Unload decrease value? Bad idea?

I volunteer at The American Legion to clean, repair & service rifles. At this month's meeting an older Verteran handed me a WWII bring back flintlock pistol which he stated his father retrieved from Adolph Hitlers house and he has pictures of his Dad, at Hitler's house, with this pistol. He's beeb playing with it since he was a small child. He asked me to service it. Not wanted to doubt his story or decline the request I have taken the piece home. I willpost pictures. It is a French Flintlock Cavalry Pistol Modele AN XIII dated 1813. While inspecting this I noticed and confirmed with a wood dowel that there is apparently a paper wrapped charge in it. No lead ball is visible. Almost looks like there is printing on the paper. I let the owner know and he asked that it be unloaded fror safety. Before I do that is there any reason not to? A similar pistol sold on Christie's auction web page for $1115 and was estimated at $487 - $811. Thoughts?

It has no bearing on value. But carefully pull the paper it may just be a waded up piece of paper.

Turned out that it had pieces of German news paper wadded up and jammed into the barrel. These have been saved to a plastic binder page holder for the owner. Snapped a picture for the collective. Thanks for the advice. Will pay it forward.

Glad it worked out. Can we see piccies, please?

Plan to post pics on Monday.

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4583.jpg

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4588.jpg

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_4591.jpg

The thought of "servicing" a pistol like this is a bit concerning. What did he want you to do with it?? Some relics are just best left alone. Perserve them, of course. And with no offense intended, you user name makes this more interesting!! ;)

The "$487 - $811" is much more realistic than anything else if the gentleman is selling it. The "Hitler's house" as a source means nothing and certainly does not add meaningful value to it.

Not necessarily sure he had anything particular in mind as far as "servicing". I know he displays the piece at The American Legion Convention and likely just wanted it to get a check up of sorts. I highly doubt the validy of ther Hitler's house aspect of the story but I see no value in disputing that with him. I saw no harm in applying gun oil and returning it with my compliments. I also have his K98k Mauser "byf 44" which his Dad Bubba'd; it's a total mix master, no 2 serial numbers match, stcok appears to have been cut down with a hatchet; he has asked me to restock it so it will take the bayonet he has. Oddly the bayonet has wood grips, the matching scabbard serial number and frog. I assume it is worth more than the Mauser.

I agree. Unload it, carefully. I once worked at a local auction house here in Frederick, MD. Many front loaders would come in and the first thing I did was check to see if loaded. Some were and one I remember was in full cock rusted to the point of being bound. An exception I've seen over the years are dug Civil War period revolvers or any dug period wheel gun with rounds in the chambers. Those will enhance value.