If you have guns, or for that matter anything that you love and that matters to you, if it matters where it goes when you pass, you better have something legal to back it up..because its been my experience {and Im 74 and have seen a lot of it} when you die the vultures will descend to pick your bones. Unfortunately, a lot of those vultures will be in the guise of family. If you are mentally capable when you get to the age you can no longer use your guns, give them away before you die..its the only sure way to ensure they go where you want them to...This was a much-needed video and a well-done one...God Bless
Great advice @leeadams5941. Unfortunately the vultures descended on my Grandfather's small but meaningful collection of firearms, unavailable to the members of my family who would wish to cherish them. They were taken to get appraised straight away, then locked in a safe. It's painful to think about.
Fellow you said a mouthful there. I've lost count of the times I've seen siblings and other family members fly apart over inheritance or lack thereof. Thanks
I am glad you made this video. My dad passed away about three years ago. I have his Colt trooper he bought in the 1960s. He carried this pistol for 28 years on the city police force. His stories would die with me if I don't start to wright them down for my son.
This video is excellent and maybe the most important one you have ever done Tom. I recently have acquired several of my Dad's firearms and he is gratefully still alive. They mean so much to me and when they were given to me I also got the story behind them. I will write those down so one day I can pass them on to my children and they will know the story behind Grandpa's firearms. It is so important to pass this heritage and culture down the the generations coming behind us. I am also keeping record of the firearms I have acquired over the years so one day my kids and grandkids will have them as well. Thanks for this video Tom. An extremely valuable video!
One of my most prized possessions is my grandfathers 1911 he carried across France and Germany in WW2. Also have a savage pump 22 that belonged to my great grandfather Priceless, I have a horror of when my time is up what will happen to my heirlooms. I hope my son ( he's 6 now) will carry it on.
Mr. Tom I recently found your channel. I immediately enjoyed your content but even more so your personality. You sir remind me of many a great older men from my childhood, and men whom made a great impression on me at such a young age. I believe that this world could use a slowdown. So much of today is all about the fast passed, what's new, what's next, what else can you buy to be ever increasingly more unhappy with your life. I have enjoyed so many of your videos in such a short time. But most of all the pace and demeanor in which you tell your story. Thank you for what you do and keep up the good work.
Hello Tom, I agree with you. Its very easy to assume life will go on another day. I think it is wise advice to make arrangement with ones firearms just as anyone would also set up a will. Take care my Southern Brother from another Mother. Stay well & God bless you all! ✌️😎👍
Good advice, thanks. I have some of my dad’s guns and some of my grandpa’s guns. I also have my guns. It’s only right to leave the story with them. I need to do it and get them organized. Thanks again.
Tom, it's so true how we don't think about such things and it's too late once our end is upon us. It's important that we take a few moments and think of how we would like to pass on such things. How special it is to receive an item that was passed on, but even more of a treasure when there's a history or story that goes with it. And you, sharing these words of wisdom makes it easier for your listeners to accept and realize to get this done now that we're sound and still here.
If you make a detailed list and description of current value, of your collection is something to make and keep. When you are gone and who knows when, is hopefully a surprise, at the least the ones you leave behind will know what to expect. As a value of your personal things not just guns but also everything of personal value is something to include. People that do that are few to none. If you do not you, invite looting from all that can. This causes family conflicts never settled and often pull attorneys into the issue and they are the biggest winners of all. Or sell it yourself and spend or save the money. 🤔😂🙂
That does help especially if the beneficiary wants to sell and has no idea of the value. I was fortunate in that matter as when my father unexpectedly passed early, my step mother said I could have them all so I fetched them before the other relatives started thinking but ended up with no conflicts as all the relatives said I should have them. But that don`t happen often as I`ve heard many horror stories witch is the best reason one should plan ahead besides the next reason here. A few days after my father passed I was talking to my next store neighbor [ same age as my self ] and he was stating that his wife got on him for not having life insurance and he said it`s not like i`m going to die tomorrow. Well both of them were killed by a car the next day while out for a walk so you never know.
