Family or Inherited Guns

[flundertaker]

I often see threads about guns passed down within a family. How much their worth, what they are, etc. I’m curious how many folks are in the same boat as I and have not / will not ever be the recipient of an heirloom or family gun for whatever reason? I’ve had family members who had a gun or 2, even had a family member in law enforcement but they just weren’t into guns as collectibles or as they got older the guns went away (not sure where). I a little jelous of those fortunate to have received a nice gun with a family connection. I am certainly going to bless a couple people in my family eventually with a couple nice pieces. I hope they will see them as something worth keeping and passing on.

 

[sjmjax]

Our father served in WW2. But, came home with little to no interest in firearms. The only gun he owned was a bolt action 410 shotgun. Something from Wards or Sears I believe. Little brother took possession and restored it.

I inherited our older brother’s guns. Quite a few and very eclectic. He was an impulsive purchaser. Many unfired but most generally of little interest to me except for the family connection.

 

[Valmet]

While I own a handful of heirloom guns, ranging from cheap, single-shot shotguns to high-end sidelocks, I know a lot of folks who don’t have any firearms from a heirloom standpoint simply because their families haven’t had any interest in firearms at all. The few firearms they may have had are either sold/traded away or just lost over time.

 

[biku324]

My ancestors were poor farmers, but passed on an old W. Richards (not WC Richards) 12 gauge SxS underlever from great grandpa and a Stevens-Maynard Jr boy's rifle in 22 from a great uncle.

 

[lihpster]

I have guns that belonged to my father, my brother, my mother, my grandfather and 2 uncles. I had one from another uncle, but I gave it to his son when he decided he wanted it. I have a gun that was my Godfather's and one that belonged to a dear, departed friend. I treasure them all.

 

[rustythread]

Back in 1958, I inherited my granddad's 1900-vintage takedoe 12 ga Win 1897; around 2001, I got a nice German 16 ga sxs an uncle brought home rom Germany ca 1946. Several years ago, I passed them on to cousins on that side of the family. I still have a flintlock pistol brought home by the same uncle.

My daughter is not a hunter or recreational shooter, and already has all the defensive firearms she wants. I need to get busy and sell off the rest of my accumulation to simplify probate.

 

[ridewv]

Around 1970 my father bought a Colt .25 just to have a little pistol to pocket carry occasionally. His father never had a firearm as far as he knew. But around 1975 when going through his father's things after he passed away, in the back of a dresser drawer he found a Colt 1908 Vest Pocket .25 in the box along along with a couple boxes of cartridges. I am now entrusted with both.

 

[sophie]

I’ve never inherited a firearm from any of my family members.

 

[Rob613]

Grandfather- Marlin 336 Waffle Top, Ithaca Deer Slayer

Father- Remington 870 Wingmaster (it was his dads but I never met my grandfather)

Step Father- Winchester 94 and S&W 19-3

They are all well used, none of them were collectors.

 

[hkcavalier]

Just an inexpensive Sears-branded (Ted Williams) Winchester 1400 from my father. I fire it every once in a blue moon, but it's not rated for steel so has limited utility in this day and age.

His two nicer guns, a Hi-Standard Military and a Husqvarna .30-06, were stolen in the 80s and never recovered.

 

[greenwellg]

Pop tossed his issue 45 over the side of the ship returning from Europe. He thought it would get him in trouble for theft of govt property. Oldest brother told them to call Greentop (Richmond Va) and sell every one of his (over 100) to them. I had enough cash on hand to give him a much better price than they did but I'm glad I didn't and was never offered the opportunity. I have no heirs of my own bloodline and am not aware of any of the wife's kids or grandkids even interested in any firearm.
When the wife's father was home invasion robbed, the chief of the Hampton police gave him his concealed carry Model 36. I still have it 25 years later and the police building is named after that chief.
They will carry them to Classic in Va Beach to be auctioned and that will be the end of whatever I own at the time. I used to have a collectors license decades ago but almost every one is now gone. A lot of friends got holy grail guns for their collections from me. Best example is a 1871 Mauser that was actually made in England, I got for $400 in original configuration in nice condition.
I'll be dead, they will get some money, but the chances are I could outlive all except the grandchildren if I come close to Pop's 103.5 when he passed 6 days before my 74th birthday. I still play pickleball 2.5 hours most days, 75 on the 22nd November 2025. I was 13 the day JFK was assassinated

 

[grover99]

I often see threads about guns passed down within a family. How much their worth, what they are, etc. I’m curious how many folks are in the same boat as I and have not / will not ever be the recipient of an heirloom or family gun for whatever reason? I’ve had family members who had a gun or 2, even had a family member in law enforcement but they just weren’t into guns as collectibles or as they got older the guns went away (not sure where). I a little jelous of those fortunate to have received a nice gun with a family connection. I am certainly going to bless a couple people in my family eventually with a couple nice pieces. I hope they will see them as something worth keeping and passing on.

