WHEN DO YOU CALL IT A DAY?

We ain't getting any younger, and its great to see the younger element on the site availing themselves of the knowledge of so many experienced people in the shooting world, who, by their very being, and the weapons they know so much about, gives some indication on their collective ages!!

I have recently put in place that knowledge to my family in case I fall off my perch. My son is still serving in the Army, so no worries there, but it is always the immediate family that have to tidy up so many loose ends we guys leave behind should something unforeseen happen.
I'm not like many on here, who hold oodles of weapons, and each, at a specific value in "our minds". So what happens when you are not around to consult?
Books like Ian Skennertons or Peter Laidlers fine works on classic firearms, what would someone who knew nothing of their original cost, let them go for?

I only raise this now, as I lost a close friend who was an avid shooter like all of us and collector of firearms. Much of his "estate" was dispersed to dealers who wanted the best deal for themselves, which is understandable, leaving the family well behind where they should be. Luckily it was the books that filled in the missing gap on finance. In some cases the books raising more then some weapons!!

So guys in short, take a moment to think about what you have, and how you would like it to be disceminated, don't let your families miss out............prices are rising all the time on classic firearms!!!;)

"...So what happens when..." Told my brother years ago to build me a pyramid, put me on my couch with my toys, roll me in and close the door. Lazy retired Canada Post plug and hockey puck that he is, has yet to even start the build. Silly SOB moved and didn't bother to tell me too.
Mind you, here, if you don't have a Will, the government decides what happens to your stuff. They'll destroy any firearms and all the bits and pieces that go with 'em. So I'm not going. snicker.

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

We ain't getting any younger, and its great to see the younger element on the site availing themselves of the knowledge of so many experienced people in the shooting world, who, by their very being, and the weapons they know so much about, gives some indication on their collective ages!!

I have recently put in place that knowledge to my family in case I fall off my perch. My son is still serving in the Army, so no worries there, but it is always the immediate family that have to tidy up so many loose ends we guys leave behind should something unforeseen happen.
I'm not like many on here, who hold oodles of weapons, and each, at a specific value in "our minds". So what happens when you are not around to consult?
Books like Ian Skennertons or Peter Laidlers fine works on classic firearms, what would someone who knew nothing of their original cost, let them go for?

I only raise this now, as I lost a close friend who was an avid shooter like all of us and collector of firearms. Much of his "estate" was dispersed to dealers who wanted the best deal for themselves, which is understandable, leaving the family well behind where they should be. Luckily it was the books that filled in the missing gap on finance. In some cases the books raising more then some weapons!!

So guys in short, take a moment to think about what you have, and how you would like it to be disceminated, don't let your families miss out............prices are rising all the time on classic firearms!!!;)

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The gun collectors prayer:
"Lord, Please don't let my wife sell my guns for what I told her I paid..."

In my documents for those left behind, I named 2 people I know to be honest to help value and evaluate the "stuff".

They won't know what most of the stuff actually is, but they will be knowledgeable enough to know what has value, and who to ask for information.

I'm helping a friend's family, and the "honest & very helpful dealers" evaluated the collection about 20% of the actual value, and pressured the widow to accept an immediate cheque... which would have made most people (including the widow) VERY happy.

I'm pretty sure that they are extremely happy that they asked for a second opinion...

I have a document (that is currently woefully out of date) with a few details on my firearms, photographs, and an approximate value.

As an example:

Krag-Jorgenson 1898
Estimated Replacement Value: $700

-Serial Number 118749
Serial indicates manufacture between July 1st, 1898, and June 30th, 1899.

· Issued in 1899 to Co. D, 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, according to the Springfield Research Service.


I really need to update this document. Thanks for the reminder!

I did this some time ago. My adult sons and daughter know every thing I have. The boys get to split everything that shoots 50-50. I even had them go through what I have and sort who gets what. Everything else is split three ways.

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Originally Posted by rcathey

I have a document (that is currently woefully out of date) with a few details on my firearms, photographs, and an approximate value.

As an example:

Krag-Jorgenson 1898
Estimated Replacement Value: $700

-Serial Number 118749
Serial indicates manufacture between July 1st, 1898, and June 30th, 1899.

· Issued in 1899 to Co. D, 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, according to the Springfield Research Service.


I really need to update this document. Thanks for the reminder!

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It's a helpful place to start, but my friend (who badgered me to create an inventory) put his "current inventory" somewhere that it hasn't been located yet.

Several weeks into the process we located some of his "old" inventory and notes - but no "current" documentation has been located yet.

Make sure that your family can find your notes and inventory, put a date on any documents that you create, put the cost you paid and the approximate date of purchase.

Notes regarding why you paid $7,000 for what appears to be a $250 rifle are important, along with a list of any accessories which belong together.

