I was truly taken back that it took so long for anybody to mention the ethical questions surrounding this revolver.

This is Golden Rule 101 for me. It would seem somebody goofed here. I agree that were it me, I'd contact the estate and deal with them directly.
It's highly probable the company doing the sale will try to cover their butt and never tell their client about the mistake.

If it were my gun, I would hope the buyer of the box would come forward with it. If it was involved in a crime and I were the victim, I'd hope somebody would come forward. It could be crucial evidence needed to convict a perp.

I find we are faced with temptation every day. Greed whispers in our ear and tries to rationalize and justify what we know in our heart to be less than noble. It's not easy to do the right thing sometimes, but that is what builds character. It's what separates us from wild animals. It is our primary weapon against evil.

I believe everything happens for a reason. You'll always have the story of your $10 S&W no matter what you do. There might be a whole lot more to the tale that will be much more valuable to you in the long run, than the revolver. You might just be doing yourself a huge favor and avoiding serious trouble down the road if it's been reported as stolen, which in this case is very possible. Somebody wrapped it. Then it ended up in the box. Somebody(s) knew it existed. When it's not accounted for, the natural conclusion would be that it was stolen. If that serial pops up on the hit parade while in your possession, you will not collect $200 and it's going to cost you a lot more than that revolver is worth.

The world would be a better place if we were always the human our dog thinks we are.

Wow! Greed and stupidity seem to go hand in hand. I'm really surprised by some of the people on this forum. I had a an incident here where I sold an set of items to a forum member. Along with the item, there was piece that was of equal value, which at the time I didn't realize it. No wanting to part out the three items I sold the complete set to the member. Only after I read his post, basically, rubbing my nose it my mistake, did I find out his true character. I've been collecting now for over 40 years, I've worked hard at maintaining an honest reputation. In over 10 years as a Law Enforcement officer I had more than my share of bribes. I never once took up with it.
I really don't care if you believe that. Based on some of your comments in this situation, your opinion really doesn't matter to me. Based on some other members answers, I'll never allow them in my house. Such is life.

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Don Mundell

^^^Don't make me pull out that face palm picture again...

LOL...... this thread is going to rank right up there with those........"open carry" threads.

No one is going to convince anyone of anything.......it's been reduced to accusations of moral bankruptcy and criminal activity......... the OP will have to enter a Witness Protection Program and/or change his user name.


I wish you all "au revoir"


IMHO it's time for the Mods to lock this one down...........

Honestly I would avoid dealing with the auction company. Go to the FAMILY. Kindly tell them the situation but that you are still interested in the firearm and or if they are willing to just do a bill of sale etc. Not sure how laws are there where you live but I would think its the right thing to do. But like I said earlier, avoid auction company. They would probably just take the firearm and keep it as if nothing happened.

Why has no one suggest reporting the auctioneer?

For those suggesting/demanding that the buyer return the gun to the seller.

An auctioneer has a fiduciary duty to his client. (e.g. Seller)
Failure to proper inspect ALL property before selling, and properly merchandising it to achieve maximum price for it is a failure of this duty.

Such negligence can and should be reported the the licensing agency for auctioneers in his state.
The board/agency/commission would then take matter to protect future potential clients.

Bekeart

Somewhere along the line this ole thread veered over into "The Jerry Springer Show", and can't seem to get itself righted again.

Not only that, but I'm seeing member-to-member personal insults being hurled back and forth throughout the comments.
No matter what our feelings are about the "event", I'd rather NOT see us come across as that mean spirited.

I doubt even a few of us would come out unscathed under full scrutiny of our actions......Rocks and houses of glass come to mind.

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wanna do right-- not right now

If you live in a small town, you may want to go to the Police Chief and ask him hypothetically what is the procedure. He may sympathize with you and check the serial number for a stolen pistol. If it's stolen, you save future trouble and are only out $10. Then take it from there.
Good Luck

I don't know. I was happy for the OP's good fortune when I read the first thread, but my opinion has changed.

Was this a legal transaction? Unless he bought the gun out of state and transported it over state lines, and that is illegal where he lives, then yes, the transaction is legal and he shouldn't worry about it.

But this isn't some old lady who said "take this thing away from me. I always hated my husband having it around". Clearly, nobody knew the gun was in there. Yeah, both the seller and the auction house should have checked. They screwed up.

But to ME, this is no different than "finders keepers, losers weepers". Would I keep a $20 bill I found on the street? Sure. No way to know who lost it. Would I keep a wallet with $200 and ID? No. And that happened to me last winter and I drove it to the house of the owner.

I'd rather give somebody fair value for the gun IF they wanted to sell it. To you, it's just another Model 36. Maybe one of the kids of the deceased was expecting it. I don't know. It just doesn't sit right with me. Legally, I'm sure you're fine. Morally, for ME, it wouldn't sit right with me. And that's not even considering the possible origin of the weapon.

But we do what we feel is right. if the OP is OK with it, then enjoy that 36.

If you buy a box of goodies at a sale like that you own the box of items. If there is a 3 carat diamond ring in there you now own it along with everything else including teacups, dust, trash and guns. They sold the box as a single item including it's contents.

EXACTLY! As far as I've seen nobody has tried to argue that if it were a first edition book or a Louie the 14th teacup or a diamond ring, or anything else of value it would be morally bankrupt to accept your good fortune and move on. However, because it is a gun, somehow that seems to be putting some people around here on a moral high horse.

What happened to the idea of "a gun is just another inanimate object" or "a gun is just a tool - like any other tool"? Why would the book or the ring or the rare piece of porcelain be treated differently?

Can't have it both ways. Either guns are just objects like any other "thing" or they are something so "special" they need to be regulated and controlled and their possession a matter of law.

So for those who feel that they are taking the moral high road, which is it?

I don't think he stole it, he tripped over it.

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"were burning daylight"

I just reread this whole blasted thread and picked up something that I had missed.
"S&W Model 36 wrapped in newspaper,"
along with "two screwdrivers and some hacksaw blades"
were hidden in a box of teacups.
Umpteen LEO "experts" commenting on this thread haven't noticed that enticing clue? Burglar's toolkit?
and...
OP still hasn't said what state momma lives in.
He's changed his name by now, and hopin' ATF doesn't read this forum.

I was an FFL some time back in another state and would go to all the auctions and estate sales to buy firearms for resale if I could get them at a good price. I bought a box of misc stuff just crammed full of gun parts, holsters, and reloading stuff. All the guns were cataloged in the sale and sold separately. In this box I bought in the bottom I found a Ruger standard with 6 inch barrel, all in parts. Complete pistol in that box. I brought it to the sellers attention the told me you bought the box its yours. I still have that Ruger standard today and all I had to do was put it back together. No paper work was filled out for it.

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"were burning daylight"

I'd still consider returning it. But a diamond ring, first edition book, or Louie the 14 teacup is worth a hell of a lot more than a $500 Model 36. I guess my conscience is worth a lot more than $500.

And I don't own any guns without a paper trail and I won't. So on that alone I'd.be leery of keeping it. But that's just me.

Never knew a burglar to use hacksaw blades. I think you're reaching a bit.

It's time to pull the switch and take this thread off the respirator.

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I'm gonna grow fins.