posted by Chris @ 5/13/2005 08:00:00 PM  
Filipino Gunsmiths Are Making a Killing

"Self-taught gunsmiths in the Philippines are churning out faithful working replicas of combat arms, from Israeli UZIs to 45-caliber handguns and KG-9 assault rifles used by Navy SEALs."

I visited the PI (as the Philippine Islands are known to the U.S. Navy and Marines) more than a few times during WestPacs with MEUSOCs in the late 1980s. Each time we went to the field to train, a variety of vendors would set up camp nearby to sell "bush bunnies," lumpia and rice, and knives!

This story about the gunsmiths reminded me of the resourcefulness of the Filipino people and their struggles to earn a meager existence. The locals had a variety of knives available to barter for food (MREs) and other items. These knives were made from scratch. Filipinos would scavenge old auto coil springs for the steel blades. The handles were made from water buffalo horns or brass from empty shell casings. The knife (photo above) has a handle made from the plastics of an automobile interior.

My friend traded his Burger King digital watch for a machete and a couple of knives. I think I traded a can of tuna and a pair of cammie bottoms for the couple of knives I have.

Another friend traded a pair of cammies for a bush bunny, but that's another story.

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