Preservation vs. restoration - opinions?

[S.Al-Anizi]

Originally Posted by FenrisWolf

I know that in the Middle East the re-hilting of blades is not uncommon; one of the great treasures is finding a kaskara with a captured Crusader's sword blade in its mounts, and european blades in Middle Eastern fittings are a byword. So where is the line drawn on such restorations?

Fenris

Very interesting topic. I guess for the middle east, because the usage of swords remained even to the early 20th century in some areas. Restoration by re-fitting and polishing blades is something natural to them, not a taboo, as it is to us collectors.