diff --git a/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp b/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp
index 4d95b5c91..853ed1559 100644
--- a/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp
+++ b/apps/opencs/model/world/record.hpp
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
         virtual RecordBase *clone() const = 0;
 
+        virtual void assign (const RecordBase& record) = 0;
+        ///< Will throw an exception if the types don't match.
+
         bool isDeleted() const;
 
         bool isErased() const;
@@ -37,6 +40,8 @@ namespace CSMWorld
 
         virtual RecordBase *clone() const;
 
+        virtual void assign (const RecordBase& record);
+
         const ESXRecordT& get() const;
         ///< Throws an exception, if the record is deleted.
 
@@ -56,6 +61,12 @@ namespace CSMWorld
         return new Record<ESXRecordT> (*this);
     }
 
+    template <typename ESXRecordT>
+    void Record<ESXRecordT>::assign (const RecordBase& record)
+    {
+        *this = dynamic_cast<const Record<ESXRecordT>& > (record);
+    }
+
     template <typename ESXRecordT>
     const ESXRecordT& Record<ESXRecordT>::get() const
     {