BEFORE you die...

[Trekseattle]

Wow,
I'm incredibly grateful for everyone's input. Thank you all.

I've spent many hours sorting, cataloging, and using Google Lense trying to identify things.

Is there a "help identity this mystery part" thread?

 

[Andy54Hawken]

@Trekseattle
If there are any muzzle loading firearms in your dad's collection...
I would be willing to ID them , and give the best estimate of a dollar value , that I can.

In any event ...sorry for your loss.
Andy

 

[bradsteen]

Wow,
I'm incredibly grateful for everyone's input. Thank you all.

I've spent many hours sorting, cataloging, and using Google Lense trying to identify things.

Is there a "help identity this mystery part" thread?

Sure, you can create a new thread with the subject "help me identify ...." and post pics of the part in question. If you aren't sure where to put it, drop it in General Firearms Discussion and the mods will move it for you if needed. Betting you'll have your questions answered in no time!

I know the process of sorting through large volumes of stuff can be daunting. It may help sorting to break the contents up into categories - rifle, pistol, shotgun, accessories, holsters/gear, and everything else. I would try to keep mags with their respective firearms where possible.

 

[CountryGent]

Welcome to NWFA. I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your parents. And I can totally understand the headache of settling an estate, on top of the heartache of losing a loved one.

If I may be of any assistance with posting items here, at your service.

 

[64MercurysRule]

Sorry for your personal loss . There are members here that live up in that Seattle ish area . Us Orygunians are willing to help where we can . Stay in touch .

 

[echo1]

Sorry about your situation, almost. Some unknown factors here. Your pops had a vast collection of firearms, but you don't know squat about guns? want the top dollar from what he had? There's something missing in that equation. My boys know the difference between a GEW88, 1914 .45, Mossberg 500, 10/22 and an SVT, but they don't want to have anything to do with their names and the DOJ, so I've named a nephew as an armorer to handle the weapons, which I've mostly thinned out but now., the remainder will stay in an heirloom collection for as yet to be born munchkins. Unless my spousal unit want to move the iron, then I've left names and contacts for my nephew. In a hunnerd years there gonna be some cool stuff Unfortunately, they'll be a learning curve for you, you'll have to dive in there if you're after top dollar or sell cheap to move fast. About all the gun forums have this very same inquiry going on or recently addressed. Seems like many of us old guys are in similar situations. PAX

 

[Kruel J]

I had an appointment last month with my attorney to set up my trust and address my firearms.

Don't leave anything up to interpretation.

 

[Trekseattle]

Sorry about your situation, almost. Some unknown factors here. Your pops had a vast collection of firearms, but you don't know squat about guns? want the top dollar from what he had? There's something missing in that equation. My boys know the difference between a GEW88, 1914 .45, Mossberg 500, 10/22 and an SVT, but they don't want to have anything to do with their names and the DOJ, so I've named a nephew as an armorer to handle the weapons, which I've mostly thinned out but now., the remainder will stay in an heirloom collection for as yet to be born munchkins. Unless my spousal unit want to move the iron, then I've left names and contacts for my nephew. In a hunnerd years there gonna be some cool stuff Unfortunately, they'll be a learning curve for you, you'll have to dive in there if you're after top dollar or sell cheap to move fast. About all the gun forums have this very same inquiry going on or recently addressed. Seems like many of us old guys are in similar situations. PAX

Foremost I'm dealing with vast quantities of stuff. 1/1000th is gun/ammo. Much of the random stuff is highly valuable some not like 50 boxes of cherished teddies, Hummel, hallmark, so I need to sift through it. An example, out of many hundred 2.00-20.00 dollar vinal albums in the basement I just came across a vinal record album I sold to a dealer for 2600. I have to go through Everything with a fine tooth comb. I personally don't care much about getting top dollar. I just don't want to get taken to the cleaners. I took some pictures and went to a gun shop after looking up values. They offered very low prices. So I'm learning.

