Modernizing the Documentation of Historical Weapons Collections

[kronckew]

I asked MS Copilot AI:


Write a presentation on categorizing sword collecting and categorization.

Originally Posted by Copilot

Sure, here’s a presentation outline on the fascinating world of sword collecting and its categorization.

The Art and Science of Sword Collecting

Introduction

• Hook: The allure of swords is timeless, captivating generations with their historical significance, craftsmanship, and aesthetic appeal.
• Purpose: This presentation explores the methods of categorizing swords for collectors, examining different criteria and highlighting key examples.

I. Historical Periods

• Ancient Swords: Bronze Age, Iron Age, and early civilizations.
  • Examples: Egyptian khopesh, Greek xiphos.
• Medieval and Renaissance Swords: European swords from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance.
  • Examples: Viking swords, longswords, rapiers.
• Modern Era Swords: 18th century to present.
  • Examples: Military sabres, ceremonial swords.

II. Geographical Regions

• European Swords:
  • Examples: Scottish claymore, Italian schiavona.
• Asian Swords:
  • Examples: Japanese katana, Chinese jian.
• Middle Eastern Swords:
  • Examples: Persian shamshir, Arabian saif.

III. Functional Classification

• Combat Swords:
  • Features: Designed for warfare and personal defense.
  • Examples: Broadsword, cutlass.
• Ceremonial Swords:
  • Features: Decorative, often used in rituals or as status symbols.
  • Examples: Officer's swords, coronation swords.
• Sporting Swords:
  • Features: Used in fencing and martial arts.
  • Examples: Foil, epee, sabre.

IV. Blade Types and Designs

• Straight Blades:
  • Features: Typically for thrusting.
  • Examples: Rapier, arming sword.
• Curved Blades:
  • Features: Designed for slashing.
  • Examples: Scimitar, falchion.
• Specialized Blades:
  • Features: Unique shapes for specific uses.
  • Examples: Kris, kukri.

V. Material and Craftsmanship

• Materials:
  • Examples: Damascus steel, folded steel.
• Crafting Techniques:
  • Examples: Forging, pattern welding, tempering.

VI. Collectors’ Considerations

• Authenticity and Provenance:
  • Importance: Verifying the sword's history and originality.
• Condition and Restoration:
  • Importance: Maintaining and preserving the sword's integrity.
• Market Value and Investment:
  • Factors: Rarity, historical significance, craftsmanship.

Conclusion

• Summary: The categorization of swords enriches the collecting experience, allowing enthusiasts to appreciate the diversity and heritage of these remarkable artifacts.
• Closing Thought: Whether a collector or admirer, understanding the categories of swords enhances our connection to history and the art of weaponry.

Feel free to expand on these points, add visuals, or adjust based on your specific needs! Happy presenting! ��

I asked it to supply pictures, It told me to go find them myself. Guess I upset Copilot.

[dana_w]

kronckew, I only wish it were that easy.

To be compatible with the Semantic Web, one would be required to utilize already formally defined terms for classes and properties. For instance, established ontologies such as Dublin Core (DCMI Metadata Terms) and CIDOC CRM (CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model), which are commonly used in the domain of cultural heritage, provide a foundational framework.

Within these established ontologies, specific terms for classes (such as 'Physical object') and properties (like 'material', 'date of creation', etc.) have been defined and standardized. This standardized vocabulary is essential to ensure interoperability between different systems and datasets on the Semantic Web.

To extend this with a custom ontology for something like Bladed Weapons, one would need to align new classes and properties with those already defined in established ontologies using a resource template. Such alignment facilitates the integration of specialized data into the broader Semantic Web ecosystem, allowing for easier searching, querying, and analysis across diverse datasets.

Here is an example of an RDF Framework for Bladed Weapons in human readable format:



Were I run into issues is with specialty properties like those needed for folding knives. I'll ask the AI to help with those and end up with something like "Washers", "The material and configuration of pivot washers" which I am not sure is useful or correct.

blade:washers a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Washers" ;
rdfs:comment "The material and configuration of pivot washers" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .


Here is the full Bladed Weapons Vocabulary/Ontology in machine readable turtle format:


@prefix dcterms: <http://purl.org/dc/terms/> .
@prefix owl: <http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#> .
@prefix rdf: <http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#> .
@prefix rdfs: <http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#> .
@prefix vs: <http://www.w3.org/2003/06/sw-vocab-status/ns#> .
@prefix o: <http://omeka.org/s/vocabs/o#> .
@prefix blade: REMOVED

<https://collections.REMOVED/ns/blade/> a owl:Ontology ;
dcterms:title "Bladed Weapons Vocabulary" ;
dcterms:description " A specialized vocabulary for describing historical and modern bladed weapons" .

