Gothic Gothic to Medieval Swords and Helmets 1000-1550: A Private Collection

About David Petty

David Petty began his arms and armour journey in 1964 driven by a love of history and interest in fine antiques scouring London markets seeking fine items the earlier the better. He bought his first Viking sword in Bermondsey Market for just GBP10 followed soon by another from Portobello for GBP12. In 1971 he travelled to the United States where he met Steve Cranzie at the Metropolitan Museum an man with vast knowledge of antique arms and armour. Friendship developed and David gained access to the mountain of items stored in the basement out of view to the public with Steve an expert guide. Two cherished Viking swords bought from him remain in David''s collection. His introduction to Bob Carroll the museum''s arms restorer was an opportunity to study conservation decoration and patina. Dealing and collecting continued with bi-monthly visis to the US visiting collectors and gun shows including those in Baltimore Columbus and Allentown. there he met top US dealers including Bob Abels Norm Flayderman Jack Molloy and Al Kelley. At that time Long Island had a concentration of serious collectors with important things which were available to buy and bring to the UK. In the early seventies David met Ewart Oakeshott and shared their mutual interest visiting his Ely home to show newly-acquired items. Visits to John Haywood at Sotheby''s and Claude Blair at The V&A followed. Working with the UK trade and collectors enabled purchases for the US market including Kentucky rifles Bowie knives American Indian items powder horns and other fine antiques. In the following decades dealing and collecting slowed gradually as David''s collections matured. For more than fifty years his policy of keeping collections secure from view has served him well but nowadays it has changed to see the value of showing his fine objects to the world of antique arms and armour enthusiasts.