#Burma
The Old And The Ancient
It’s unfortunate that when tabletop volumes or works of fine journalism cover the weapons used in a particular time or place, they always seem to paint a nice neat picture: M16A1s squared off against AK-47s in Vietnam, Lee-Enfields against Mausers in the Boer Wars, and of course Martini-Henrys against spears in Isandlwana. A more clear picture of history accounts for older weapons used along with the state-of-the-art: Berdan rifles were pressed into service in World War II, Lee-Enfield rifles continue to be fired in anger in Afghanistan, and Mongol riders still use snaphaunce flintlocks.
It’s then surprising, but not shocking, to see in use by Burmese police forces, alongside Colt 603 AR-15s, a Greener Police Gun… Or even two or three:
Claymore's Adventures: Chinese Colt Clones And A Tiny Bodyguard
Editor’s note: Claymore’s career took many interesting twists and turn. His first article for TFB, about the rare AK rifles he discovered deep in the jungle, can be read here. This article discusses his interaction with child soldiers, a sensitive subject. Neither the author nor this blog endorses the use of children in war.
What Chinese Private Military Contractors Carry
These photos are were purportedly taken by a Chinese Private Military Contractor of other Chinese PMCs protecting Chinese interests in Burma. Chinese businesses own a lot of farm land and many quarries on the Burmese side of the border which are used to fuel the Western Chinese economy.
United Wa State Army Acquires M99 12.7mm Anti-Material Rifle
The United Wa State Army has acquired a number of M99 12.7mm Anti-Material Rifles from China, reports China Defense Blog. These semi-automatic rifles are either chambered in 12.7x108mm Russian or in .50 BMG.
China Supplies QBZ-03 Rifle to United Wa State Army
China appears to be supplying QBZ-03 / Type 03 rifles to the United Wa State Army. These rifles along were among the weapons on display at a celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the Wa mutiny against the Communist Party of Burma. China, it seems, does not play favorites and is quite willing to supply both the Burmese (Myanmar) government as well as the minority armies, also called the “cease fire groups”, inside the country.