I kind of know what you mean my dad some 22 years ago wanted me to be on the ranch to help out my brother is younger by 10 years. Dad guarantee me that I would get the place where I lived I built a shop had my house put in all the utilities and gravel. Then some years later without including me he goes down to a lawyer and gives my brother everything including what I built and paid for on the property my brother evicted me out of my own house after dad past away . I went to court and this judge gave him my stuff even though I could show I had paid for my things because my dad didn’t do what he said he would so you can’t trust family
You learned a valuable lesson there. I'm in a similar situation with my grandmother's 5 acre property I'm living on. I refuse to build the shop on it until she signs over the property to me. And all improvements I make to the land are billed to her. Never trust anyone, especially family.
I feel like you were looking over my shoulder the other day. I was writing down some information about a rifle I own. I have considered what to do with my gear. I have a bunch of gear I have acquired over the years. Guns, fly rods, inshore outfits, surf gear, and offshore rods/reels. A bunch of camping gear too. Not sure what I am going to do with all this stuff. My problem is nobody in my immediate family is really interested in these activities. It is an interesting question. MH
My kids and grandkids are part of the modern suburban secular lifestyle even though they are church goers and a few go to Catholic school. I will probably give a few guns to friends and relatives that have a passion for firearms and hunting. Self defense type firearms will go to my kids. Hunting and target firearms will go to others. I will make an effort to give away my firearms and reloading stuff away before I croak. I would give me great pleasure to give my stuff away to those that have a passion for firearms and would be grateful. They would not need to owe me nothing but joy on their face.
I realized I've never seen anyone talk on this subject and all true lovers of firearms know this is great advice for many reasons. Thanks for sharing such a good plan. Enjoy them all you can sadly I don't believe we can take em with us. Lol. Great channel thanks again.
🇺🇸🇵🇷🇵🇪😎 Thanks for sharing this video, I'm 75 and feeling fine today. But you don't know what tomorrow will bring..Tomorrow I will be tagging all my firearms and starting a journal with all the information you mentioned. Some day my family will thank you also 😊..
You are a wise man, Mr. Tom. While we are from 2 different worlds, I feel like we could be brothers... and I suppose in one way, we are. I very much appreciate your videos. And I sincerely thank you for taking the time to pass on your thoughts, experiences and wisdom.
Thanks for the video. I am at the age where I don't buy green bananas. My wife has been asking me for the last year to list all my guns and they're value along with which grandchild inherits it. The one with the most history belonged to my grandfather. A well worn L.C. Smith purchased in 1921. My grandchildren are all by my daughters so they don't have my name. In this case I am going on one more turkey hunt with it and leaving it to my cousin's 10 year old grandson because of his last name and because it was his two times great grandfathers. When the banks closed after the crash of 1929 grandfather had 37 dollars in the bank. When he went to collect it he was told the bank was closed. He pointed at his wagon and said "That shotgun says this bank is open". He got his 37 dollars.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video James. And I think that's pretty good that you're passing that LC Smith on to your cousins son. It will stay with the family name.
THANK YOU SIR. AT THE THE AGE OF 78 I AM GOING THRU THE SAME DECISION WITH MY COLLECTION. EVRY ITEM HAS BEEN CATALOGED with serial # cost and brief history thank you sir.
Wife said she is selling all my guns even though I told her I want my son to have all of them. Many have good stories and family history. I either have to out live her or its going to be a legal fight.
