Can I just say it makes me sad...

[Art Doc]

When a new member describes a gun inherited from a father and asks what it's worth so he can sell it? My dad had a small number of firearms and died when I was very young. Mom had to sell the guns so we could eat. All I have are some old photos in an album of him hunting with a Winchester Model 12 and plinking with a 1G Colt SAA. I would give anything to have just one of his guns. It breaks my heart to see guys so absolutely disinterested in keeping their dads' guns.

Oh well. I guess everyone has his own priorities.

 

[Borderboss]

Yes, you're spot on Doc. Even beyond guns, I'm always amazed at the family heirlooms people will sell just because they don't care.

I collect WW2 V-Mail with the intentions of writing a book when I retire. I find it incredible that family will auction on ebay letters between two of their now-dead family members. How can you not be intrigued by your heritage?

 

[.357magger]

Hear what you're saying.

Have a H&R "Sidekick " .22 lr slab sided 4" revolver that I learned to shoot handguns with. It's currently worth about $150 and there's no takers, even though it's pretty accurate, functional, and even looks good. Franzite grips that I used to pretend were ivory. Also several other guns from my grandfather, to my Dad, to me.

To me they're priceless.

Only one of my sons has an interest in firearms, other than basic protection of the home. The others will probably sell all of them after I'm gone. Would be just another asset, regardless of my life long interest.

 

[biku324]

My parents are in their very late 80s and worry about their 'stuff.' It's a valid concern; who could store a house full of old items? True heirlooms are few, but they are hanging onto things best let go. Both grew up in the Great Depression.

 

[CQB27]

I used to feel the same way until a member here told me the story of how he traded a Glock 19 for a 27-2 with a 3.5 inch barrel, fair and square. If I came across a deal like that, poor man's departed father aside, I would be on it like stink on an ape!

 

[bigwheelzip]

To me, the sad part comes before there is an inheritance, when nobody in the family can be "bothered" caring for the old folks enough to make their belongings meaningful.

 

[ralph7]

It may be that a lot of these folks are just wanting to get a value for insurance purposes.
The bright side is that if they sell the gun, you now may have a chance to own it.

 

[sigp220.45]

Some people just aren't into guns, or actively dislike them.

I kept my Dad's guns, but my folks also had a huge number of creepy bird figurines. They were everywhere in their house. I wound up with them, since none of my six siblings wanted them either. They sat in boxes for a while, then I decided to sell them on eBay. Lesson number one: They weren't worth much, and were a pain to ship since they break if you look at them wrong. Lesson number two: Nobody in eBay-world seemed to want them either.

I finally took them to Goodwill. I kept one.

I have a feeling on some creepy bird figurine forum I would be castigated for not hanging onto a Franklin Mint crested titmouse from 1986, but I have plenty of other ways to remember my folks.

 

[Absalom]

Everybody has their own priorities. There are probably people who can't understand how anyone could sell Grandma's Hummel figurines.

When my dad passed, I wasn't hunting anymore and nobody else in the family has an interest in guns at all. So I kept his two hunting knives as (low value but very personal) mementos and arranged for the sale of his shotgun and rifles to a friend of my dad who had teenagers getting into hunting and gave my mom a good price.

Having the guns sitting in my safe instead so I can occasionally fondle them nostalgically would be a waste. This way, I know they'll continue to be used for their intended purpose. I know my old man would have seen it the same way.

 

[jmace57]

Both my son and daughter say "there are too many guns in the world". (I know, I know) Fortunately I have a nephew that loves them, so he is getting everything with family history associated with them.

 

[Sevens]

I see the point but no, it doesn't make me sad. Agree with those who have said that everyone has their own priorities in life and I cannot make priorities for someone else.

A similar tale that I've mentioned before is the young 20-something that showed up at my FFL's small gun shop years back. He had a USGI Colt 1911 that was in fantastic condition and dated to 1926. It would make most folks "of our kind" just beam with pride and wonder.

This pistol was just inherited, came from the young man's Grandfather and he wanted my FFL to take it in on a trade for a "Colt Rail Gun" just like the pistol he's been using on his video game. (insert vomit emoji)

My buddy tried every way to lay it out there and talk him out of it, but it wasn't happening. In the end it was my FFL that ended up taking it and got the kid exactly what he wanted. Someone was going to get it, so at least it went to a good gun guy that tried to show the young man what a colossal error he was making.

For a stretch he wore that 1926 USGI Colt while he ran the shop, OWB as his working sidearm. It really was a beauty.

