Biography: Donald Littman Donald Littman was born in New York in 1925. Like so many young men, he joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor when he was just 17 and served on the USS Medusa in the South Pacific. While in the military, he developed a keen interest in edged weapons and firearms. By the time his ship docked in California, he had found, traded and purchased pieces that he hoped to become the beginnings of his new collection. Unfortunately, after disembarking from his ship, he discovered that his sea bag containing his clothes and new acquisitions was missing. Although Donald never saw those war souvenirs again, he was determined to replace his lost treasures. After marrying Gloria in 1952, he used an inheritance (the family silver) to trade for edged weapons and firearms. On two schoolteachers' salaries, there wasn't much money left for luxuries, so Donald, with Gloria at his side, haunted pawnshops, garage sales, and flea markets trying to expand his collection while, at the same time, gathering as much information as possible about the history of each piece. As his knowledge and desire for the best pieces increased, he was later able to acquire edged weapons from large estates and museum quality collections. Although he taught for 28 years, his collection was truly his passion and life's work. Throughout 60 years of seeking out the best, with a keen eye for craftsmanship and quality, he never lost the "thrill of the hunt"; a Bowie knife, a San Francisco Gold Rush piece, or a presentation knife could be waiting in the next dusty box. Donald passed away in 2006, and his wife, Gloria, and son, Michael, proudly present his collection of edged weapons. View Highlights