I know an individual that has a large rifle collection and he lives in an apartment for a good number of years and the apartment changed ownership the New owner renewed his lease and it went and when it ran out he got a notice from the landlord a 60 day notice that the landlord was not going to renew his lease and has to move out the man is in a panic now because he's forced to sell his rifles and has quite a bit of ammunition he hasn't a place to live yet he lives on a fixed income and that's where he's having problems finding a place can afford bottom line he never saw this coming
My childless pediatric dentist became a shooting range and quail hunting buddy of mine when I was a teen. When he passed away, his widow called me on the evening of my 18th birthday and asked me if I wanted to buy one of Doc's firearms. He only had three: A Griffin and Howe Springfield rifle, a Parker 28 gauge shotgun, and a .22 LR Smith and Wesson revolver. Now, I was still in high school, and that morning, I'd blown my financial wad on a 20 gauge Ugartechea Model 30 shotgun. Even if I hadn't, I couldn't have paid her what any one of those firearms was worth, even back then in 1983. She said that Doc really wanted me to have his rifle, but they discussed the matter and mutually determined that I'd treat it with more care if I "paid a little something" for it. When I told Mrs Doc that I had no money because I'd just bought a shotgun earlier that day, she asked me what new rifle I'd buy and how much it would cost. I told her that I wanted a Ruger No.1, but would probably actually buy a Model 77 bolt action, and added that I could buy a new one for around $250.00. She said I could have Doc's Griffin and Howe Springfield and that I could collect it from a local gunsmith with an FFL and pay her back in installments. "It's not the money, per se. It's just that we decided that if you paid me a little something for it, you'd be inclined to treat it like my husband did. It wouldn't be some old gun that you neglect because you got it for free." So, I had the Springfield and paid $50.00 a month for it for five months. When my 19th birthday rolled around, Doc's widow gave me my money back as a birthday gift. I wanted that rifle, to be sure. I knew exactly how much it was worth, too. But I wanted it because it was Doc's and Doc was a very special person to me. It became my main centerfire hunting and target range rifle, I couldn't afford to take it everywhere Doc did, but I did take it to Botswana twice, and caribou hunting in Canada a couple of times. I made one of my longest shots on game with it when I took a 275 yard poke at a pig on California's Santa Rosa Island. I took it coyote hunting once in June of '94. I was a peace officer then and my pager (remember those?) went off. I left the rifle and the rest of my kit in the cabin of my family hunting camp and made the 17 mile trip to the nearest phone. I needed to be in court to testify so I went on to Los Angeles for my court appearance, went to visit my parents afterward and intended to go back up to the family hunting camp after that, but my mother talked me into spending the night at my parent's house. While I was safely asleep in my mom and dad's house in suburban Orange County, CA, a wildfire burned about 70,000 acres of National Forest and BLM land in the mountains where our hunting camp was. That fire destroyed my cherished Springfield that used to be Doc's. Had I stayed the night as planned on the night that fire started, I very likely would have burned to death. That fire scorched 45,000 acres in about an hour, including our 20 acre family plot bordering the National Forest on two sides and BLM land on a third. The fire moved so fast for the first hour that I doubt I would have escaped it. I recovered the Lyman 48 aperture sight from the Springfield, but it was the only part of it I could save. We kept a Willys MB and a Ford GPW in the barn. The fire literally melted them. I had a McClelland saddle and associated tack in that same barn that also got destroyed. I kept a quarter horse mare borded at a nearby ranch and lost her, too. Ultimately, everything I lost in that fire was really just stuff that I will eventually have no further use for and I'm a whole lot closer to having no further use for it now than I was three decades ago when I lost it all.
I had something just show up out of the blue. I am ok now. But its made me think about this. I have a few people pick out for certain guns. And besides them told my wife and kids to keep whatever they wanted. And gave them the value on ones I guess will be sold and gave her a list of gun shops she could trust. The old guns from my grandfather and his family was destroyed in a house fire. So the real family herlomes are gone. Your stories about ww2 reminds me of one lost in the fire a polish vz35 random with nazi marking. One of my dads buddies did the writing letters for the guns. He vacuum sealed them . Took the buttock off and put them in bolt hole in the stock.
I do hate to hear that about the fire. Sadly so many family heirlooms have been lost to fires and not just guns. And that was pretty smart what your dads buddy did. Someone in the future is going to really appreciate that.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving thanks. What made that fire so bad my aunt had died not long before it. We had all the pictures old tin types, ggranmom few pieces of China and cooking stuff. Bacily everything. The fire department would not try to put it out. I don't blame them either. No one really thinks about ammo and blackpowder going off in a house fire. And when it is they let it burn and stay on station to stop fire from spreading.
