Guns to Keep

[redlevel]

We are an old(er) bunch here for the most part. There are frequent threads and posts about “thinning the herd” or “cutting way back” or something similar. I think most of us don’t want to leave a spouse or children with a bunch of guns to dispose of. I have really “cut back” in the last year or so, selling 10-12 guns and buying only two.

Recently, it occurred to me that my folks wouldn’t know which guns they need to keep. I’m thinking pieces with sentimental value, particularly old family pieces. If my daughter knew which guns were significant, she would almost certainly keep them. I figure my list would start with the 20 gauge Parker my Daddy gave me. His uncle bought it in 1916, and left it to Daddy. Next would be the first gun I bought with my own money, a Marlin 39-A. There are several handed down in my wife’s family.

Without a list, including serial numbers, descriptions, and the reasons for the importance of the particular guns, they just wouldn’t know. Incidentally, I personally will include a few guns with no paper trail on my list, whether sentimentally important or not.

Just something else to think about as I get old.

 

[italiansport]

I have since Day 1 maintained a written inventory/appraisal of all the firearms in my possession. I have done this for a number of reasons including denoting firearms with sentimental/family value, and to ensure my wife or other family members would have a good idea of value should I suddenly expire. My firearms are listed with a value in the high wholesale to the low resale range and each listing contains enough information to be able to accurately describe any firearm to a potential buyer. Since I update my list on a regular basis the time required is minimal.
Jim

 

[gman51]

Sadly guns we have sentimental history with perhaps will mean nothing to who gets them when we are gone. It more than likely is just another gun to them.
I keep a ledger of my guns telling what model, serial number, when purchased and what I paid for them. When I sell a gun it also gets recorded in the ledger when it was sold and for how much.
I usually only sell off what I just don't have much interest in.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I agree. In my head, I hear “That was dad’s first gun, but . . .” The only thing you can do is document the history. After you die, the heirs will do what they want regardless . . .

Sadly guns we have sentimental history with perhaps will mean nothing to who gets them when we are gone. It more than likely is just another gun to them.
I keep a ledger of my guns telling what model, serial number, when purchased and what I paid for them. When I sell a gun it also gets recorded in the ledger when it was sold and for how much.
I usually only sell off what I just don't have much interest in.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Ruthie only wants to keep her LCP. The other residents of my safe are going to my youngest and her husband (both gun folks) to be kept in the family for them and any interested grandkids.

 

[joeintexas]

I don't sell any of my steel guns, the polymer ones can all be replaced in a heartbeat, I enjoy shooting them but their is no attachment. When they've thrown dirt in my face for the last time the family can do as they please. Now having said that, if I should come across a steal on a nice K frame I have told Linda that oldbear(fred)has first right of refusal.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Gee but the graveyard
Is a lonesome place
Lord that graveyard
Is a lonesome place
They put you on your back
Throw that mud down in your face
I've got the T.B. blues
Jimmie Rodgers

I need to tell my kids again, everybody pick some guns they like.
Then sell the rest.
But don’t get into too big a hurry!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My problem and my son's and son-in-law's problem is every gun I (or we) own is part of a love affair! I LOVE ALL MY GUNS! I sold off the ones that gave me a mleh feeling. The wives on the other hand understand the importance of a heirloom, but there is a sizable amount tied up in these objects of my passion!

I have a mental list of who gets what, and as long as it is a mental list I can buy, sell, or trade anything I own. But the putting it in writing, kind of obligates me to have it on hand for their inheritance.

I see the huge RV's with the bumper sticker that says "I'm enjoying my children's inheritance!", and understand that, IT IS MINE, UNTIL I"M GONE! SO GO GET YOUR OWN. The offspring that do nothing but wait for someone in the family to die, THEY ARE CIRCELING BUZZARDS! and I think they are despicable.

But those thoughts aside, who gets what is still the question.

There are some things that go to the First Born by tradition. In my family there are some things that go to the Second son and some things that go to the youngest son. But when you have more that 3 kids, it messes these traditions up!

Since I don't have the problem of a second wife, like dad did, my family stuff will stay in the family. Instead of going to the #2's cousins and nephews. (The 6 grand kids and 10 great grand kids got hosed!)

Ivan

 

[ColbyBruce]

Don’t forget to document your handgun holsters and stocks too.

 

[Inusuit]

I volunteer at a Museum and do research work on their firearms. I have donated several of my Dad's firearms to the Museum in the community where he lived. Of course, his grandson wanted some and he had first pick. By donating family firearms, they will in most cases become a permanent part of the the collection and attributed to you as donor with credit to the original owner. A great way to preserve family history after descendents are satisfied.

 

[pharmer]

After I die there ain't a dang thing on this planet that I am concerned about. Have fun. Joe

 

[italiansport]

I volunteer at a Museum and do research work on their firearms. I have donated several of my Dad's firearms to the Museum in the community where he lived. Of course, his grandson wanted some and he had first pick. By donating family firearms, they will in most cases become a permanent part of the the collection and attributed to you as donor with credit to the original owner. A great way to preserve family history after descendents are satisfied.

With all due respect, you can't count on that happening. Once you permanently donate anything to a museum it becomes their property. Many museums are loaded/overloaded with firearms and militaria from what I've been told and regularly run the 'surplus' thru auction houses to raise funds for other purchases. I would, at the very least, get a commitment in writing that your items will be permanently retained for display.
Jim

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I am going to keep all mine and add to them till the day I die. NO THINNING OR SELLING OFF. That day my wife and son/daughter can do with them as they please.

 

[Ματθιας]

I make a living flipping stuff. I see so many things that are supposed to be sentimental and family heirlooms sold for quick cash. They tell me this as a negotiation tactic. With few exceptions, the younger folks of today have no connection, nor do they care about history.

I'm not saying this is a case with you all, but I see it a lot.

As for me, I have no family of my own, not married. The only family I have is my sister's. After seeing them sell off both of my BIL's dad and Gdad's property, I'm not leaving anything to them. To save them the trouble, I'll sell my property and enjoy the fruits of my collection.

 

[SW_shooter]

I started collecting/acquiring firearms only a few years ago. Due to a shortened life expectancy I am beginning the process of selling some of these acquisitions. It's sad but I don't have a family member to whom to pass these. I've decided I'll pass them on to someone (via selling them) who appreciates them as much as I have when I first acquired them.

The couple that I keep I will leave to my sweet spouse. She will most likely sell them after I'm gone, but at least I'll enjoy them until then.

 

[Drm50]

I have mine logged. The family stuff will be given to those who appreciate them as family heirlooms even if they don't shoot that much. The rest of them will be sold by Bro, Son or SIL. Bro knows as much as I do and son and SIL are pin ball wizards on net. They will squeeze them out for top dollar no doubt.

 

[Golddollar]

I made sure to make specific bequests in my Will regarding a lot of my guns. It would be hard to explain the connections between certain people and certain guns, so I just made the directions in the Will without a lot of explanation. If the heirs like what they get, that's wonderful, and if they don't, there's nothing I can do at that point anyway. People that know me know that during my life I have always tried to put thought and care into gifts. I figure putting as much as possible in specific bequests will make it more likely my wishes will be understood and carried out.

 

[keith44spl]

I gift'd a couple of dozen each to the son and daughter......

All my LEO sidearms are divided equally and my sport / hunting arms
the grandsons are afixing hangin' tags on em.

Everyone gets what they like and will use. Wife get all the engraved ones,
cause I liked em....And then she'll divide them among the children.

I've already sold off all the trade stock, so it's clear sailing from here on out.


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