A few questions about your log books.

[Reevolvers]

So I have been logging my collection the same way for a decade and a half. I keep a folder with all pertinent info regarding my firearms. I will print the info from the manufactures web site, and staple the original receipt to that. Then on a separate sheet of paper I list all Info to including serial number barrel length model number place and date of purchase as well as original purchase price. If I sell a gun (very rare) I will update the page. I keep these records in case of theft, or what have you. I and my best buddy want to keep duplicate copies of each others in our safes. My question is how do my brothers and sisters here log your info? Mine while quite detailed seems a bit out dated and somewhat cumbersome. Should I just go with a ledger of some sort, or should I keep info logged on a disk? How do you go about this? Just seems to be something I think a lot about! Please advise Thanks!

Brandon

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I keep all of my paperwork in a folder in my safe. I also have a spreadsheet that lists the gun, price, dob if known and whether I have the box. The spreadsheet is in a folder with other documents that I back up from time to time.

I also download pdf files of manuals where available and keep them in their own folder.

I have photos of most of my firearms, but I need to organize them better.

I have been thinking about writing a database program to record everything and include links to image files of each firearm and scans of the bill of sale and links to the pdf file. This would allow me to search the database and create lists sorted by caliber, manufacturer and what ever else I think of.

I will do this some day when I run out of work. It could be a couple of months or a couple of years before I get to it.

 

[Reevolvers]

I keep all of my paperwork in a folder in my safe. I also have a spreadsheet that lists the gun, price, dob if known and whether I have the box. The spreadsheet is in a folder with other documents that I back up from time to time.

I also download pdf files of manuals where available and keep them in their own folder.

I have photos of most of my firearms, but I need to organize them better.

I have been thinking about writing a database program to record everything and include links to image files of each firearm and scans of the bill of sale and links to the pdf file. This would allow me to search the database and create lists sorted by caliber, manufacturer and what ever else I think of.

I will do this some day when I run out of work. It could be a couple of months or a couple of years before I get to it.

Do you take photos yourself for insurance purposes? The only pics I have in my log books are that which comes from the manufactures web sites. Should I have my own photos?

 

[mtelkhntr]

As to the question, I took a two step approach. I bought a ledger book and enter in anything pertinent about the firearm. Make, Model, S/N, Bbl length, scope, scope S/N, where & when purchased or acquired and what I paid for it along with any history. Some I've inherited with the thought they'd stay in the family so that's all written in the book.

Then by make, model & S/N, I've created seperate envelopes that contain all the original tags and whatall along with receipts for purchase, repairs, or attachments. If the firearm is somewhat rare, I will print copies of recent sales of the same or similar fireams that I've found on the internet and put them in the envelopes also.

No one knows what I have as well as I do and if I haven't sold them before I'm gone, I sure as heck want them to know what they have and about what they're worth.

 

[roundgunner]

I do mine on a simple excell spreadsheet.

MAKE...............MODEL.............. .............CALIBER..SER..NUMBER...........OTHER INFO..................................................................VALUE
BERETTA........... 92FS LIMITED ED.......... 9mm................ BER25????........ 1 OF 2001 UNITED WE STAND COMMORITIVE NEVER FIRED........... $?00
BROWNING....... BUCK MARK.................. 22 LR............... 655PP1????...... RED DOT SIGHT. TRIGGER JOB BATT 2032............. $?00
RUGER............. 22/45 MK III................. 22 LR............... 2282????................. TARGET................................................ $?00
RUGER............. REDHAWK..................... 44 MAG.............503-2????......... SS 7 3/8 BBL TRIGGER WORK, CHAMPHERED CHAMBERS, RED DOT SITE BATT 2032 $?00

The spacing works on excell but not on the forum.

I try to keep up on it so if I croak my wife will have a clue of the values. I hope the kids split them up like we did with my grandfathers collection. Everyone gets a pick then everyone gets another pick, untill they are gone.

 

[pharmer]

I've been using the old "Gunsafe" program for about 8 years. Has everything I need including image files. Even though it is no longer supported, it works very well. I keep a copy on a thumbdrive and update the copy as often as I add new items. Joe

 

[writerinmo]

I used the standard info needed for keeping track of my C&R purchases and made it into an actual bound book, I just have an extra one that I keep track of my non-C&R stuff in as well as pictures. People must like them, I've sold 125 of them since February!

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Do you take photos yourself for insurance purposes? The only pics I have in my log books are that which comes from the manufactures web sites. Should I have my own photos?

I take my own photos. I usually take several at different angles and keep the ones that I like.

 

[sipowicz]

I always start off with my rank and star date.

then I fill out one of these..

http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-3312-8.pdf

 

[H Richard]

Use an Excel spread sheet with all pertinent info, as well as date acquired, purchase price, and "current" value. (I update about once a year). I keep a separate one just for S&W's with additional info such as type of grips, barrel length, finish, and Factory Ship Date. The S&W's I sort in Frame size order. I tried to post a copy once of how it is laid out , but trying to post Excel to the Forum is "unfriendly".

 

[nipster]

Unfortunately I have to keep "double records" of some of my stuff, as I have a C&R FFL, and have to keep records in the "bound book". I also have an MS Excel spreadsheet where I keep every one of my guns, I arrange it in vertical columns with variables, each row is a gun. Here are my columns.

Make Model Caliber Barrel Serial # Finish Grips Acquisition Date Acquisition Cost Acquired From Type Disposition Date Disposed To Sale Price

I also have a hanging file in a file cabinet where i keep all my "paper records", AKA bills of sale, reciepts, etc

Edit: since that didnt come out very well, here is a screen cap of a little slice of my inventory, I also color code stuff I have sold