Colt Python 4" blue help me!

[TF_CAM]

Ok so one of my friends dad is selling a Colt Python 4" Blue, It looks brand new, no box of course, the only damage are hairline scratches on the cylinder from rubbing. I also checked the numbers and this python is from 1978... and he only wants $500! but here's the catch, its not registered in his dads name. Apparently his friend passed away leaving his son with the inheritance, so the son sold my friends dad all the guns, which they didn't transfer through an FFL and the gun belongs to a dead guy.. And the son moved away so now theres probably a 0% chance of getting back in touch.
What should I do!? I really want it so I can have a matching set of 4" blue pythons..

is there any way i can get it transferred in my name legally?

[kemasa]

If the sale happened before the law required the firearms to go through a dealer, then there really is not any issue at all as it would be perfectly legal. If it happened afterwards, it seems that the CA DOJ cares more about getting it registered now than any past transfers, which means that just doing a PPT will get it transferred to you. I don't recall the year that the law changed, but I think the FAQ might list it. It really does not matter as far as I know at this point in time as I have never heard of it being an issue. The only real issue would be if the firearms were not sold such that the owner would have a claim on the firearms.

I found it in the wiki, 1991:

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index.php/Time_Line_of_California_Firearms_Laws#Required_Sales_Through_Dealers.2C_1991

[TF_CAM]

If the sale happened before the law required the firearms to go through a dealer, then there really is not any issue at all as it would be perfectly legal. If it happened afterwards, it seems that the CA DOJ cares more about getting it registered now than any past transfers, which means that just doing a PPT will get it transferred to you. I don't recall the year that the law changed, but I think the FAQ might list it. It really does not matter as far as I know at this point in time as I have never heard of it being an issue. The only real issue would be if the firearms were not sold such that the owner would have a claim on the firearms.

I found it in the wiki, 1991:

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/in...ealers.2C_1991

ok that makes sense, but what if the original owner (deceased now) was really the 2nd owner and purchased this gun after the registration act and had it registered through an FFL? does that change anything? or should i just take it to get a PPT?

also i just purchased the gun right now.

[kemasa]

As I said, it seems that the CA DOJ cares more about getting it registered now than any past transfers, which means that just doing a PPT will get it transferred to you. The only issue could be if the firearm was registered to someone and reported stolen, but then the seller would have the issue and you would be out the money unless you could get it back from the seller.