Selling heirloom guns. Stop feeling guilty about it!

[Frank46]

My Dad was not a gun guy. For whatever reason I think he had an inordinate fear of guns. Maybe he didn't know how operated. Anyway my first was an Argentine 1891 mauser in 7.65 caliber. first words to my Mom was "He's going to shoot the neighbors". So from our side of the family no gun people except he's from NYS and only has a couple. What is very important to me is the 1943 Ithaca 1911A1 I horse traded with my general foreman. Dave was a WWII and served in tanks. We were good friends and that old pistol means a bunch to me. So if it fits the definition of a heirloom gun so be it. Not one I'd be selling anytime soon. No emotional attachment to any I own except a couple, those would be the last to go. I'll be 72 this year and giving thoughts to thinning the herd. Mostly mil surps and in nice shape, no corrosive ammo shot in them. And one in particular has not seen a jacketed bullet in close to 30 years. Cast my bullets for that one. Frank

 

[mike from st pete]

I inherited an ungodly amount of P'08 Lugers, most commercials and a few that were army, navy marked some 'Black Widow' reworks. No feeling for them so they went to collectors that appreciated them, way more than I ever would.
The cash came in way more handy than dozens of guns to keep up.

 

[les.b]

Nice thread, and since there seem to be a bunch of folks on this forum who are starting to get a bit "long in the tooth", it's something we all need to think a little about. My kids are moderately interested in guns, but probably not as many as I have. There are a few guns that I have that are "heirlooms", but not a lot.

Food for thought here....thanks for posting.

Best Regards, Les

 

[raljr1]

I too have started to think about this. My son is into guns, but perhaps not as much as I am. Many of the guns I have accumulated have been gathered in the last 4 or 5 years. No real sentimental value to him, or to me for that matter. There are about 8 or 10 that I would hope he'd keep, because they were his uncle's or grandfather's, and a few of mine.

Those with higher value and no sentimental value he should do with as he wishes. Now if my grandson shows an interest, that plan might change a little.



Robert

 

[JSR III]

I hear both sides of this discussion. There are many guns in my collection that I acquired and have no idea of their history.

There are however, guns that came down through my family that were owned and acquired by grandfathers new and therefore have never been outside the family. There are also the two that my father shipped back from Germany during WWII so again not original to the family but hold a special spot in my heart.

I have two daughters that so far they have provided 4 grandsons. No real indications that they will be interested in these family heirlooms and since they live in NJ and CA respectively, the chances that they could even take them are slim.

So, I know that you can't take them with you but I would like a few to stay in the family.

 

[kthom]

Truth to tell, as I think about what has been said here, the only real heirlooms I have are my two sons, their wives, and their children. My wife and I have been so blessed by these people. They are responsible, upright and trustworthy, and very good citizens. They bring us joy and happiness. We are very well paid (overpaid in fact)!!! And they are not for sale! They are ours only because they choose to be, and they have that choice always.

The rest of my stuff, or our stuff as is the case, is just stuff, and that includes my firearms, much of which I treasure. But I'm just their present caretaker, and they will mostly become the responsibility of my children and grandchildren. They can do what they want to do with them, and at this point in time, I know that they have been properly instructed about the responsibility that goes along with that. I have given some of my firearms and knives to my sons and their children if they express an interest or desire for a specific one. Each of my grandchildren who has graduated from high school now owns one "special" handgun that was also special to me. I plan to continue making that possible. My second oldest granddaughter and two oldest grandsons have killed their first deer, and all the kids have helped their family eat the venison meat that has been harvested by someone in their families. They know where meat, eggs, and milk comes from and that's high praise from me. All these kids are my legacy and my only "possession" (by their own choice) that matters to me. Everything else is just stuff!

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I inherited my Dad's collection most of which were high quality firearms. There is one gun I just "hate" but have not come to grips about selling it yet. It's a Marlin bolt action Goose Gun in 12 Ga. Kicks like hell, cheap Birch wood stock, only holds two in the Box Mag, and is slow as hell. Truthfully I hate the damned thing and wouldn't mind selling it even though it's still in great shape and functions well. I just haven't gotten around to listing it - because it was my Dad's. Silly too, because I have plenty of great others to remember him with.

You're kind of in the boat I was before I felt it was time to let go of a few of my dad's less or non sentimental guns. There might be a time when you decide it's time to sell it, but you'lll wonder if you'll regret it afterward. I took that chance but then felt liberated later. I can't emphasize more the importance, though, of selling them to someone who wants it real bad and the guns will be getting use and more appreciation.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Define "heirloom." If you have no real sentiment for the person, and it's not something you really want or can use....

 

[amazingflapjack]

Not for sale?

"All the stuff that we own has to go at some point"

Not all of it.

Some things are going with me. Like this dumb gun I built when I was a just a nipper (11-ish) Nobody would appreciate it anyways,so may as well take it with me..

So, if you changed your mind, I think Mike from American Pickers would probably pay handsomely for it, especially if you could put some Raccoon excrement on it before you showed it to him, and put it in a place that would require him to crawl through mud in the dark. Just a thought.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Then there is the question of what if you have no one to leave them to, and don't want to sell them?

 

[raljr1]

Then there is the question of what if you have no one to leave them to, and don't want to sell them?

There is always donating them to the NRA museum if they are very unique pieces, or instructing your estate to auction them and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice. Decide how you want them handled after you pass, or they'll end up as a fire sale to some local pawn or gun dealer.

I can understand this point of view. If you don't have heirs that want these Nd don't want to give them up while you still enjoy them.

Robert

 

[Buford57]

I suppose that once I've shuffled off this mortal coil I won't be giving much thought to who has my stuff.