I had a bunch of gun but as I got older I no longer I got out to shoot them very much so I started to pass them on to my son. Something around 20 or so guns passed on to him keeping only a couple of carry guns and a 22 revolver. He likes guns but raising three kids and sending them to collage left little for shooting. Now I know when I pass my collection has a good home. Maybe in the future my great grandson might get one or more of those guns

 

[MetalMan]

I’ve never inherited a firearm from any of my family members.

Same situation for me…no one in my immediate family had any interest in firearms.

My kids and grandkids will have a completely different experience, though.

 

[borntxn]

It took some time but I was able to take possession of my Dad's Winchester Model 62 Gallery gun a few years back. It's not worth a whole lot but is priceless to me. It will go to my son & then grandson at some point. Here's a rough photo.

 

[jscheck]

My dad died when I was 7 months old and although I have a .22 bolt action he owned that's it. I purchased all of my carry weapons from my career and more pistols and a few rifles and shotguns I like which will be passed down to one of my sons and my grandchildren. I think (hope anyway) that the pistols with LEO history will mean a bit to them and be kept in the family.

 

[Model19man]

My maternal grandfather gave me my first gun, a .410 bolt action single shot, when I was celebrating my 8th birthday. It was a used Wards Riverside from the local pawn shop. He died in 1970 so it is fitting that I inherited his pump action Winchester Model 1897 shotgun (he bought it new in 1923) and his Winchester Model 1890 22 WRF that he bought brand new. I did not inherit his Winchester lever action rifle Model 1876 in 45-90 caliber or his Browning Superposed that had four extra barrels in a custom made boot. Still I am glad that I knew him and inherited the guns that he shot the most.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Dad gave a few guns to my son, but none to me.

And that's okay with me. He will treasure them for a lifetime.

My Grandad had a Mossberg shotgun, a Savage .308, and a S&W Model 15. The long guns got sold off when he needed some cash, and the revolver got sold when my grandmother put a round into the telephone narrowly missing him - she "thought it wasn't loaded." So no family guns for me.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

After my dad passed away my mom simply wanted his guns sold...most had little value anyway. I did keep two...the M1 Carbine he bought through the NRA is the mid-1960s...still have the sales invoice. He paid the princely sum of $17.50+$2.50 mailing costs. The other I kept was my grandfather's Iver Johnson .38 S&W.

 

[1sailor]

Back in the 50's when I was about 4 my father showed me his old pistol. It was the first real gun I'd ever seen. It was a Colt marked as 32 New Police. He told me that when I grew up it would be mine. Many years later after he passed his live in girlfriend for some reason decided that it was rightfully hers. She demanded I give it to her or she would hold up the trust until she died. After a lot of pressure from the rest of my family I finally agreed and gave it to her. She ended up holding up the trust for about ten years anyway. No idea why she wanted it.

 

[Countrycuz]

Dad gave a few guns to my son, but none to me.

And that's okay with me. He will treasure them for a lifetime.

My Grandad had a Mossberg shotgun, a Savage .308, and a S&W Model 15. The long guns got sold off when he needed some cash, and the revolver got sold when my grandmother put a round into the telephone narrowly missing him - she "thought it wasn't loaded." So no family g

I often see threads about guns passed down within a family. How much their worth, what they are, etc. I’m curious how many folks are in the same boat as I and have not / will not ever be the recipient of an heirloom or family gun for whatever reason? I’ve had family members who had a gun or 2, even had a family member in law enforcement but they just weren’t into guns as collectibles or as they got older the guns went away (not sure where). I a little jelous of those fortunate to have received a nice gun with a family connection. I am certainly going to bless a couple people in my family eventually with a couple nice pieces. I hope they will see them as something worth keeping and passing on.

This is a current consideration of mine right now. I inherited a Stevens shotgun from an uncle a few years ago, l haven't even fired it as I have plenty of other shotguns I barely use anymore. My Dad passed away recently, but the estate isn't settled yet. I am sure I could get one or two of his guns, but I'm not sure if I even want any. None of them were ones I grew up with, which where stolen years ago.
After the passing of my wife in February, I need to make a new will. We have no direct heirs, I don't even know what to do with the stuff I've got now. Only a nephew and a cousin have expressed a passing interest. I may leave some to a few old shooting pals, a least they will appreciate it.