Weapons from Holstein collection

Jim McDougall · 6th June 2017, 11:51 PM

To me it is a true conquest to just own a copy of this rare catalog!!! let alone a weapon from within it!!!

As Jens has pointed out, not all weapons illustrated in such a work are necessarily the property of the author.

Personally even when I still collected, I would not have bought a weapon outside my areas of interest just because it was presumably from a renowned collection. As an arms historian, what is most important to me is the weapon itself, and often even if in rugged condition, it conveys many important clues on its form and perhaps even stages of its working life.

I have certainly acquired arms which I paid too much for, but in later years discovered they often were of very rare forms or circumstances. This often gave them an inherent value in different dimension as a viable antiquity with unique character and sometimes compelling provenance.

I recall in California some years ago, when I still lived there, some of the older movie studios cleared out their warehouses of old props, costumes etc. Apparently, there were numbers of old weapons which were true antiques among the prop items used in old films, and some collectors and dealers had a field day!!!

Actually the famed actor Rudolph Valentino was a sword collector, and had gathered some prime examples himself in the early days.

I wonder how many of these are still around and so classified or identified?

Kubur · 7th June 2017, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

To me it is a true conquest to just own a copy of this rare catalog!!! let alone a weapon from within it!!!

Personally even when I still collected, I would not have bought a weapon outside my areas of interest just because it was presumably from a renowned collection.

Apparently, there were numbers of old weapons which were true antiques among the prop items used in old films, and some collectors and dealers had a field day!!!

Hi Jim,

Well, first thank you for your kind comments.
Let's say that Holstein catalogue contains also Persian and Ottoman arms...

Old films like Taras Boulba? Or The Man who would be king? just as examples...

Even recent movies or series too
Recently I saw an Ottoman bullet box in the serie "Vikings"...

Best wishes,
Kubur

Jim McDougall · 7th June 2017, 05:55 PM

Excellent entries Kubur!!!
While often 'Hollywood' and the movie industry is decried for their lack of authenticity and inaccuracy in films, there were many where at least a modicum of authenticity was portrayed.
* In an interesting aside, conversely, a film maker once accompanied Pancho Villa in Mexico and was permitted to film an actual 'charge' into combat. It seems he did not wish to use the footage, as it was " not realistic enough!!!".

Still, movies such as you mentioned, "Taras Bulba", "Man Who Would be King" and so many others were always my favorites.
I recall many years back, I wanted to watch "Gunga Din" for the zillionth time and invited my wife to join. She said, "okay.....but don't wear the pith helmet this time......you're scaring the cats!".

My whole entry into the 'sword collecting syndrome' (many many moons ago) was almost certainly the result of one too many "Zorro" movies!!

On the other hand, in movies, it is fun to watch for those 'zingers', like the Ottoman item in the Viking film. I have had to bite my lip many times to avoid being cashiered by my wife for comments disrupting the viewing.

6th June 2017, 11:51 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	To me it is a true conquest to just own a copy of this rare catalog!!! let alone a weapon from within it!!! As Jens has pointed out, not all weapons illustrated in such a work are necessarily the property of the author. Personally even when I still collected, I would not have bought a weapon outside my areas of interest just because it was presumably from a renowned collection. As an arms historian, what is most important to me is the weapon itself, and often even if in rugged condition, it conveys many important clues on its form and perhaps even stages of its working life. I have certainly acquired arms which I paid too much for, but in later years discovered they often were of very rare forms or circumstances. This often gave them an inherent value in different dimension as a viable antiquity with unique character and sometimes compelling provenance. I recall in California some years ago, when I still lived there, some of the older movie studios cleared out their warehouses of old props, costumes etc. Apparently, there were numbers of old weapons which were true antiques among the prop items used in old films, and some collectors and dealers had a field day!!! Actually the famed actor Rudolph Valentino was a sword collector, and had gathered some prime examples himself in the early days. I wonder how many of these are still around and so classified or identified?

7th June 2017, 05:55 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Excellent entries Kubur!!! While often 'Hollywood' and the movie industry is decried for their lack of authenticity and inaccuracy in films, there were many where at least a modicum of authenticity was portrayed. * In an interesting aside, conversely, a film maker once accompanied Pancho Villa in Mexico and was permitted to film an actual 'charge' into combat. It seems he did not wish to use the footage, as it was " not realistic enough!!!". Still, movies such as you mentioned, "Taras Bulba", "Man Who Would be King" and so many others were always my favorites. I recall many years back, I wanted to watch "Gunga Din" for the zillionth time and invited my wife to join. She said, "okay.....but don't wear the pith helmet this time......you're scaring the cats!". My whole entry into the 'sword collecting syndrome' (many many moons ago) was almost certainly the result of one too many "Zorro" movies!! On the other hand, in movies, it is fun to watch for those 'zingers', like the Ottoman item in the Viking film. I have had to bite my lip many times to avoid being cashiered by my wife for comments disrupting the viewing.