Moral question

[Bullzaye]

I'd say the grandfather expressed his wishes in 1999. Had he intended to save the rifle for his grandson, he would not have offered it for sale. I can imagine situations where one might feel morally obliged to return family heirlooms, etc. but this isn't one of them. If you don't want to sell the rifle, keep it.

My thoughts exactly!

Tim

 

[Skeeziks]

This might be how it came about:

The kid see's his grandpa near deaths door and does not see the "Old Marlin" anywhere around. The kid says "Hey grandpa...what happened to the Marlin?" Grandpa says "Oh, I sold it to "So-and-so" for $200." The kid says "Grandpa...it was worth waay more than that! What's his phone number...?"

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

This might be how it came about:

The kid see's his grandpa near deaths door and does not see the "Old Marlin" anywhere around. The kid says "Hey grandpa...what happened to the Marlin?" Grandpa says "Oh, I sold it to "So-and-so" for $200." The kid says "Grandpa...it was worth waay more than that! What's his phone number...?"

Could be, in which case

tell him to buy you one just like it and you will trade

would be the perfect answer. Of course, that's a near-perfect answer anyway, unless YOU have an attachment to that particular gun. Even then, it's a great answer, because if he really cares about it, he'll do it, and then maybe it would be a nice thing to do, to swap even since he's the grandson.

I don't think he'll go for it - he's looking for a freebie. Tell him to write the White House.

 

[oldman45]

First things first! What is the year of mfr.?
Is this a NIB from the 70's, or does it only date back to the late 90's?
Post the ser.# if you don't know....

I do not know the yr of manufacture
but the SN is 2400XXXX

 

[oldman45]

By the title of your thread we can see this is bothering you. I personally don't think it's so much a moral question as a relationship question. If you and the original owner were very , very close friends that's one thing. If however it was merely a gun transaction then their really is no moral dilemma involved.

I think the best way to opt out of any further problems with either is to simply state it's not for sale and it will eventually be willed to your offspring. JMHO

Steve

We were not close. I brokered a couple of deals with the guy over the years and he is just a really nice gentleman. Never broke bread with the guy, never went out for drinks and he never rode in my car or me in his.

I let him grow a garden on a couple acres I owned for a few years, I gave him a fair price for a house he needed to sell and he and I had a lot of common friends. Past that, he and I would talk about once a month for 10-14 years. When he had a gun for sale, he would call to see if I wanted to buy it. He always had a never fired gun to sell, often still in the box. He is about 90+ yrs old now and I have not spoken to him in over a year due to his health.

 

[oldman45]

What does gramps have to say about this? Since he is your "friend" and he's dying, I'd grant his wish whatever that might be.

By the way, how does the grandson know of this transaction back in the 90's?

Grandpa kept telling his grandson that he sure wished he never had sold his Marlin rifle. I have never met the grandson but I know the grandson's sister.

 

[Onomea]

I agree with the view that if the kid really wanted the gun because it was his grandfather's, he'd ask politely if he might buy it from you because it was his grandfather's. He would not say "at the price you bought it from him in 1999." He might well try to negotiate, as is normal, but that's it. I don't think you need to feel this is a moral question.

The response suggested of "buy me one just like it, same condition" is good, too. As is Keith44's.

I don't think this is a moral question, frankly. (Though you are obviously a good guy to think it is!)

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Tell ya what -I'll give you $250.00 for it and it ain't your problem anymore. Tell the grandkid that you gave it to a lawyer in payment for legal fees for representing you in that "misunderstanding" a while back involving the pygmy and the the crate of grapefruits.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Grandpa kept telling his grandson that he sure wished he never had sold his Marlin rifle. I have never met the grandson but I know the grandson's sister.

That answers both questions.

If this is in fact his regret so close to death, the only remaining question is what is going to make you feel best about yourself-- Repairing a regret for a dying old man, or telling him a deal is a deal? Ultimately, this isn't about gramps, grandson or the rifle. It's about you.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

You have no obligation here. If the kid wants it get his number and tell him he gets first chance 'if' you ever decide to sell it and it will be at a price to be determined by you.

 

[nostraDONus]

Tell ya what -I'll give you $250.00 for it and it ain't your problem anymore. Tell the grandkid that you gave it to a lawyer in payment for legal fees for representing you in that "misunderstanding" a while back involving the pygmy and the the crate of grapefruits.

Was that the pygmy with the gimpy left leg and the grapefruit addiction? I heard about that one. Sad, sad story.

 

[Bekeart]

I see NO reason to have dealings with the grandson.

The owner made his choice very plain when he took the money.

