Hello from Northeastern Ohio, I look forward to being back on the forum and having time to work in my shop since I retired just this month. My current interests are mostly flintlocks both original and reproduction. I'm a decade past my first generation Colt phase, I enjoy shooting my firearms and not collecting for the sole sake of collecting or investing. I love this forum because of the level of expertise of the members and their collective abilities to assess, evaluate and troubleshoot old guns. Thirty-five years ago, I had the privilege of serving several graduate internships at The Wallace Collection in London, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Trinity College Archives. I did not get to work with any of the Tower Collection that was moved to Leeds, but the Wallace Collection was organized in fairly similar fashion. As a twenty-one year old student I was brand new to the history of European firearms but I learned a lot and am still learning every day. The invaluable part of the experience was being able to physically handle and help conserve so many original pieces. That's how I learned, by sight and by touch and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I am looking forward to sharing and learning with all of you, Thanks! --Dr. Paul