 

[Billylee]

I have inherited several guns over the years from my Dad, Grandfather, Father in law, wife's Grandfather, and most recently, my kid brother. They are all very special to me...in some way I still have a piece of those wonder men to hang onto. At my passing they will be distributed to my Son in law and Grandsons who understand what they mean to me.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I've bought several S&W revolvers from "the kids" who inherited Dad's or Grandpa's stash. I've always wondered how they could sell off those heirlooms, but I sure enjoy having them.

This thread needs photos. Here are my K-22 from August '47 (the guy's Grandpa bought it new after he got back from the war in Germany) and Model 36 from October '59 (the gal's Dad bought it new to have in his Tennessee highway department dump truck, she still had the original box, two holsters her Dad used, and a box of period ammo he hadn't shot).

I also have some that came from the old Dad whose kids weren't interested so he sold off the collection before his name was called.

Here's a 1984 Model 60 square butt (1 of 600) that an upstate New York farmer carried while driving his tractor.

I'll likely follow that old farmer's lead and sell mine off when that time comes. My daughter isn't interested in handguns, and I'll dang sure get a better price for them than she would.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I know the sentimentality of getting things from our folks, for guys, especially from Dads. It is my desire to leave my guns to my sons. (possible song title?) That is if I don't sell them to them first! I would hope they would respect, treasure and keep them forever and ever.

One truth stands out that dictates how I SHOULD look at things though. One I give them away, they belong to them, not me. I learned long ago to never, never attach strings to what I gift to someone. If I do this I really do not give it to them at all.

What if what I have is really or will be valuable, and because of a desperate need they would sell them to provide for their families? I truly believe things are given with the heart and should be received in like manner. What my Dad has given me is out of his love for me, and nothing material can surpass that.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Some people just aren't into guns, or actively dislike them.

I kept my Dad's guns, but my folks also had a huge number of creepy bird figurines. They were everywhere in their house. I wound up with them, since none of my six siblings wanted them either. They sat in boxes for a while, then I decided to sell them on eBay. Lesson number one: They weren't worth much, and were a pain to ship since they break if you look at them wrong. Lesson number two: Nobody in eBay-world seemed to want them either.

I finally took them to Goodwill. I kept one.

I have a feeling on some creepy bird figurine forum I would be castigated for not hanging onto a Franklin Mint crested titmouse from 1986, but I have plenty of other ways to remember my folks.

I think the 1986 vintage crested titmouse is akin to the dash 4 686's the pinnacle of the Franklin Mint titmouse series.

My dad years ago gave me a pot load of depression glass from my grandmother. I left it in the box outside on the porch for ages. One day I went to open it to decide what to do with the glass and a nest of yellowjackets exploded upon me. After I retreated screaming, counter attacked with a can of wasp spray and cleared out the enemy, I just threw it all away. So much for memories Never liked that stuff anyway

 

[Bullet Bob]

It's only stuff, I don't care what my son does with everything when I leave. What counts is the memories when we were alive.

 

[grover99]

Over the past several years I have cleaning out my collection of guns and giving one or two to my son every year or so. He is more than happy to get them and I know that he will never sell them. He loves guns like I do but having a family with kids getting ready to go college he just can't afford to buy many. I am lucky to have such a wonderful son and grandkids who respect family. I often wonder how that happened because I am a crabby old sort some of the time.

 

[tomahawk223]

same story here, father died when I was 6. He had about 6 handguns and a few long guns that I remember. mother sold them and gave a few back to the PD he was on.
He was also heavy into ham radio back in the 60's. I will never forget the image of the garbage collection truck coming down the street and picking through all the stuff my mother put at the curb and taking the good stuff and putting it in the cab of the truck. I never let my mother forget any of that.

 

[deadear dan]

I was at an estate sale, noticed a beautiful wooden box for sale, but was curious why there was no opening or lid. On the bottom read: "Contains the remains of..." Put it down and was out the door immediately.

 

[Model52guy]

I love it when the kids sell off heirlooms, otherwise I would not have gotten a 1931 K22 OD with King super target sights back in the 90's for $100. I owe a lot of my current collection to those kind of kids.

 

[mtgianni]

I have mentioned specific guns to be given to children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and my wife. If half are still owned by them in a year I will be shocked.
While guns are important to their owners, if I were to inherit a collectible car it would be gone in a week.

