Excellent idea Vandoo!
I remember many years ago I bought a sword from a very well known and prominant catalog dealer, and not having nearly enough money I used the old layaway method (not many credit cards then). After completing my payments several months later, I was anxious to receive my new acquisition. Somehow the sword had inadvertantly been sold from under me....the dealer was not only distressed but did everything he could to make it up to me, including selling me instead a fantastic sword from his own collection as well as making me an outstanding deal on another. He revealed the buyer also, who turned out to be a collector with the exact same interest as me, and best of all, he was living not only in my state, but a few miles from me! We became great friends and with our shared interest, began collecting together in the same field as well as studying the swords together. Eventually, I ended up acquiring the piece that had put us together in the first place!
He went on to become extremely prominant himself in arms and armour, and we still keep in touch though my field of study is quite expanded from those early days
Just because a weapon is lost in one auction or sale, certainly does not mean it will not become available at another time. Some of these weapons, as most will agree, have been held in many collections and seeing them turn up is sometimes like seeing an old friend.
All very best regards Vandoo, and happy new year!! Hope its a great one for your always intriguing acquisitions! For some reason I can never get that picture of you wearing the American Indian war bonnet outa my head!!!
Jim