We have a weapons collection (medieval swords, halberds, etc. up to 18th century Pennsylvania long rifes) and, while we don't just allow any casual drop-in browser to view our storage, we often welcome researchers or persons with special interests to make an appointment to see the weapons.  I'm not sure what "unable to do this securely" means.  Do you think the staff's safety is at stake?  I personally escort visitors into the collections storage area so they can view the items in the rack or if they are just interested in one or two pieces then I bring them out to a table for viewing.  No sense in having them if no one can ever see them.



Greg



Gregory A. Jackson, CA

Archives & Special Collections

Bryn Athyn Historic Landmark District

Glencairn Museum

www.glencairnmuseum.org

267.502.2421







-----Original Message-----

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Christopher James Young

Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 5:48 AM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Weapon handling and the public UK museums



My name is Chris Young and I am a collections access assistant at a local museum, I am contacting to see whether anyone can help with a quick query. In short we have a varied mix of weapons; from swords to firearms in our collection all of which we keep secured, lately we have had some enquiries to whether someone could view this type of object (one example is a professional fencer who wished to view several of our rapiers). On each occasion we have had to decline; either because we thought it unsuitable or we felt we were unable to do this securely for the member of staff who would monitor the viewing. So I have been tasked by my manager to see whether there is a safe procedure to which we might be able to give a member of public the ability to access and view a weapon that is not on display, such as sword, or whether this is not suitable unless it is on display within a secure display case?



If anyone could help with this query I would greatly appreciate it.



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