Sorry to steal a thread title but...
Anyways I am wondering if there is a skill (knowledge or otherwise) that would allow a PC to identify not just types of weapons but their origin (i.e who made them, where they were made, how old they are etc). This would apply to armour as well. I'm thinking Knowledge(history) but I also keep thinking I am missing something obvious.
Knowledge Local deals w/ humanoids, so that sounds like a fine option to identify weapons/armor made by humanoids.
Knowledge History may be useful for ancient weapons no longer in use.
Of course, a character being proficient in a weapon would probably be enough to identify a weapon of that type.
Knowledge Nobility would help identifying heraldry.
Appraise may help in valuing specially made weapons, such as a sword decorated w/ jewels and gems.
I would use knowledge history.
For my home game I made a Knowledge (Warfare) skill, to identify weapons, feats and their effects, etc. Fighters get 1 free rank/level; everyone else can purchase as needed.
Thanks for the replies people! I'm surprised that there isn't a single skill covering weapon & armour knowledge but I do like the appraise idea. I think that is what i will go with in the future - thanks again.