I have always said that I am not married to my guns. I have sold off most of my collection when family needs required it. i.e. medical bills from my first wife's terminal illness, buying a house, etc.. I have rebuilt my collection for probably the last time. I really thought about this two years ago when I had open heart surgery. I have dispersed the actual heirlooms to the kids already. There are about 60 guns left and all are fairly expensive ones. I am torn between having my current wife sell them off or leaving them to the kids. My one son is a master gunsmith and also a deputy sheriff and SWAT sniper. We started counting his guns one time and stopped at 500! Obviously he doesn't need any of mine. My latest thought is to leave them to my youngest son with the exception the older boy (with 500+ guns) can have his pick of any single gun and my really nice over under to my son in law who only interest is occasional bird hunting.
A long time ago my dad taught me that in terms of dollars, something is worth what someone else is willing to pay. Your much loved, old reliable, "Meat in the Pot" .30-06 rifle, made back in the thirties, may be worth a great deal to you. But to a gun dealer, it likely is worth very little. The dealer has to resell it and make enough profit to keep the doors open. The fixed three power scope made in the forties, decorated by decades of nicks and dings but still clear, doesn't add anything to the value. The stock that you refinished twice might now look like a dog's chew toy. It likely needs re-bluing again. With a lot of work it could look like a show piece but that work will cost far more than most are willing to pay if done by a gunsmith. So, gift it to someone in the family who hunts and shoots. Or give it to the good friend who still can get into the field. Perhaps said friend has a grandchild who wants to start hunting. All selling it will do is get you a few dollars you likely don't really need anyway.
Hi Tom, still loving your videos here in Australia. Just wondering though about the number of people you've known who have "passed away". Everyone I talk to here also constantly refer to peopl who have also " passed away" but also to people who have " passed on" or who have " gone to the other side". It does seem like nobody actually DIES any more......
That's a great observation tech eng, and one I actually have an answer for: For a Christian no one really dies. They literally pass on and hopefully to heaven. Even the most devout of us still feel the giant hole left by their absences but we'll join them again one day on the other side. And I don't know what your personal beliefs are but if you're more secular death is still an experience that we will all face one day. All of my ancestors have passed away and my father is all that's left of my family that came before me. They have all experienced death and one day I will fallow in their footsteps for that experience as well and go to wherever it is they have gone so continuing the cycle.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I see where you are coming from Tom and understand your approach. My partner is a deeply religious woman who very much regrets that I am an atheist and wishes that I could be a believer. I just can't find it in me though I very much respect people who are sincere in their own beliefs.
@@teacheng3795 I've always found it interesting how an intelligent person could be an atheist. And I understand it completely and I don't fault anyone for their beliefs, but I find it interesting when for me the proof of God seems to be so obvious. It's as if some people just can't see it sort of like not being able to see the forest for the trees? And I understand the very rational thinking by most atheists such as of all the religions that have existed why is one any different than the countless others. That is a very rational and obvious question to ask but for me the answer also seems to be just as rational and obvious. In my case the question would be how do I know Christianity is the religion that got it right? And my answer is Christianity is the only religion that gave us Western Civilization. It just seems so obvious to me that we have been blessed by God for following his word and the teachings of Christ? But it's fine if you don''t see it, but I can pray one day God will revile it to you. And I did a video awhile back for Christmas, 7 Big Misconceptions about Christianity, that I think you might find very interesting from a secular point of view if you haven't already seen it? It's not going to change your thoughts about God but I bet you will find it to be very interesting?
I enjoy your videos sir, but this one resonated with me in particular. I am a gun person, but in regards to family, I am alone in this. There are no family heirlooms to be had. My wife and I have no children, at least not yet, and we are in our mid 30's, so it seems less and less likely to happen. Further more, I only have nieces. No nephews. Of course, a girl could become interested in firearms as well, but it has yet to happen in my family. Furthermore, the laws here in Denmark are restrictive in regards to registration, so I can't just give them away willy nilly, at least not as long as I intend on living, and if my wife is still around when it's my time to go, then I wouldn't want to burden her with the police coming around, searching for a missing deer rifle or handgun. I plan on having many decades left, hopefully half a century or more, but having a plan for these things is a good idea. I suppose I have one in my mind, but I should really put it in writing. Thank you for reminding me, sir.
