Hello Ian,
Definitely make sure that the numbers are unique, e.g. starting with a different digit. It’s also common usage to put your initials in front of any code which helps to refer to collections later on.
As indicated by Ken, keeping records of buyers may pose a security issue in case of any data breach and will be illegal under some jurisdictions.
Aside from my best estimate for the age (range) of any piece, I add the minimum and maximum ages that I believe can be defended by objective criteria. This helps with reassessments later on.
I’d suggest to always list the materials utilized as well as possible legal ramifications like CITES.
It seems preferable to specify all data separately for each component since age/etc. may differ widely: blade, hilt, scabbard, and accessories (if any).
Regards,
Kai
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