Another reason to just say no is the passion of addiction. I have somewhat salved my wounds but believe me, it is quite easy to go too far. I dug out of debt once and really need to just stop. A couple of decades could have been a down payment and a good chunk of a mortgage.
I won't bore the readers tirelessly with a book list but believe me, having the references come in handy and they are cheaper than making a bad buying decision.
My short list for any wanting to look at eagle head pommel swords as investment, or even to save a bad turn.
First, the old testament. If you are going into antique US swords, start here.
The American Sword, 1775-1945
www.amazon.com/American-1775-1945-Harold-Leslie-Peterson/dp/1258507218Most of the US eagles can be found in the following two books
American Eagle Pommel Sword: The Early Years 1794-1830
www.amazon.com/American-Eagle-Pommel-Sword-1794-1830/dp/0917218361American Swords from the Philip Medicus Collection
www.amazon.com/American-Swords-Philip-Medicus-Collection/dp/0917218787I'll go on for the truly interested with titles from the following. Still but a short list of authors.
Bezdek
Furr
Gilkerson
Hartzler
Rankin
Tuite
There is a growing knowledge regarding the genre and folk like Simon Rycroftt and myself. Eric Fairbanks. Richard Schenk and a growing host of others that have put forth lots of discussion. Dmitry of Sailor in Saddle another. Mark Cloke growing a family aside from Old Swords and a stalled collaboration for an Eagle page. I'm simply not ready to collaborate with either Mark or Simon and perhaps my reluctance lies in the reality that I don't choose to stand on the shoulders of already published work.
My own true studies of the genre do revolve around dating a lot of examples that have been misplaced and sold, or described, as older than they truly are. My latest gasp at how it is described but I'm just not telling. It would cause a row and others finally agreeing. Call this one a homework assignment for the readers.
Whazzit really and when?
I'll not list the auction for that one and in all cases of dispute with a seller, either accept their reluctance to change their mind or simply walk away. The argument isn't worth it but a healthy discussion about why this one is later than earlier suggested requires only a keen eye to trends. This one was a jaw dropper and chuckle for me this morning.
I'll end this first string of eagle thought as I began and when to say no. Know first, to not regret what one is spending money on. Images are ridiculously cheap. Knowledge gained on the net is going to require some study and books are a wiser expenditure than some swords out there.
If a collector of either modern swords or antiques approaches it as a fling, please disregard any advice I have offered here.
Feel free to pick my brain, as I do of others but do realize I am one of the snobby twit grumpy cat clan. I know nothing and nothing is what I am.
Should I list Eagles 2.0 as my home page? Not