WHEN DO YOU CALL IT A DAY?

[Gil Boyd]

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

[Paul S.]

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

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.

[mr.e moose]

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.

[brnom2]

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.

[Singer B]

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.

[Surpmil]

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

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!