The Richard R. Wagner Jr. Collection of Fine Eastern Weapons

Richard Wagner began collecting in the 1970s, at which time there were a great many more examples on the market than there are now, in the second decade of the 21st century. It should not, however, be assumed that pieces of the quality found within these covers were simply lying about in antique shops and at gun shows — any collector who was active at that time will emphatically confirm that they were not. Yet perseverance and an unfailing eye for rich embellishment served Richard well. Keep only the best, became his credo. And he did!