Why would you sell grandpa's revolver?

[adams484]

Once you're gone, you;ve lost any control over the situation and beer & pizza money may be all your prized pre-war safe queen becomes to the next custodian.

Well my plan is to leave them to a family member or be buried with them. I don't care about the AR's and a lot of them but the idea of my hard earned revolver collection going for pizza just chaps my hide. The beer I might understand a little more if it was good beer and not swill.

 

[adams484]

I will never run across a deal like that because I have never owned or ever will onw a plastic brick to trade...

They are not a bad gun just like a Bic lighter is not a bad lighter but you wouldn't leave one to your progeny now would you.

 

[m4user]

I read posts like this and feel fortunate that I have two sons who will get a great deal of enjoyment out of what I have accumulated over the years. They both have started their own modest collections and enjoy going to the range. I only hope there is a place to shoot when the time comes.

In the meantime, I shall do my part to give a good home to any unwanted S&W, Winchester or 20th Century military firearm.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Well in 4 billion years the sun will supernova and incinerate the Earth and every last S&W along with it. Gramps gun won't matter much then.

Not really............

 

[Rick61]

I have most of my grandfather's guns. I inherited them from my parents in a sort of uncomfortable way.
We are talking about 6 long guns, most of which he started collecting around 1948 after he was discharged from his service as an army surgeon and he had his family settled down nicely. The guns actually came to me from my mother after my father had passed away. I had not given them much thought until she told me that she had asked the police to come and take them away because they made her nervous to have in the house. As luck would have it the police said she would have to bring them in if she wanted them destroyed and she didn't have the energy to do that.
When I found out about this I told her to stop, I would take them, and I bought a safe. I saved from destruction a 1948 Winchester Model 12, a 1948 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06, Winchester double barrels in 12 and 20 gauge from the same vintage, a 22 bolt action with no SN from around the same time that is a little clone of the Model 70, and a pump action 22 that's marked as a Trailblazer.
Our mom didn't even ask us if we wanted the guns, she just called the cops and asked them to take them away. Thankfully the cops in our town don't do that and now they're in my safe.

 

[Barrie]

I inherited virtually nothing from my Dad's estate due to 2 greedy brothers and my sister. My father was good to me but not into guns at all. I do have a grandson who will probably receive most of my stuff, thats fine by me as he is a really good boy.Finding a great deal on the 19-4 revolver is great as we all deserve a good deal on occasion. You sure got a pretty one.

 

[smokycity]

If the kids & grand kids didn't carry pop's old war & hunting guns off to the local gunshop or gunshow to sell, then we'd never have much chance to own some of these treasures ourselves...snip

True. I'm still waiting for one of those bring back Thompson M-1A1, MP-38/40, Stg-44, Garand, M-3, M-2, etc., that have been hiding in the old foot locker in the attic to come my way.

 

[sniper007]

Well in 4 billion years the sun will supernova and incinerate the Earth and every last S&W along with it. Gramps gun won't matter much then.

Dang, I heard it was 5 billion, now you have me nervous....

Yeah but you have to wonder how he ended up with the revolver if he didn't know him that well...

Another possibility is that there was no "grandpa" and the gun was gotten some other way, maybe in a trade, or possibly stolen.

 

[sixtwoniner]

That is one damn fine 19. Enjoy it.

After reading some of these I feel really blessed. My adult son and I share the hunting, shooting, loading hobby. When I go he'll get it all as his sister isn't into it. I get a good amount of satisfaction knowing that every thing I have and will have will continue to give my and my son's progeny entertainment and security for a long time to come. I do agree. They are just things to collect.
Side note: My Grandpa was the man in my life too from 5 on. I got his mechanical intuition and followed him in the millwrights trades. When he passed I inherited his tools. Still use them today then my son will have them. Don't fret for his sister my wife and I have many types of collectibles around.
Thanks for the post.

 

[TAROMAN]

Usually its for quick cash for the latest electronic toy or drugs or whatever tweaks their interest at the moment.
See this in the LGS all the time.
In fact, today they gave $275 for an inherited 27-2 in like new condition.

 

[edjack]

I hope no revenoors are reading this. Your transfer was illegal.

 

[les_garten]

I hope no revenoors are reading this. Your transfer was illegal.

How ya figure that?

 

[kbm6893]

My father in law gave me a German Mauser that he got from his uncle,
Who served in WW II. 8MM Mauser ammo. I don't know if it was a bring back. It had all the nazi markings and everything matched up. But it had been sporterized and reblued. New European stock installed. Just wasn't original.

I sold that one. Didn't feel bad and I doubt my father in law would care. He isn't a gun guy at all.

