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Overview

Track your arms and armor collection with detailed fields for item type, era, maker, material, and condition. Perfect for collectors of historical weapons, military antiques, edged weapons, and armor.

Arms & Armor Features

  • Item type classification
  • Era and period dating
  • Maker/manufacturer identification
  • Material and construction
  • Condition assessment
  • Provenance and history
  • Market value tracking

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Adding Arms & Armor

1

Navigate to Add Item

Click “Add Item” from your dashboard or go to storehouses.app/add
2

Select Arms & Armor

Choose “Arms & Armor” as the category
3

Enter Details

Fill in item type, era, maker, material, and condition
4

Add Documentation

Upload photos and provenance documentation
5

Save

Click “Save Item” to add to your collection

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Arms & Armor Fields

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Identification

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Type or classification of the itemEdged Weapons:
  • Sword (longsword, rapier, saber, katana)
  • Dagger
  • Knife
  • Bayonet
  • Polearm (halberd, pike, lance)
Firearms:
  • Pistol
  • Rifle
  • Musket
  • Revolver
  • Shotgun
Armor:
  • Helmet
  • Breastplate
  • Gauntlets
  • Full suit of armor
  • Shield
  • Chainmail
Other:
  • Military equipment
  • Accessories
  • Insignia
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Time period or era of the itemExamples:
  • Medieval (500-1500 CE)
  • Renaissance (1400-1600)
  • 17th Century
  • American Civil War (1861-1865)
  • World War I (1914-1918)
  • World War II (1939-1945)
  • Edo Period Japan (1603-1868)
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Maker, manufacturer, or armorerExamples:
  • Wilkinson Sword
  • Samuel Colt
  • Springfield Armory
  • Unknown German maker
  • Attributed to Augsburg workshops
  • Imperial Japanese Arsenal

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Physical Details

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Primary materials of constructionExamples:
  • Steel blade with brass guard
  • Blued steel and walnut
  • Damascus steel
  • Iron with leather fittings
  • Bronze and steel
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Overall condition of the itemGrading:
  • Excellent - Exceptional, minimal wear
  • Very Good - Light wear, well preserved
  • Good - Some wear, structurally sound
  • Fair - Notable wear or damage
  • Poor - Significant damage or deterioration
Condition notes should include:
  • Blade/barrel condition
  • Surface patina
  • Any repairs or restorations
  • Functionality (if applicable)
  • Missing parts
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History and previous ownershipInclude:
  • Military unit or officer (if known)
  • Previous collectors
  • Auction history
  • Documentation or certificates
  • Historical significance

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Types of Arms & Armor

Edged Weapons

  • Swords and sabers
  • Daggers and dirks
  • Bayonets
  • Knives
  • Polearms
  • Japanese blades

Firearms

  • Antique pistols
  • Military rifles
  • Muskets
  • Revolvers
  • Flintlocks
  • Percussion arms

Armor

  • Helmets
  • Breastplates
  • Gauntlets
  • Full armor suits
  • Chainmail
  • Shields

Military Antiques

  • Uniforms
  • Medals and decorations
  • Equipment
  • Documents
  • Insignia

Asian Arms

  • Katana and wakizashi
  • Chinese swords
  • Samurai armor
  • Asian polearms

Ethnographic Arms

  • African weapons
  • Tribal arms
  • Colonial era pieces
  • Indigenous weapons

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Tracking Examples

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Example 1: Civil War Sword

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Model 1860 Light Cavalry Saber
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Cavalry saber
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American Civil War (1861-1865)
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Ames Manufacturing Company
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Steel blade, brass guard, leather-wrapped grip
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Very Good
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Attributed to 3rd Ohio Volunteer Cavalry Found in estate sale, 2015

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Example 2: Japanese Katana

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Edo Period Katana - Signed Blade
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Katana (long sword)
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Edo Period (c. 1750)
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Signed: Bishu Osafune Sukesada
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Folded steel blade, iron tsuba, silk wrap
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Excellent
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NBTHK certified, Hozon papers Original koshirae (mountings) Blade length: 70.5 cm

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Example 3: Medieval Armor Piece

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German Gothic Sallet Helmet
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Sallet (helmet)
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Late 15th Century (c. 1480)
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Attributed to Augsburg workshops
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Steel with traces of original patina
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Good
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Ex-collection of Baron von H., Germany Sotheby’s London, 1995 Current owner since 1995

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Best Practices

Create complete records:
  • Measurements and specifications
  • Maker’s marks and stamps
  • Serial numbers (if applicable)
  • Historical attributions
  • Previous owners and provenance
  • Expert opinions or certificates
Detailed documentation helps with authentication and insurance
Capture detailed photos:
  • Overall views (multiple angles)
  • Maker’s marks and signatures
  • Blade/barrel details
  • Condition issues
  • Scale reference
  • Any accessories
Good photography is essential for insurance and potential sales
Protect your collection:
  • Climate-controlled storage
  • Avoid humidity extremes
  • Proper supports and stands
  • Light oiling for steel (careful with antiques)
  • Secure storage for firearms
Never clean antiques without expert advice - original patina is valuable
For valuable pieces:
  • Consult specialists
  • Obtain written opinions
  • Check for known fakes in the category
  • Verify provenance claims
  • Consider professional appraisal

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Common Questions

Valuation resources:
  • Specialist auction results (Bonhams, Rock Island)
  • Dealer pricing
  • Price guides and references
  • Professional appraisals
  • Collector community knowledge
Factors affecting value:
  • Rarity and historical significance
  • Maker attribution
  • Condition
  • Provenance
  • Completeness (original parts)
  • Documentation
Generally, no:
  • Original patina is valuable
  • Amateur restoration destroys value
  • Cleaning can be irreversible
  • Consult conservators for any work
Safe maintenance:
  • Light dusting only
  • Careful handling
  • Climate control
  • Professional conservation when needed
Authentication resources:
  • NBTHK (Japanese certification)
  • NTHK (alternative certification)
  • Specialist dealers
  • Published references
  • Expert opinions
Papers to look for:
  • Hozon (worthy of preservation)
  • Tokubetsu Hozon (especially worthy)
  • Juyo (important)

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Next Steps

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