[Joe]

Thanks guys - I posted a few more pics Bub but I don't know if they're any better than the others. And thanks Pat! I was excited to see your crossbow because I had never seen another which resembled mine - at all - I think you did quite good on your flea market find. Where's Antiques Road Show when you need em? 

[randman]

Looks like a Vietnamese or SE Asian crossbow to me. Lots of guys brought them back from the war and I've heard they were actually used in some instances by the Viet Cong and rigged in traps and stuff.

[Joe]

That would make sense randman since he did serve in Vietnam. I was leaning towards the Philippines since that's what Pat suspected his weapon was from. Plus, Grandpa had been there as well. Just from looking at the patina of the piece it looks to have been used - but not much - Thanks for you input. 

[Josh Wilson]

Yes, Vietnamese would be my guess.

[killir duck]

that's pretty cool

[Pat B]

The Phillipeans came to my mind because the wood looks like a type of mohogany but I guess there are types of mahogany all over S E Asia. Joe's crossbow and mine could easily be from Viet Nam. I have no history with mine beyond the flea market 25 or so years ago. I would like to know it's history.

[DarkSoul]

The Phillipeans came to my mind because the wood looks like a type of mohogany but I guess there are types of mahogany all over S E Asia.

Interesting statement, since genuine mahogany does not come from Asia! The true mahogany genus Swietenia is indigenous to south- and central America. Another plant genus, commenly named '(African) mahogany' by timber suppliers, is the plant genus  Khaya from Africa.
There are undoubtedly woods that are misnamed 'mahogany' in Asia, but the statement "looks like mahogany, so it could be from Asia" is a false statement. None of the commenly traded timbers in our regions that are called mahogany come from Asia.

[Pappy]

I also have one that came from Nam is the mid 60's that look a lot like that one,
bolts and quiver also look about the same,maybe a little smaller. Mine is really dark,wood is almost black and arrows are boo slivers fletched with some type of leaf. Very cool. It didn't have a string.
   Pappy

[Joe]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Does anyone have a guess on how to assess the value of this? I am curious to know what if any potential buyers are out there. ~joe