My mother is still very much alive and this money is hers.
My father was a strange one. Very reclusive, especially the last 10 years. Both my parents were/are hoarders.
My mother is still going strong but now needs a rambler house and smaller property. I was never brought up with guns, never hunted etc. I own a couple pistols, but so fully reject consumerism and owning large quantities of things that buying a bag of rice gives me PTSD. (Joking ... Kindof)
I know that might sound crazy. But unless you've experienced hoarding especially as a child I can't begin to explain the shame, not wanting friends over, family doesn't want to come over, being the black sheep, yet hurt feelings and the crying my mom did wondering why nobody stops by, wants to do Christmas at her house, grand children don't want to go over. Etc etc the years of lies, arguing, promises, from people that if you met them on the street would come across as 100% normal incredibly smart articulate people as long as you don't know about their hoarding secret.
6 connex boxes, 5 car garage floor to ceiling industrial racking, 2600 sqft house with industrial racking floor to ceiling in most of it.

Please please forgive me for having hard feelings for objects I know a lot of people here hold dear. Guns/ammo is 1/1000th of what's here..


I'm probably saying too much, and am venting a little there. I'm truly sorry.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Hummel

My MIL bought those not-so-cheap but still stacked them deep! In looking into them the majority have less value than when they were new, but there are the odd pieces (mostly the ones there were not QVC special additions) that can have significant value

 

[CountryGent]

Ditto at @Kruel J . We did the same when setting up our NFA trust. Back then it was more helpful for such items than it is now, but one upshot is it spells out in detail inheritance of all firearms, both Title I and II. Hopefully such steps will make things easier for heirs, after we shuffle off this mortal coil.

 

[echo1]

Trek, you said a lot, explained much. My mom wasn't a hoarder per se, but she was half Portagee so she couldn't throw anything away, especially fabric. My folks had a drapery and upholstery shop but both worked as well. My Pops worked at a Naval base and bought the sewing machines from a parachute loft. When he retired, he went to work with me and my future father-in-law. But you're correct you have to go hands on with many items and I'm sure it'll be an overwhelming task to get decent ducats for your mom. Good luck, I hope you're still a youngster. PAX

 

[Sxsnuf]

The OP has received a ton of good info from the learned members here.
I can only add that IF you do go the consignment route, you not only need a trusted shop/FFL, but also one with alot of traffic. Your items have to get as much visibility as possible. The most trusted FFL is worthless, if they get 2 or 3 walk-ins a day. As ilikegunspdx suggested, locust fork on GunBroker gets about the greatest visibility you could hope for.

 

[gmerkt]

I have to go through Everything with a fine tooth comb.

What you will get depends on how much effort and time you are able and / or willing to put into it. The more work you do yourself on this stuff, the more money you will recover and the less apt you will be to get skinned by greed-guts or middlemen. Moderate fees are to be expected in marketing things. You may even be able to find someone on this forum who can be engaged for a modest fee to help you.

 

[groaklips]

Estate liquidation woes.
This post is twofold
1: Guns and ammo liquidated or gifted before you die. You know what you have, you know values, you have spent a lifetime building relationships with dealers other gun enthusiasts etc. and can get the best value to leave to your loved ones.

2: I feel I can't trust anyone, laws, sharky dealers, it's like everyone smells blood in the water. I'm shocked, a little worried (liability, safety, etc) and don't want to be taken advantage of.

2b: investment. He always said it's his hobby but also an investment. I'm starting to disagree. Unless you are a dealer, buying and selling for profits, or you collected when you could buy for 10 cents and now those guns are worth thousands, it looks like you get pennies on the dollar when you sell. Especially if you leave it for your elderly Wife, or other family to deal with. Honestly I'm a little upset at the burden he put on my mom, because she is saddled with major legal ramifications now.

Who do people turn to, whom they can trust ?