 

[les.b]

Several years ago I was at the "Barbershop" one Saturday, guys often trade guns there. The owner, a friend of mine showed me this little gem. A young fellow had come in and asked if he could keep it there in case anyone was interested in buying it. I was. It had belonged to his grandfather. I had already missed out on the Baby Brownung in its original rug, and a bunch of other gems. I liked it so much that I added the ivory stocks:



It had been customized supposedly by an old Baltimore Policeman many years ago. Colt Army Special from 1925, factory work stamped, and what I believe is factory checkering on the front and backstraps, and customized hammer:



If it had been given to me when my grandfather passed away, there is no way I would have ever sold it.

Best Regards, Les

 

[K Frame Keith]

All of my children have expressed interest in one or more of my firearms. I have my father's LE weapons and intend to pass them down to our son. I'm glad they have an interest, but would not be upset if they did not want to keep my entire collection. They know the history of most of my collection and hope they will share their favorite memories and keep selected peices. Nice M19 there. Great trade.

 

[K Frame Keith]

True. I'm still waiting for one of those bring back Thompson M-1A1, MP-38/40, Stg-44, Garand, M-3, M-2, etc., that have been hiding in the old foot locker in the attic to come my way.

Our County Prosecutor's Office had a Thompson that had been turned in by a WW2 Vet's widow. They brought it out once a year during recruit firearms training. That's all I know about that story.

 

[sniper007]

I hope no revenoors are reading this. Your transfer was illegal.

In California or any similar Fascist State that would be true, but in some States of the Union a "paperless" transaction would be totally legal.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone in America is under the same laws, but we're not.

In fact, many people have tremendous difficulty understanding that people in other countries live fundamentally very different lives and think in very different ways. This provincial thinking isn't just "to-may-to" vs "to-mah-to", its like the difference between "live and let live" vs "Join my religion or I will kill you."

This seems to be the biggest challenge facing humans today, and a prudent man will be prepared by "keeping his powder dry."

The OP got a stunning gun in a fair trade -- because both participants walked away happy. I have a modest collection which includes a very fun variety of pistols and revolvers, and when I start selling them off (because I have no one to leave them to) my Smiths (a 29-2, a 19-2, a 15-2, and a 37) will be the last to go. None of them belonged to family, but they all have stories, and the J-frame belonged to a girlfriend, who has since passed away.

Yes, they are just things. I have a friend who said he couldn't understand why people collected antiques. He was born in Berlin in 1930, and when he was growing up no one wanted things that were "old." That stuff went into the trash.

I told him that for some people antiques connected them to a different time and or place. It's not the thing, it's the connection. My 1916 P08 Luger "feels" like history. My 1927 Martin Sax feels differently than a new one. When an item was owned and maybe cherished by a loved one, the connection is personal.

These feelings we have are why, when selling something cherished, we often want assurance that the buyer will cherish it as well. Buyers know this and will often say something like: "I love this and will keep it forever," even though they plan on flipping it, and already have a buyer in mind.

Such is the nature of humans...

 

[scoobysnacker]

Quote:
Originally Posted by edjack View Post
I hope no revenoors are reading this. Your transfer was illegal.

In California or any similar Fascist State that would be true, but in some States of the Union a "paperless" transaction would be totally legal.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking everyone in America is under the same laws, but we're not.

Where I live, firearm trades and sales between individuals are completely legal face to face with no paperwork, so long as the recipient can legally own a gun.

 

[N7BLW]

I recently posted on a local forum to sell or trade a Glock of some description just to move it from the safe. I offered it for a small sale price but really wanted to trade for a Smith revolver.
I got a response from a young guy who said he had some interest if we could get together. We met at a local burger joint had a small lunch and went to the car where he showed me his revolver and I showed him my Glock.
He told me his grandfather had passed away and left him this beautiful Model 19-4 Nickel plated with target hammer and trigger.
I asked if we could deal he said yes he really wanted the Glock and then supprised me by saying that he wasn't a revolver guy and didn't know his grandfather that well.
I walked away with this beautiful Smith & Wesson Model 19 and a sad feeling about the poor grandad!
Took it home cleaned it up and removed the grips to find grandpa's name inscribed on the inside of the frame.
I will keep it just to remember him and perhaps pass it along to a great grand child of mine with the sad story of how i came to have it.

I have a very nice ca. 1909 6 1/2 inch 32-20 target model I acquired kinda like your M 19. Grandkid wanted something else than gramps old revolver with a homemade shoulder holster. Grandpa carried the gun while a guard at a local prison in the 1920s. Great piece of history I would not have parted with were I that grandson.

 

[BornToLooze]

I probably just happened into grandpa's revolver. Has the previous owners name engraved on the backstrap. The only person I can find local on google was a LEO for Houston PD for 30 some odd years. Kind of makes you wonder about the stories some of these old guns we have could tell doesn't it?

After I finish my reloading setup I'm going to shoot the hell out it.