BEFORE you die...

[Catfishmoon]

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.

Lot's of us have went through what you are going through now, dealing with a parents estate after they passed away. I think your situation is probably preferable to the occasions I have witnessed where multiple family members are arguing and fighting over who gets what because a will was not left by the deceased.
I think your best path forward is consignment/sell to reputable dealers who specialize in that particular type of item: firearms, vinyl records, stereo equipment, collectible figurines, ect. They could at least be used to provide accurate value of what you have and then you could sell it privately at your own pace if you wanted. A couple of reputable firearm dealers have been mentioned earlier in this thread, I would add Sound Loan in Everett as a reputable place to sell/consign - give a value on your firearms.
There are many places in Puget Sound to sell vinyl records, reviews on the internet should provide feedback on those.

 

[Olderguy]

I would a gun or general auction house. In my area O'Gallery Auctions, Portland, OR has auctioned quite a few guns when i 've attended and they always seemed to bring a reasonable price. This is where I have instructed my kids to go if there are guns, I have when I pass, that they do not want.

 

[TNThomas]

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.

If you need some help with ID/value on the firearm related stuff, I would be open to stopping by. I'm pretty good with general tool ID as well and in the neighborhood. And FYI, the USPS in the Mill creek shopping center has been my go-to to spot to mail firearms when selling (all legal of course). I've shipped from there to buyers on here.

For the majority of the misc stuff, unfortunately it's probably not going to be worth your time. Yes, you may toss something worth money, but time and sanity are more important than getting every $ possible. My wife's grandfather passed away a few years ago, and their family honestly were not capable of getting rid of everything, too many attachments/emotions tied to it. Eventually it came down to me and another brother in law with a full size Uhaul to do the job. We kept a few things, but honestly there was very little worth holding on to. Over 3,000lbs on that dump run.

One idea is to "bundle" items on an ebay sale. I was shocked how well some old electronics sold on there last year. I had a bunch of stuff that wasn't really worth my time listening individually, but I put multiple of those with some other items I knew we're worth my time. End result is that they sold easily and for higher than expected.

If you needed a hand getting rid of stuff, I would possibly be up for helping with some sort of compensation or bartering of goods. PM if so.

 

[vj3503]

I would probably setup a trust and connect with a local gun club so they can use the assets as part of a youth program. That way your family's legacy lives forever. You can't put a price on that.

 

[gtivan]

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.

I feel for ya.
My parents were about the same. My dad was a publishers clearing house /readers digest winner. Each and every month for years. All he had to do was buy more garbage to win. My mom is only slightly different in that she never throws anything away. She had a garage sale for the first time ever a couple of years ago and was bringing down presents they received for their wedding in the 50's that was NEVER used.

Personally, i would forget about the money aspect unless she absolutely needs it. Usually it means they just buy more unless you fix the underlying issue around their hoarding. Find someone somewhat trustworthy and dump it as a lot.

My stress and time are worth way more than spending a year or 2 going through everything. My mom is still trying to find the "perfect home" for a 1970's am/fm/shortwave radio with broken antenna cause someone would need it. She was highly irritated when i said throw it away. No amount of money is worth dealing with that logic and stubborness.


She knows i will help any day of the week. It will not be solely on her terms.

Heck, 1 time she had a ford taurus for sale. POS and end of life. I found someone willing to buy for below blue book. She refused the sale as was her right. 10 years of it sitting in the back 40 and she decided to call a auto yard to pick it up for free. She may have even paid $50 for them to take it.

I cant deal with that logic and leave her to it.

Guess i had to vent as well

 

[Trekseattle]

Today's quest...
Matching up 9 crates of holsters to their corresponding friend

 

[Bobbygun]

Today's quest...
Matching up 9 crates of holsters to their corresponding friend

View attachment 2120537 View attachment 2120538

Oh man. My condolences. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I've got a drawer full of holsters and wish I had tagged/marked them. I'm sure I've got holsters for guns I no longer even own. Some will fit multiple guns. I probably only use five of them with any regularity. There are a few threads here on the forum about drawers/boxes full of holsters.

 

[Trekseattle]

And of course ya have to have some Stabby things

 

[Trekseattle]

Are these boxes of boxes garbage ?

 

[Bobbygun]

Are these boxes of boxes garbage ?

View attachment 2121173

The Caseguard boxes are worth something, but not much. They aren't very expensive brand new. If you have a bunch of that stuff you might want to sell it in one lot. If not, it might not be worth hassling with.

 

[Trekseattle]

The Caseguard boxes are worth something, but not much. They aren't very expensive brand new. If you have a bunch of that stuff you might want to sell it in one lot. If not, it might not be worth hassling with.

