Q1: Yes.
Q2: No. Many would, but I don't know about a majority.
Q3: This knowledge of culture/history/society tells you about the item in context, about the use of the item, the meaning of the item. I think that is an enormous bonus, without which the item can only be appreciated for its aesthetics or perceived monetary/status value. (And for arms intended for use, "handling" is surely part of the aesthetics - how can this be appreciated with no context?)
But learning takes effort. Surely it is simpler to simply view the items as art objects and/or objects of value. Learning about how things are used seems rather like a grubby plebeian activity; some might even say "better to view them as art/value objects".
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