Quote: Is their worth found in craftsmanship, aesthetic beauty, or perhaps the legendary aura we project onto them? Are these objects truly part of our cultural heritage or only a select few? Or are they simply "big boys toys"?
Should we be actively studying and documenting them, or simply preserving them temporarily before letting them go without attaching our names or destinies to them?
What do you think?[/QUOTE]
My answer is YES we should and they are. As a limited data base, I think it really boils down to why we visit the Forum as individuals: collectors, students, researchers, lurkers, members of the Forum Community, or just passingly interested in antique arms. It also depends on their collecting goals, means, age and personality. The Forum really has relatively few active collectors. Many have an accumulation of weapons from over the years. Most viewers are just interested in the discussions and dialogue.
As a daily lurker I read posts from all the above. Collectors may accumulate via types and sometimes their variations. Some buy what may suit their current fancy and then may ask the Experts about origin, age, etc. Some few collect types that may support their ethnic background or a regional or historic interest. Most of us cannot afford the really high end items in museums of elite specialized collections.
I think few if any care about personal cultural heritage as the original. owners are unknown and long dead. Interesting culture, but not my own.
Best regards,
Ed
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