What's a large tote of them worth ?

 

[Trekseattle]

I also found a large box of old ammo boxes

 

[arakboss]

If you don't want to leave firearm related junk behind for your relatives, spend all your money on drinks and video poker. Leave receipts behind for every dollar you spent so they know how much money worth of guns and ammo you saved them from having to deal with. They will be relieved.

 

[Bobbygun]

What's a large tote of them worth ?

Looking at the picture in post #49, there are items in there that are pretty much worthless. The plastic hinged lid boxes should be worth something to somebody. If I was having a yard sale, I would put $20 on the tote and take less if interest was low.

As for your large box of old ammo boxes, if they are old enough and in decent shape, they may be worth something to a collector. If you posted some pictures, someone more knowledgeable than me on the subject might be able to help.

 

[Sxsnuf]

I would a gun or general auction house. In my area O'Gallery Auctions, Portland, OR has auctioned quite a few guns when i 've attended and they always seemed to bring a reasonable price. This is where I have instructed my kids to go if there are guns, I have when I pass, that they do not want.

This is some sound advice!
I'm sorry for the situation you've been left with, and I offer my deepest condolences.
Bottom line is, everything you have is worth SOMETHING to SOMEBODY! Maybe even worth alot, to the right person. I've seen old ammo boxes sell for ridiculous $ on Ebay. And the bayonets? Those could be worth hundreds of $, OR, they might be chinese crap! I would try to find one party that would liqidate the whole 9 yds and get on with the grieving process, while giving thanks that you still have your Mom. Many of us aren't that fortunate.
Best of luck to you!

 

[Trekseattle]

Looking at the picture in post #49, there are items in there that are pretty much worthless. The plastic hinged lid boxes should be worth something to somebody. If I was having a yard sale, I would put $20 on the tote and take less if interest was low.

As for your large box of old ammo boxes, if they are old enough and in decent shape, they may be worth something to a collector. If you posted some pictures, someone more knowledgeable than me on the subject might be able to help.

Thank you so very much. I just posted them for 5 bucks for the entire box

 

[Trekseattle]

Today's adventure ...

Garage sale.

And sort through one of the truckloads of Ammo.

 

[Trekseattle]

Lynnwood Gun and ammo is close by, so I guess taking it all there.

 

[TNThomas]

Lynnwood Gun and ammo is close by, so I guess taking it all there.

They are good folks, and one of the last ones around. I use them FFL transfers.

-That Mosin Nagant looks to be a Finnish "M91" not a Soviet M91/30 with many would categorize it as (which is worth less). Im pretty sure, the stock looks Finnish, not Soviet.

-You might get a little extra money on that K31 if you unscrew the steel buttstock plate (two screws). There is usually a "Troop tag" underneath of the soldier who it was issued too. I can't see the serial #, but if there is a letter "P" in there, those are slightly more valuable. That was stamped on of the soldier chose to keep their weapon after serving.

 

[MacReady]

Hey Trek, I'm probably a little late on replying to this thread but it looks like we are practically neighbors. So if you still need help sorting through the stuff you're unsure about let me know and I can stop by, I'm more than willing to lend a hand to a forum member. I consider myself knowledgeable about older Military surplus and have a handle on value I think, and if not then I know where to look/where to point you for the right answers. Feel free to PM me if you want.
Sound Loan in Everett would be my 1st suggestion since theyre local. Precise Shooter in Woodinville too. After that any of the other consignment rec's listed so far here are good options. Even with the most trustworthy you will still get less than selling yourself. Maybe start by posting some of the ammo/reloading stuff in similar lots on here and see where you get?

And sorry about your loss by the way. Ive dealt with similar myself and it makes the grieving process so much harder than it needs to be! When my Grandfather died suddenly he had no will or plans for his vast lifelong vintage Winchester/Colt collection. So my Grandmother thought she was doing the family a solid by selling the whole collection as a lot for pennies on the dollar to a shady consignment company without conferring with any of the family first. We all got checks in the mail 1 day and immediately called Grandma "uhh where did you get all this money from and why?" The sad thing is both Mom and Dad are into guns and I am REALLY into old guns. They shouldve been passed down. Still makes me mad 20+ years later. Especially because he had pieces that would be worth 5-10K today ...Then when Grandma died she didnt have friggen estate plans or a trust either! Seeing my Mom have to deal with so much BS for years after as the executer makes me realize how important it is to have your affairs in order and not dump it on someone else. After the 2nd time driving to South Dakota with a uhaul collecting sentimental things we had enough and so much ended up in dumpsters. It's a balancing act of getting what things are worth but not losing your sanity divvying every little thing up and spending years doing the resale thing.