There have been several threads lately about what happens to our guns after we depart.
But what happens to all our other stuff? Yesterday I was scrolling through a military collectible site.
I was surprised to see a lot of stuff- flying suits, helmet, patches and other personal stuff which had belonged to a retired AF guy that I knew.
Apparently his heirs put it up for auction and according to the posters, they paid big bucks.
I guess that I have thought that my one Son and one son in law would each take a few guns, a few knives, some tools and sell the rest.
I never really gave any thought to my personal items including my military stuff.
I am thinking now to tell them not to sell anything with my name in it.
Like my custom fitted flying helmet.
I will tell them, if it's got name on it,
Keep or trash it. Do not sell it.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

My greatest fear is that my wife's boyfriend will get my stuff before I die.

Ask to be buried with your helmet on. Stranger requests have been made.

I sent a list of my guns to my brothers to let them pick what they wanted. Neither replied so they will be sold. Hopefully my widow won't be bamboozled.

Unfortunately, I think when we go, about 80% of our stuff will be viewed as "junk" by others. It amazes me what family members throw out, put in a yard sale, or donate to the Salvation Army when they have to clean out the house of a loved one.

Larry

It doesn't amaze me. Think of how overwhelming a task it is. Every single item has potential emotional significance; there's a good argument that the most sensible way to handle it is to pick out one momento for each person and get rid of the rest of it. Now.

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Now go make God proud...

Good question. I have a very large collection of chess sets, some hand made, some historically valuable (Bobby Fischer personal set), several sentimental, a few from wins, etc. My Granddaughter will get those, because she's the only one that plays. Dietz lanterns everywhere, knives, and tools. Most will find homes within the family, the rest can be sold at will.

My brother is dead, and I don't think my sister and my two kids will fight over stuff. The kids have everything they could need, but I'm sure will want a few things. My sister is going to be well fixed for books, tools and kitchen equipment when I shuffle off this mortal cluster.

I'm pretty sure I won't be worrying about it then.

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Oh well, what the hell.

It's only stuff. What will I care if someone has something with my name on it after I'm gone? I've told my son to have no guilt or questions, after I'm gone, do whatever he wants with the no longer needed possessions. Sure, I've told him what has value, but just for his information. If he wants to sell my guns for a penny on the dollar, that's his business. And think how happy some S&W lover will be.

Remember your brothers here???? We didn't get the list!

I've started making a list of things and putting a "today" value on them. If the kids throw stuff away or get taken on value.....I'll haunt them from the beyond.

I'll be dead so it won't matter to me. If they sell something valuable cheaply that's their problem. Money they lost if they don't research. I have not doubt that they will hold any sentimental value for anything and they don't live in a free state so most of the firearms can't go to them, heck I can't even get them interested in where their ancestors are buried. Guess when I'm gone no one will know or visit them anymore. But hey that's up to them.

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Psalm 23:4

I'm just afraid my wife will sell my guns for how much I told her I paid for them.....

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- The Federalist #46 -

I have so much "stuff" that one of my kids has already planned on taking a year off work and listing 20 items a day till all valuable items are gone. The real problem is what is worth listing. I had a wadcutter for reloading black powder cartridges. This resembles a 2" piece of black gas pipe beveled on one side. The kicker is, it was made by and marked "Sharpes Rifle co, 40 cal". This little piece of pipe sold on EBAY for $736. So what is junk?

I guess I am not as attached to my "stuff" as some here. I've been thinking of offloading some of it now, while I still have use for the money it would bring.

When I go, if my daughter (or wife if she is still alive) have use for anything, so be it. If they can sell it and use the money, or decide to give it away, it makes no never mind to me.

Except for my tattoos - them I'm taking with me.

Fortunately around 20 years ago I began systematically documenting my firearms and militaria collection. I have kept at it over the years and items are added or deleted as necessary and I do at least a semi-annual review of pricing. I have provided disposal guidelines and a list of potential resources for this purpose. I also intend to add items such as my relatively extensive reference library to this inventory.
My wife has ready access to my inventory listing and I send an updated copy offsite to my daughter at least once a year.
I realize I will have no control over this once I'm gone but I've tried to insure that they have necessary information to maximize the return on my collection should they decide to dispose of it.
Jim

Regarding my firearms, I keep a looseleaf book describing each gun and its approximate value, which I update from time to time. I also list what makes the gun particularly desirable, whether it is in 100% original condition and what modifications have been made to detract from its collector value.

Equally important, I have a lifelong friend whom I trust and who will try to obtain reasonable prices for all my stuff such as reloading presses, supplies, dies, gun cases, etc. You know you trust the person when you're willing to give him the combo to your safe.

I also have several desirable guitars and a Fender amp that can fetch $3000.00. Fortunately, one of my sons is a guitarist and he'll manage that end of my estate.

