Cornucopia of old guns

[sandiego67]

Most of the guys I shoot sporting clays with are in their 60's and 70's. They tend to have nice, expensive shotguns (Perazzi, Kerighoff, higher end Berettas and Brownings). They also tend to have several guns.

Some guys are getting old and downsizing. Their method of selling has been word-of-mouth. They tend to trade amongst themselves. They aren't very tech savvy (besides email).

When it comes to a point that they can no longer shoot, I am hoping that these guns get back into general circulation and not stored in a closet somewhere left to deteriorate into a restoration project.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard from friends and associates that they have some old gun in the garage that they got from their grandpa 20+ years ago. They have it hidden and it hasn't been fired since they got it.

One Calgunner was selling some old guns for an elderly friend recently on this board. He told me that the guns have been sitting in a soft case in the attic for years and they have significant surface rust. I hate to see that.

Spread the word and get these classic guns back into circulation.

[ysr_racer]

I've got six grandkids, with another one on the way. My shotguns will always be in circulation

[sandiego67]

I've got six grandkids, with another one on the way. My shotguns will always be in circulation

Obviously that is the best scenario.

[ScottB]

I have a few nice shotguns of the type you mention just sitting in the safe. The reason people don't sell them is they are paid for, cost nothing to keep, are cool to have, fun when you use them and unless you need the money or the space, there is no real reason to sell. In other words, inertia. Guys sell among themselves because they know each other, the guns often don't have paper trails and the transactions are cash and carry on the spot. Selling on the open market, by contrast, is a hassle. Its easier to keep them. Tech savvy has little or nothing to do with it. Its just a series of relatively close knit social circles. If you want in, start shooting and hanging with your local club, keep a wad of cash handy and wait for an opportunity. It may take a few years though.

[Jet Setter]

^^ I agree with you ScottB. These shooters pass along their past treasures to those they know and like. I shoot at a local club and hear about trades and deals between the old timers. It is quite interesting to hear what was traded for what and to see how excited they get. Great group of people to be around.

[aippi]

There is another side to this. Some of us don't make it clear in our Will to whom the guns will go to and even worse we don't have a list of the guns and their value.

For the above reason Dealers love Estate Sales. Many times after a guy passes away the wife or remaining family members find guns. If they are not gun folks they have no idea what the value of these guns may be. So, someone in the family tells the wife he will take all the guns to local gun shop or call some number he saw in the paper stating "We Buy Guns". In a bulk sale like this the guns are bought for pennies on the dollar.

So all of us old farts and even young ones (you can die today) need to have a list of our guns by Model, serial number and present value. Keep this list with your will or in the gun safe. Also this list is important for insurance value incase of a theft or fire. Update it once a year also.

If you don't have such a list get it done today. Don't let some Dealer rip off your family in the event they don't want to keep all your guns or can't keep them. I have such a list and I appointted a Son-in-law to take the guns over. He will see the right gun goes to the right person and to the sale of the ones that are left out in the shop.

[pennstater]

"They tend to trade among themselves." Private Party Transfer at it's finest!

[sdkevin]

CA now allows an Addendum to your Will that can include pics. Every firearm has a clear pic of the serial and who it goes to.

[Tom-ADC]

I probably fit into the old guy group, I have taken the time to say what goes where in my will, have to say oldest grandson is a solid person and will make out.

[ScottB]

I named an old and trusted friend that knows values and how to sell guns. My advice to my heirs is to give him any and all guns they do not want (probably all of them) and let him dispose of them as he sees fit at the best price he can get. I have also designated that he should receive a nice (and quite valuable) shotgun he has always wanted for his troubles.