I had over 100 pieces in my collection , started to sell them off about 4 years ago . Got way more for them than I figured I would and a whole lot more than what I paid for them . Didn't have anybody to leave them to that would cherish them . Got a half a dozen up for sale now , another half a dozen will go up in a few more years , the few left are working guns that I'll prob'ly have till I'm gone .
Chris

Even if its a reminder for one member on here, its been worth the tale

I'm in that area what Gil is talking about I have a few books though I am not a book shop I seem to collect them some have value and I have never really sat down to fathom and troll the net to get an idea of values like Skennertons (Have them all including a presentation copy) or Peters book on the T, the Bean Series on the AIF in WWI, 1st Ed's of Jim Corbetts & other hunters, with a 1000+ others which is a conservative estimate.
My wife has nagged me for quite a while over her fears of me going and her being left with a large amount of inert ordnance, live collectible ammunition, rifles, my fathers WWII medals and hat badges from a distant relative in the 12ALH and 25th ALH and a fleet of M/cycles.

The hardest thing is who do you trust I have collecting friends but would they help my wife instead of themselves I cannot say and getting what you think a thing is worth to what it is actually worth can be streets apart.
I have a little brand new unread soft cover called The Last Wolf By Cox look that up on ABEbooks.com if they still have a copy for sale or try Amazon yeah its expensive, same a Peters book ABE have them for $400 who will pay that I had 3 copies so sold one for $96 of fleabay as to advertise it for $400 no one would touch it.
And me being 14 years my wife's senior there is the very real possibility of me going before her though the saving grace is my nephew who is an AFP Federal Detective who will be handling my affairs for my wife as to say he is thorough and drives a hard bargain is an understatement and if you try to shaft him then be it at your own peril.

But there is validity in Gils statement chaps how many times have we seen the stuff go for a mere pittance because unscrupulous dealers rip unsuspecting people off yes they need a mark up but to fleece people in a time of abject sorrow is wrong and like stealing. May be a good time to update my will and talk to my wife about it more to get a plan in place.

This may seem obvious but make sure you have the combination to your safe or safes written down.

I meant ot say that of course but assumed many would still rely on the reliable "one off keys" hidden in places your wifes would know, and the spares in case they forgot when the time came:lol::bow:

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

In some cases the books raising more then some weapons!!

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If anyone doubts how dear old books can be, have a Captain Cook at what something like an early edition of one of Fairbairn's books is fetching these days. Abe Books has Defendu list at $65 to $120. I think the original print cost something like 1/6 if that.

Me and the wife share the same safe for our pistols and revolvers so she has the combo. She knows where the keys are to the rifle racks. If we were to pack it in at the same time I think what happens doesn't matter to us.
I have a good friend that my children can trust.

In relation to this issue of what happens to my stuff once i pass onto the great rifle range in the sky, the main issue for me is the nature of the Firearms laws, where i reside - there is no "pass them to your kids/family member" function in our firearms laws here - they are treated exactly same as any other individual applying to have your beloved treasures transferred to their firearms lic. If my kids/family members aren't into shooting my collection will go elsewhere. It will be up to the executor of my will to take them hastily to the nearest licensed dealer and get what they can for em - i have left detailed notes on all and attempt to update as needed as time goes by - approx values based on my OK but still amateur knowledge. Otherwise the officers of the law will simply turn up unannounced and take the lot - I've seen it happen, poor widows, scared of the "LAW" and not knowledgeable about firearms licensing, handing over everything.
Also as Cinders touched on, unscrupulous dealers are a concern. I have seen the relatives of recently deceased shooters, take vast collections to Licensed Firearms Dealers and be paid a pittance or even nothing on one occasion (suffice to say i don't have anything more to do with that particular Dealer anymore) I hope my notes i leave can be of some assistance to my relatives/will executor (Yes Dear, there is a difference in value between a box of old Jap scopes, pulled of de-sporterizing Enfields projects, and my few as yet, unfitted No32 scopes) We all owe it to ourselves and our families and history, to try our darnedest to ensure our stuff goes to those that will value, appreciate and cherish them as much as we do.

The wife and I have created a living trust leaving everything to the kids. One thing that we did was include a detailed list of the firearms including their serial numbers. Since we live in California, they will need this information to transfer lawful ownership to them. Once they own them, then they can keep what they want and sell the rest. I also have a detailed listing for each firearm reference their history, special features (like my Singer receiver M1 carbine) and their approximate value so they don't get ripped off if they decide to sell them. There is only one gun they cannot sell, and that is my Sig Sauer P226 which I carried for 25 years during my law enforcement career.

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Originally Posted by WarPig1976

This may seem obvious but make sure you have the combination to your safe or safes written down.

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In your safety deposit box, along with your Will and duplicate keys with labels attached. And don't forget the banking passwords etc. etc.

One of those situations where a person's true character comes through: estate settlements.

And so many times items are not recognized as being related and so get separated with all the financial and historical loss that follows from that.

Start labelling stuff with tied on tags and ideally some readily recognizable method of cross-reference that does not require knowledge of the objects themselves.

Besides, might be handy if one starts going gah-gah!:D