I did a few searches and couldn't find any threads on this topic.

My father passed a few years ago. He was a hoarder and reclusive, my mother is a hoarder.

I'm tasked with a massive job of trying to not be taken advantage of while not knowing a single thing about guns.
Who do you trust? A 30 cents on the dollar pawn/gun shop?


Frustrated a tad bit mad at the situation.

I have done well selling guns to Cabela's gun library. They are very fair and professional and most often pay 65% of current value. On one rifle I received within $15.00 dollars of what I originally paid. Be prepared to spend some time there as it takes s while to complete the transaction

Estate liquidation woes.
This post is twofold
1: Guns and ammo liquidated or gifted before you die. You know what you have, you know values, you have spent a lifetime building relationships with dealers other gun enthusiasts etc. and can get the best value to leave to your loved ones.

2: I feel I can't trust anyone, laws, sharky dealers, it's like everyone smells blood in the water. I'm shocked, a little worried (liability, safety, etc) and don't want to be taken advantage of.

2b: investment. He always said it's his hobby but also an investment. I'm starting to disagree. Unless you are a dealer, buying and selling for profits, or you collected when you could buy for 10 cents and now those guns are worth thousands, it looks like you get pennies on the dollar when you sell. Especially if you leave it for your elderly Wife, or other family to deal with. Honestly I'm a little upset at the burden he put on my mom, because she is saddled with major legal ramifications now.

Who do people turn to, whom they can trust ?

I did a few searches and couldn't find any threads on this topic.

My father passed a few years ago. He was a hoarder and reclusive, my mother is a hoarder.

I'm tasked with a massive job of trying to not be taken advantage of while not knowing a single thing about guns.
Who do you trust? A 30 cents on the dollar pawn/gun shop?


Frustrated a tad bit mad at the situation.

I have done well selling guns to Cabela's. They are very fair and professional and usually pay up to 65% of current value.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

65% sucks imo.

 

[nehalemguy]

65% sucks imo.

65% cash is better than what most gun shops will quote you and definitely better than what a pawn shop would do.. Consignment is usually a better option but sometimes heirs just want to be done with it and move on. I can't blame them.

-E-

 

[64MercurysRule]

Most gun stores give 80-85% for consignment .

70% if you do a gun trade in .

65% if store buys gun .

50% pawn shop buys gun .

 

[quneur]

I'm very sorry about your father but have you tried Jeff at Soundloan in Everett? All he does is firearms now but he does consignment or buys outright. I haven't heard a negative comment from people (mostly local) who dealt with him.

On your father's vinyl records: it would be interesting to know what era were they? And what turntables did he play them on? Some of the 50's - 60's turntables are still sought after and some consoles. Turntables made in the 70's to early 80's would be the pinnacle for audio IMO with the cartridge and stylus fetching good money.

 

[echo1]

I'm very sorry about your father but have you tried Jeff at Soundloan in Everett? All he does is firearms now but he does consignment or buys outright. I haven't heard a negative comment from people (mostly local) who dealt with him.

On your father's vinyl records: it would be interesting to know what era were they? And what turntables did he play them on? Some of the 50's - 60's turntables are still sought after and some consoles. Turntables made in the 70's to early 80's would be the pinnacle for audio IMO with the cartridge and stylus fetching good money.

When we were teens in the '60s and solid-state stereo was introduced, the hipster beatnik types were turning in their mono hi-fi units for stereo. We'd pick up a couple hi-fi tube amps for dirt, put a Garard 40B cartridge in some funky turn table arm, jump out the wires to the 2 amps and make some killer loud and clean sounding systems. PAX

 

[joken]

I will give mine to my son, son-in-law, Grandkids, and a couple of friends. My wife can squeeze a nickel until it screams, and I expect to encounter some resistance. I'll probably sell a few as well. I gave my former hunting partner a Remington 700 KS .270 a couple of months ago. He moved to Northern Idaho.