Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - A New Idea re Weapons of Oceania and a Poll

Jim McDougall · 8th December 2025, 11:01 PM

I can never forget Barry (Vandoo) and Jimmy Manteris! Those guys were an exciting core of interest in Oceania! and while as been noted, I have not typically been interested in this field, but when items are presented and with some sort of context and informational dynamics, one cannot help but be intrigued.

That is why a venue as Ian has suggested would be worthwhile, and promote interest and from my perspective, perhaps historical material that would be interesting.

What Alan and David have noted regarding the financial and investment properties of items in these esoteric fields is indeed a factor which has become altogether too prevalent in ethnographic arms in general, not just these.
That is the reason a number of collectors recently have effectively 'jumped ship' in acquiring these arms, many moving into other fields such as regulation military etc.

In these circumstances the best thing for collectors is knowledge, and in fields with so little informational material, a venue like this would not only be helpful, but essential.

Again, thinking of Vandoo and Jimmy....miss those guys!!!!

8th December 2025, 11:01 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,712	I can never forget Barry (Vandoo) and Jimmy Manteris! Those guys were an exciting core of interest in Oceania! and while as been noted, I have not typically been interested in this field, but when items are presented and with some sort of context and informational dynamics, one cannot help but be intrigued. That is why a venue as Ian has suggested would be worthwhile, and promote interest and from my perspective, perhaps historical material that would be interesting. What Alan and David have noted regarding the financial and investment properties of items in these esoteric fields is indeed a factor which has become altogether too prevalent in ethnographic arms in general, not just these. That is the reason a number of collectors recently have effectively 'jumped ship' in acquiring these arms, many moving into other fields such as regulation military etc. In these circumstances the best thing for collectors is knowledge, and in fields with so little informational material, a venue like this would not only be helpful, but essential. Again, thinking of Vandoo and Jimmy....miss those guys!!!!