When a member of my gun club died. I responded to an invite, run by his son, to buy his guns. When I got there, the prices were so low (an M1 Garand for $300.00) that I felt guilty buying anything and quickly informed the son that he needed to more than double the prices, which he did and still sold everything.
The point is, somebody has to have a ballpark figure on how much to ask.

I told my wife I wanted her to immediately sell all my stuff after I die. She asked why- I told her I figured she'd marry again and I didn't want some ******* going through my stuff. She asked me what made me think she'd marry another ******* ?
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

Why can't I post a double thumbs up..I like!!!!

I'm setting up a raid party, as soon as I drop I have a list of relatives and friends invited to the pad to grab whatever they want, the early worm will get the best.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

turnerriver that's funny.Showed it to my wife she agreed with your wife. I might be in trouble

Stuff - with a story is more than just stuff.

Example, I have a non descript, military, canvas pouch that has an older field trocar set (a device for inserting a chest tube in the battlefield).

This item is priceless to me, as it was given to me by one of the pediatricians I worked with years ago.

He was not one to just give things away. He took the three instruments out of the pouch, gave it to me, told me if I got them in the right order, the set was mine. I took a moment and put them in what I believed was the correct order, based upon size and the sequence one would use them. I was right.

Now, this belonged to his father in World War II. To further make it special, my dear friend was dying of lung cancer (which I helped diagnose with pulmonary function studies), and did in fact die within 48 hours after giving me the trocar set.

To someone else, it is a WWII medical set, as stated previously, to me, it is priceless.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

At least your heirs get decent stuff. My in-laws invested in beanie babies.

When I'm gone whomever gets my stuff can do whatever. If it helps them, sell it. If it keeps them warm, set it on fire. If it takes up space get rid of it

I love all my "stuff" while I am here but I came into this world with nothing and will enter into the next the same way. I am more concerned about where I want to go than what I left behind.

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S&W Armorer
Lost in the 50s

I wonder why they call it "Stuff"?

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

I used to do a lot of auctions looking for US WWII items. You know you could tell a lot about a man by looking at the items. His tools, clothes, hobby stuff, reading materials and such. You could pretty much know what he did for a living did for a hobby and know what his interests were. Kind of sad, seeing his whole life laid out to sale to the highest bidder.

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Stay safe people!

Why in the Hell should I give a flying flip what happens to my stuff when I'm dead? I'm ain't going to have any need for it.

I never believed in putting stipulations on gifts anyway. I got no desire to try and control from the grave, or in my case the ash pile.

I plan to take it with me. Who knows?

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It's Alive !!

my kids and grandkids get what hey want , and my wife can have a great auction. I have a shop full of wood and metal working stuff and a gun rom with a few valuable pieces in it. other than that just a lot of stuff that was valuable to me

I have been keeping a list of all the guns I have, what I paid for them and what they were currently worth. do an update every January. that's the easy part. I have been reloading for over 45yrs. now and have fairly large amount of equipment and supplies. told my wife to research prices before she sells anything.

Because "****" gets asterisked!

Imstill waiting tofind at a garage sale--a mint condition--double decal SS helmet for sale--havent found one yet. however, about 17 years ago-a farmers widow was selling off her husbands stuff-one item he had was a wood trunk with a complete Luftwaffe offiers para uniforms and helmets in it. Even back then--that trunk of "old junk" nettedher $25,000.

A mint DD SS para helmet will net you about $50 grand on todays market.

Because you would get a ding if you used that other term?:-))

I'd like two, please. Alright fine, just one then.

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Be Well

Between nearly 100 handguns, 30 long guns, two dozen scopes, some hi end optics, handloading gear, bullet casting gear, holsters, pistol and rifle cases, loading COMPONENTS, books and manuals, an entire collection of RIFLE & HANDLOADER magazine, AR parts/pieces/magazines, Military gear from THAT career, Police gear/uniforms from that 32 years, a lifelong collection of power and hand tools, 3 motorcycles and the associated gear, etc, etc.

I'm in the "LOTS O STUFF" category. Turn 64 in less than a week. Still in good health but I have already started to give things away to folks I like. I'm sure this with accelerate as time goes on.

Whatever is left.....I have a very good friend who I absolutely trust who will sell it and give the proceeds to my wife.

Yeah it's "stuff" but may as well let others either enjoy it or get a few bucks from it.

FN in MT

Once you're gone, whether you want it or not, your heirs will do what they please UNLESS you put it in your will to bury it all with you. There's a lot of unused space under your "permanent bed" that can be put to good use and when they crank you down, you'll be right on top of all of it! Just sayin' !!

There's a George carlin skit about that, lol.

I'll be dead, what and why would I care what happens to my stuff after I die?