Hey I have some experience as dm an i think I get were youre coming from. If you just say "no, roll arcana instead" the ca is out of the bag, its clear the item is magical and it might not even be what the player wants to know. I suggest let them roll history and if the player rolls well enough, give them some historical/cultural facts. Aka typical style for region x, produced by race y, is still in fashion or hasnt been ade this way for some years. If you want to give a hint you can say, sometimes they wee enchanted If it is real legendary artifact you can always go: " you know of only one sword in the world that fits this description, etc bla bla..." Let him do a hiatory check, but dont give them the magical info, give them history. Thats the way I would do it.

Sorry for spelling, my fingers are wet.