Modernizing the Documentation of Historical Weapons Collections

[dana_w]

Fellow collectors,

I'm working on a project to preserve and share information about my father's (Frederick Eugene "Jack" Williams III) collection of antique weapons, and I'd like to invite you to be part of a larger initiative this could become.

Screenshot 1: Current weaponscollector.com site


A small portion of the collection has been documented at weaponscollector.com, but I've been challenged by how to best organize and document the pieces.

Screenshot 2: New Omeka-S based site under development


I'm rebuilding the site using Omeka-S, a platform designed for digital collections and museums. The exciting part is that I'm developing a standardized way of describing weapons that anyone could use for their own collection. It combines:

1. Standard museum documentation practices (using CIDOC CRM)
2. General cultural heritage properties (from the Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus)
3. Specialized classification systems for different weapon types

Weapons Vocabulary Class Diagram from above


The diagram shows how we're organizing different weapon types and their properties. For example, a sword entry would include both general properties (materials, provenance, markings) and specific details (blade length, guard style, pommel type).

This approach means:

• Each piece can be thoroughly documented
• Information can be easily shared between collections and databases
• The site works well on phones and tablets
• Data can be used by researchers and institutions
• Other collectors can use the same system for their collections

The Vision:
Imagine if multiple collectors used this same system to document their collections. We could:

• Create a network of virtual museums
• Make it easier to research and compare pieces across collections
• Preserve detailed information about pieces even after they change hands
• Build a valuable reference resource for the community

This is where you come in:
I'd really appreciate your expertise on what properties and classifications would be most useful for different weapon types. For instance:

• Are there important characteristics missing from any category?
• Should certain weapon types be classified differently?
• What measurements or details do you find most valuable when documenting pieces?
• Would you consider using this system for your own collection?

For those interested in the technical details:

• About Omeka-S: https://omeka.org/s/
• About CIDOC CRM: https://www.cidoc-crm.org/
• About DPLA: https://dp.la/

Thank you for any suggestions on improving this system. The goal is to create something that serves both individual collectors and the broader community while preserving the history of these fascinating pieces.

Best regards,
Dana