bladeagger a rdfs:Class ;
rdfs:label "Dagger" ;
rdfs:comment "Short-bladed weapon primarily for stabbing" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:Knife a rdfs:Class ;
rdfs:label "Knife" ;
rdfs:comment "Single-edged blade without guard assembly" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:Polearm a rdfs:Class ;
rdfs:label "Polearm" ;
rdfs:comment "Bladed weapon mounted on a long shaft" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:Sword a rdfs:Class ;
rdfs:label "Sword" ;
rdfs:comment "Long-bladed weapon with hilt assembly including guard" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:backspringType a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Backspring Type" ;
rdfs:comment "The style and configuration of the blade retention spring" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:bladeLength a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Blade Length" ;
rdfs:comment "Length of the blade from point to heel" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:bladeMaterial a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Blade Material" ;
rdfs:comment "Material composition of the blade" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:bladeWidth a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Blade Width" ;
rdfs:comment "Maximum width of the blade" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:bolsterStyle a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Bolster Style" ;
rdfs:comment "The design and material of the bolsters or reinforcement pieces" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:closedLength a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Closed Length" ;
rdfs:comment "The length of the knife when folded" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:decoration a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Decoration" ;
rdfs:comment "Description of decorative elements and techniques" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:deploymentMethod a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Deployment Method" ;
rdfs:comment "The method used to open or deploy the blade" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:edgeType a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Edge Type" ;
rdfs:comment "Configuration of cutting edges (single, double, or partial)" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:frictionDevice a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Friction Device" ;
rdfs:comment "Any mechanism used to maintain blade position through friction" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:fullerDetails a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Fuller Details" ;
rdfs:comment "Description of grooves or fullers in the blade" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:guardStyle a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Guard Style" ;
rdfs:comment "Type and design of the guard/crossguard" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:handleScale a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Handle Scale" ;
rdfs:comment "The material and construction of handle covering plates" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:headType a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Head Type" ;
rdfs:comment "Style and configuration of the polearm head" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:lockingSystem a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Locking System" ;
rdfs:comment "The mechanism used to secure the blade in open position" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

bladepenLength a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Open Length" ;
rdfs:comment "The total length of the knife when opened" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

bladeivotMechanism a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Pivot Mechanism" ;
rdfs:comment "The type and construction of the blade pivot system" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

bladeommelType a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Pommel Type" ;
rdfs:comment "Style and construction of the pommel" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:scabbardDetails a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Scabbard Details" ;
rdfs:comment "Description of scabbard or sheath if present" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:shaftLength a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Shaft Length" ;
rdfs:comment "Length of the wooden shaft or pole" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:slipjointType a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Slipjoint Type" ;
rdfs:comment "The specific design of non-locking blade retention" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:spineProfile a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Spine Profile" ;
rdfs:comment "The shape and configuration of the blade's spine" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:springMechanism a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Spring Mechanism" ;
rdfs:comment "The type and configuration of any spring assistance" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:stopPin a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Stop Pin" ;
rdfs:comment "The type and location of blade travel limiters" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:tangConstruction a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Tang Construction" ;
rdfs:comment "Type and extent of the tang (full, partial, rat-tail)" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

blade:washers a rdf:Property ;
rdfs:label "Washers" ;
rdfs:comment "The material and configuration of pivot washers" ;
rdfs:domain o:Resource ;
vs:term_status "experimental" .

[dana_w]

Here is an example of using Claude AI to help create a Sword Resource Template, built upon my earlier Dagger Resource Template. This work would clearly benefit from having a group of knowledgeable contributors.

[DaveA]

Dana,

Thanks for including the machine readable format. You sound like an expert in semantic data systems. Surely you must know of an eager grad student who will take the task further? It’s worth at least a Master’s to get a published ontology. (IMHO). I’m qualified and will gladly serve on their committee

Dave A.

[werecow]

It would be good to include full sword dynamics info a la Vincent Le Chevalier where possible. A bit laborious to compute and not always possible but provides a lot of interesting information.

Also, the components of the sword can of course be sourced from different times and/or places; i.e. you might find an 18th c Solingen blade on a 19th c Aceh peudeueng.

Also, document any cleaning, repairs, or damage.

[dana_w]

Hi DaveA,

I've just had a look at your https://atkinson-swords.com/ website. My current site is https://weaponscollector.com/.

I have a prototype Omeka S site, but I'm not ready to share it publicly yet. I'll try sending you a private message.

Omeka S seems like a much better platform to go forward with than Omeka Classic, but it requires a level of familiarity with the Dublin Core that few "muggles" have. I've yet to find an eager grad student to help, but I'm looking.

I hope to get back to developing the new website soon and will keep your requirements in mind.

Best regards,
Dana

[DaveA]

Thanks very much. I'm interested in helping out with the ontology. There is a huge treasure trove of expertise here in the forum and especially in the archives. The quality of semantic classification of edged weapons on Wikipedia is spotty, but there are some good resources on specialized topics. I've discovered that using Wikipedia in other languages is especially useful for weapons that exist within the cultural environment of that language, e.g., Javanese. Google translate is fairly helpful in this regard.

I'm investigating tools such as Protege to help build the OWL ontology.


Dave A

Originally Posted by dana_w

Hi DaveA,

I've just had a look at your https://atkinson-swords.com/ website. My current site is https://weaponscollector.com/.

I have a prototype Omeka S site, but I'm not ready to share it publicly yet. I'll try sending you a private message.

Omeka S seems like a much better platform to go forward with than Omeka Classic, but it requires a level of familiarity with the Dublin Core that few "muggles" have. I've yet to find an eager grad student to help, but I'm looking.

I hope to get back to developing the new website soon and will keep your requirements in mind.

Best regards,
Dana