re: Passing down a gun collection- Now or Then?

Dad never hunted or shot guns at the range. Paw paw bought me my first gun a .410 pump I shot on the farms. You could steal every one of my other firearms and if that shotgun was left behind I would be ecstatic. Op it would be nice to give them early and like another poster said go with them on a hunt.

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It's kind of weird to think I have no one to give all of my guns to.

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Personally, for me a gun/item with history is the one that interest me the most. The fact that it meant something to someone else to me is gold.

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This is what I like too. Most of the collection are first year models and some are very old.. I have a 1905 3rd year of production Auto 5, a couple from 1944-45 when they were limited to servicemen, along with the Model 11's and 720's, first year standard and light 16's and sweet 16's. First year superposed, etc.. I don't have personal stories with many but they all have historical value if you're obsessed with JMB like me..

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Just leave them in your will “to the strongest”

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We can have a festivus "feats of strength" contest..

I've been in the same boat for awhile, so I can relate. Plus, my Dad started giving me certain guns when he hit 70 ... I'm doing the same.

Trusting my Son in Laws in their 40s and 50s, to make sure the grandkids get some of them when the time is right.

I've given my Son a couple. He'll get the rest of mine when I die.

Reads as if you've got a very nice collection. It might be worth getting it appraised. I had mine appraised .... I thought maybe $40k. It, my collection, ended appraising for $166,400.00. Caught me off guard in January when we were switching our homeowners' policy. Most of it is in a dozen firearms like some old Colts (historic revolvers, six shooters and a couple of 1911s) and a few Winchester and Marlin leverguns with provenance. But there are a lot of $1000-$1500 Colt and S&W revolvers and JM stamped Marlins in there as well.

Those old Brownings of yours are worth big money to the right collector. Your Son will surely cherish them as yours ... just trickle them down to him.

I know this guy, can't stand him, he's young enough to be my Son. I knew his Dad really well, he owned a pawn shop/gun store for 65 years. When the old man died, unbeknownst to all of us, he had this massive collection of Sweet 16s and Nylon 66s and Rolexes ... the Son is auctioning it all off. He's using the same appraiser I used and, rumor has it that it will go well above a million.

His Dad didn't give either of his Sons any of his guns for a reason. He told me, before he died, that he knew the money grubbing little bastards would sell all his stuff and he figured, that was okay, collectors would end up with it.

That's a sad way for a family, the men, to do things in the end imho.

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Reads as if you've got a very nice collection. It might be worth getting it appraised. I had mine appraised .... I thought maybe $40k. It, my collection, ended appraising for $166,400.00.

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I've had mine appraised and insured.. It's very similar to yours. About 20k less.. Appraisals are weird. For example, an X-bolt medallion with a Zeiss Diavari appraised way above a Browning Leige (only 10,000 made) which I personally value way above that rifle..

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I know this guy, can't stand him, he's young enough to be my Son. I knew his Dad really well, he owned a pawn shop/gun store for 65 years. When the old man died, unbeknownst to all of us, he had this massive collection of Sweet 16s and Nylon 66s and Rolexes ... the Son is auctioning it all off. He's using the same appraiser I used and, rumor has it that it will go well above a million.

His Dad didn't give either of his Sons any of his guns for a reason. He told me, before he died, that he knew the money grubbing little bastards would sell all his stuff and he figured, that was okay, collectors would end up with it.

That's a sad way for a family, the men, to do things in the end imho.

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Hate to hear stuff like this..

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Would we be as attached if it was a stamp collection?

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Of course not. Bc stamps are dumb and guns are awesome.

Dad would bring my two boys either a new gun or one in his collection every trip to Lake Charles. Me and my oldest brother split those left the day we buried dad.
All of mine save for three pistols have already been picked. Kemo Jr killed his first deer with dads 270 BAR.

It would be helpful to the heirs to write up the history of the guns, print it and pass along with the items.

I have a document with serial number, price paid, date bought, etc. for each gun or bayonet. I add any history I’ve researched, such as with WWII rifles and a Colt Single Action Army that was owned by my great grandfather. I got the factory letter on the Colt and wrote up the family history, repair history, etc.