In Conversation with Jim McDougall — A Great Beginning to the Interview Genre

[Turkoman.khan]

Hello everyone! What a wonderful morning!

While having my coffee at the office, I glanced through my emails and one immediately caught my eye — the interview by Jim. What an exciting read!

https://objet.art/as/articles/68d91c94bd76d58bdc402033

I have to admit, I’m not a specialist in Caucasian arms. Like many collectors, I’ve always been drawn mainly to their incredible aesthetic beauty — especially since there are so few books and limited illustrations available on the subject. But now I see that Jim is deeply committed to bringing scholars and experts to a wider audience, and that’s just fantastic.

Jim, it would be wonderful if you continued publishing more interviews with the collectors and experts you’ve connected with over the years. They’re truly insightful and so enriching.

Thank goodness we live in the digital age — no more struggles with endless paper publishing, whether in magazines or albums!

Looking forward to your next great interview, Jim!

[Jim McDougall]

I cannot thank you enough for such kind words reviewing my interview with Sergey, which was incredibly enlightening on this very esoteric subject .

While I have done some collecting and study in these areas over the years, his article revealed so much to me, and it was exciting to see Caucasian edged weapons through such a fascinating new prism.

As you note, these arms are remarkable in their aesthetic beauty, and one cannot help but see them in that perspective, but what Sergey has presented is a valuable new dimension in recognizing the nuances which surround the forms. These factors are important in better understanding the history of the weapons, which is an area which I hope will develop further, and encourage more study and material.

This is indeed the new age of research in arms, where resources are at our fingertips, far from the times of book searches that took months and years, not to mention expense. Interlibrary loans , mailed letters with responses (if lucky) that could take months, were frustrating,

I recall a number of years ago, as I was describing the 'old days' when I first began researching, and these elements .......and one of our members said to me......' yeah Jim, but they still had papyrus then didnt they !!????

I do look forward to more interviews in this medium, and hope I can contribute more as you suggest. I was very fortunate to have had wonderful communications with many of the notable figures in the study of arms, whose books have stood as the backbone of our research. Sadly, most of them are gone now, but their legacy lives on as we advance in this work.

Onward! and learning together!!!

Thank you so very much Turkoman!!!

Gratefully,
Jim

[Turkoman.khan]

Dear Jim,

I believe all members of this wonderful forum deeply appreciate your decades of dedication and the tremendous energy you’ve invested throughout your life in the study of Arms and Armour.

On a personal note, I’d like to encourage all members — who, I’m sure, share my great respect for you — to express their opinions in this thread about who they would like to see interviewed next.

From my side, I would love to see an interview with Jens Nordlunde, who published the remarkable book A Passion for Indian Arms nearly ten years ago. I was lucky enough to acquire a copy from a third party — truly a great piece of work.

Perhaps now is the time to give a global audience a glimpse into the story behind this fabulous collection and the passion that inspired it. I’m sure there are wonderful, unpublished stories still waiting to be told — and in my opinion, this would be the perfect moment to share them with the world.

Gentlemen, your turn now!

[Battara]

Oh I count Jim not only a rare and greatly prized resource, but also a good natured and honest gentleman whom I am honored to be acquainted. We are lucky to have him here on our little forum!