In all my years of collecting (just a few decades) as much more historian than collector, the swords I acquired were dark, often slightly damaged, but intact and reflected the toll of time and whatever rough handling they experienced.
The most exciting were those with apparent battle damage (one yataghan had taken a ball at the fittings of the hilt), some were clearly battlefield pickups and relics. These I would NOT touch or 'clean up' obviously.
The only care I usually afford a weapon is to stop active rust or corrosion and apply wood and leather care as required to stabilize .
I was often chided for buying these 'dogs dinner' weapons(as they were called by scoffing others often), but these had stories to tell
and THEY HAVE!
Years of research often revealed amazing details of where and what these weapons experienced.
This would NOT have been possible had they been ' given new life' by being dismantled and hopelessly altered.
In a trip to Athens many years ago, as I walked through the stately ruin of the Parthenon, I quipped, 'a little work here and there, maybe some fresh paint'
.....the gasps around me were telling. Imagine! New life?
All of these swords I acquired were rough (lucky for me with my meager resources)......but honestly.......my EXACT thoughts were that I was rescuing them from the very fate of this old nimcha! They have remained in my charge ever since, safe from being dishonored with the removal of their well earned wear.
Im glad this thread came up, as it is a topic that perhaps need to be more addressed, and again I regret having to do so at Jacenty's expense, as I think he meant well, and not to deceive (but many do).
I rest my case.