 

[handejector]

I don't think we should be so hard on them. People have different likes. They have a right not to care about inherited guns, don't they? Like Sig said above, parents have things that don't interest us, like bird figurines. My mother collected glass shoes. She had a wonderful collection built over many decades in a very large display cabinet. I'm just not that interested.....


Another side of the coin-
Decades ago, a very prim and proper old lady, very well dressed, walked into my shop. I asked if I could help her. She said "Do you know anything about guns?" I smiled and said I might be able to help her. She plops her large purse up on the counter and pulls a 1911-A1 Rem-Rand out, in a very nice custom calf shoulder holster. She says "This was my husband's in WW II. Officers were allowed to keep their pistols and he brought it home." I said "Uh-huh"
She goes on- "He had this holster made in Italy during the War. Here's a picture of him wearing it." She had a pic of him sitting in a jeep with the holster and 45 clearly visible, dated on back with location and his name.
Her- "So, do you know what it is?"
Yes, ma'am.
"Do you buy such guns?"
Yes, ma'am.
"What would you pay for it?"
$450 (this was decades ago, and I WANTED the gun. It was GORGEOUS)
"My nephew wants it, but he said it was worth $300"
Well, ma'am, family comes first, so maybe a nephew should get it at a discount.
"Humph! I'll see if he wants it for $400." She put it in her purse and stomped out.
A few days later, she brought me the gun and holster. I asked for the pic.
"NO, I'm not giving you the pic." I explained the historical significance of keeping the provenance with the gun, and offered to pay her $50 to let me have it copied. No dice, but I bought the gun.

 

[JP@AK]

This thread needs photos.

Yep!

Sometimes I am thankful for the decisions others make. Here are two pictures of a Missouri State Highway Patrol .38 Combat Masterpiece from 1952. I bought it several years ago. I'd been looking for one. The trooper who carried it on duty bought it from the department when he retired. After he passed away, his son sold it to me. He didn't particularly want it, but he was glad to find a collector who wanted it and would appreciate what it is.

 

[GypsmJim]

My buddy were talking about guns one day. He was whining about not knowing what to do with them because his health wasn't too good. I said Man, you have a grandson. I bet he would cherish them. His reply was that his SIL would not have a gun in the house.

I guess the wife will probably go to Cabelas and take whatever they offer.

 

[mocha001]

one of the greatest experiences was being able to take a buck with my grandfather's Winchester model 70 made in 1952.When I inherited it I wanted to know how much it was worth,but I would never sell it.hope to pass it on to my son when my hunting days are over

 

[LVSteve]

It's only stuff, I don't care what my son does with everything when I leave. What counts is the memories when we were alive.

I can surely relate to this. After ma-in-law#1 passed, nobody wanted to get rid of her stuff. Some of it went to a niece but the rest of the stuff ended up in our house and storage.

Three years later, wife#1 passed from cancer. Do you you think I could get clearance to move on what was then her stuff? Nope, her sister expected me to keep my home as a museum and everything in storage. Applying pressure for the sister to come and "help sort this mess out" was only partially successful.

Then my sister-in-law passed. I told the niece and her son "what you cannot take is off to Goodwill". They weren't thrilled, but why should I be the curator of all that stuff.

As for my guns, if there are still any left after I'm gone most of them will be converted into black stiletto pumps if I know wife#2 at all.

 

[biku324]

My buddy were talking about guns one day. He was whining about not knowing what to do with them because his health wasn't too good. I said Man, you have a grandson. I bet he would cherish them. His reply was that his SIL would not have a gun in the house.

I guess the wife will probably go to Cabelas and take whatever they offer.

That situation describes mine, but with a very sad twist. My grandson, who is in his mid-teens, lost his mom (my daughter) to a DV murder by his very new stepdad with a handgun. No one in the extended family, including him, wants anything to do with guns, so I've instructed my surviving daughter where to take mine to get best consignment dollar once I'm dead or demented.

 

[delcrossv]

Both my son and daughter say "there are too many guns in the world". (I know, I know) Fortunately I have a nephew that loves them, so he is getting everything with family history associated with them.

Not to call you out jmace as others have posted similar things, but as a general question as I really don't understand it:

How does it happen that kids of a gun collector wind up being "anti-gun"? My kids shoot guns in my collection and the older ones have started getting their own- each of them has their faves, but all of them like guns and shooting.

 

[biku324]

^^^Easy - peers in a a more urban and suburban society.

 

[delcrossv]

^^^Easy - peers in a a more urban and suburban society.

??? We live in the 'burbs. So do our gun owning friends.