IF, and a very big IF, the original owner had made the call I might consider negotiation. The request for one of identical vintage and condition seem reasonable.

Wonder what other items the grandson (and possibly others) are going to try to retrieve at long ago prices.


Marlin Model 336 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Starting in 1973, the year of manufacture can be determined by subtracting the first two digits of the serial number from 100: Example: SN 2512345 would have been made in 1975 [100 - 25 = 75].

24***** would be from 1976.


Bekeart

 

[nostraDONus]

For whatever reason, he was asking $200 for it and I paid what he was asking.

$200 in 1999 is not $200 in 2010. Sounds like your relationship was not very close, so how do you feel about an 11 year loan for no interest. If that's ok, sell it back for the same amount. If not, he needs to dig a bit deeper for the rifle if it is so important.

Hey, I'm sorry I let a pristine Model 28 go for a ridiculous price 6 years ago. If I were to buy it back now I know I would have to sweeten the pot.

 

[michael thornton]

i bought my first new marlin 336 for $75 i wish i knew who had it so i could buy it back for that!

 

[feralmerril]

When it comes to guns it seems that morals or the lack of them will be tested faster than any other object you can name. I have been through this from just about every side and angle through the years. I have argued over 20 bucks and let good guns get away because of it. Conversly, I have sold guns super cheap where I felt sorry for a almost broke guy. I have flat gave away guns a number of times to people who have done me favors and wasnt looking to be rewarded.
I have had family heirlooms stolen out of my house, and have never got over it. I also have sold some inherited guns when I was young and dumb and have hated and never forgave myself for it.
One time I had a friend/captain supervisor trade me a "blood gun" that the judge gave him when he was a deputy many years ago because he solved the case. I dont know how many times I heard him whine about tradeing me the gun and wished he hadnt. Then one day I located a identical old HDM for sale about 50 years old and unfired. I told frank go buy me that gun and trade it to me for your old one. He wouldnt do it!
I would ask the kid exactly why he wants it as his grandpa never shot it and it couldnt really be sentiment. On the other hand you also havent shot it. From a couple of your other posts I assume you arent hurting financialy, and dont need to sell it.
You know, truth is, if your something like me, we have classic guns in the safe that never get shot, are "queens". Someday we croak, the guns probley get sold eventualy dirt cheep to someone that also puts them in the safe to never be used to. When we were young certain guns appealed to us and got shot a lot. In my case I bought my first good revolver, a single six when I was about 19. I shot that more than my last 50 exspendsive safe queen revolvers put together!
This may be a big deal to the kid even if his reasoning isnt like yours. You probley could give it to him for free and it probley wouldnt change a minute of your life. I once had a springfield 45-70 carbine for sale at a gunshow back in the 1970s. I forget what I had on it. Some nice young guy pulled out every dime and bill out of his pockets and was something like $40s short back then. He was literaly almost bawling! In a weak moment I handed him the rifle and scooped up the money. Giveing up $40s didnt change my life. Wonder if he remembers it like I do.

 

[DeathGrip]

That answers both questions.

If this is in fact his regret so close to death, the only remaining question is what is going to make you feel best about yourself-- Repairing a regret for a dying old man, or telling him a deal is a deal?

We all wish we didn't sell something at one time or another.Just because the Grandson knows where it went don't give him the right to ask for it back at the '99 price.Thats not how the world turns.I've often said "I wish I hadn't sold that".I would never ask for the same deal to get something back.If he wants the gun he should offer you something for your investment in time.
oldman45,You don't owe him anything.

I would have told him I sold it in 2000.To late for that.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Quite possible the Grandson never knew Grandfather had a rifle.
I would sell it to him for the purchase price of $200.00.
Its not like the rifle in question is a rare piece.
Less hassel and you will feel right.
Jimmy

 

[Skeeziks]

I do not know the yr of manufacture
but the SN is 2400XXXX

Your Marlin was made in 1976 (you subtract the 24 from the year 2000 to get yr. of mfr.)

A truly un-fired NIB 336 from '76 would bring a lot more than $200.
Assuming he bought it new in '76, he paid a lot less than $150. (it retailed for $144.95), so he made a little profit on his investment when he sold it to you for $200.
So the idea of the grandson buying a new one and swapping you for yours won't work 'cause, #1...he won't find another NIB from '76 and #2...if he did, he probably wouldn't be able to afford it!

If I had your Marlin in my possession there is no way I let it go for $200.

 

[cp1969]

I would sell it to the grandson for $200.

 

[Skeeziks]

I've got a un-fired NIB mod. 27 mfd. in 1976.... Should I sell it to my friend for two hundred bucks?

Well...should I?