I had not heard of those but I just did a quick search and seems like Kimber sporterized quite a few of those in the 90's. I'll definitely have to keep my eye out for one in the future.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I recently acquired one seems real solid ! Nice little pawnshop find , love The channel ! And yes that's a good topic I've seen alot of people get hurt feelings over who's getting what gun it's best to designate and leave em to someone who respects and loves them like you do for sure if not they can end up in a estate sale for nowhere near what there worth in both price and sentimental value!
Don't ever think that your wishes about an item will be respected when not in writing. A close family friend had a 26 Chrysler that he made known was to go to me. He passed and while we were at his funeral, his estranged son came to the house and stole it out of the garage.
My grandpa was a gun collector and left his collection to my uncle. My uncle is a gun hoarder. No one knows how many guns he has including him but I’m guessing around 500 firearms. I hope he has some kind of record of them. I know he will want the family heirlooms to be passed down but I’m afraid they may get confused with duplicates he owns. He is in ICU and I’m afraid if I and don’t feel comfortable asking. Thank you for making this video. I am going to make a list of my firearms today so my family won’t have to guess.
Jessie, I'll pray he makes it and if he does go ahead and ask him about your Grandpa's guns and tell him why you're asking. I don't think he'll mind a bit?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I spent the day with him at the hospital. He has a hard time speaking but he said he has everything written down. The good news is he is doing a lot better and my get to go home in a week or two
Unfortunately my uncle passed away on last Sunday. The night before he passed his son went to the ER with pneumonia and passed away on Wednesday. Our family is devastated by the loss of these great men. My cousin that passed away was in possession of the gun list and we have not found it yet. My cousin was also I gun collector and had and stored a bunch at my uncles a couple of years when he was having marriage problems. ( most of his are in lock box safes) My aunt has asked my dad and I to help divide and sell the collection but we can’t do anything until we find the list. It needs to be done asap as we are worried someone will rob her. There has already been over 1/2 a dozen people call asking about his guns. I hope everyone sees this video and takes the necessary action. We just hope we do the right thing. Luckily our family is not greedy and will not fight over material things. but I know a situation like this could cause some major argument among family members.
With respect , history means NOTHING to a gun dealer, in fact there is not a single honest gun dealer on this planet that cares about the " history." of a family collection. They think they have you over a barrel and will , if they want the weapon, offer you cents on the dollar. The value you are talking about is only sentimental to a close relative. I speak from experience from the same situation you describe about WW2. It would be better to disassemble the weapon and through it into the deepest lake or river you can find than getting ripped off by trying to sell it. Besides, today, there are all kinds of legal issues in transferring a gun and shipping it to someone. Last, you have to have someone who cares about the history. Generations today don't even know what WW2 was, most don't know about Vietnam. Good luck with your collection, there is only a rip off dealer waiting to acquire them because he will pull out that cash you said has no value and wave it in the face of your relative and say " take this or get out of my store " A dealer might offer you $500 bucks for both of those rifles, so where is the value in the " history" you cherish so much. Throw your note books away and enjoy your collection while a live and let the estate sale take care of their future.
Pretty cynical but a lot of truth to it. Old guns, old cars, same story. Somebody wants em and someone wants to make money selling them. Their history means virtually nothing. I feel like if your kids/widow have ZERO interest in them, then you made some mistakes during your life. Surely there is somebody in your life that will appreciate them? I digress...
@@truckguy6666 thanks, you hit the nail on the head. Ironically my wife understands and her side of family, who didn't know my dad might appreciate them , its frustrating because all the stories and " bravery " it took him to obtain these. I've closed out two estates and the first thing you see are the vultures circling.
This is a bit to cynical. And a tad bit selfish. If properlly documented your estate shouldn't be losing much of any money on the sale front. As stated in the video record, price at purchase, where it was purchased, what it was used for and the condition it was gotten in. Along with that should be instructions on how to sell them at auction, or to a trusted gun store. Hell what's stopping you from pre setting up sales with friends and family? And recording who to contact upon ones death. Not setting things up so ones significant family such as a wife or kids can properly know the value and how to address your stuff in death. Is not only selfish it's poor wealth management. It's no different then saying screw having a will, I'm dead let them figure it out. Everyone should have a proper recording of their assets. Tools, guns, electronics, furniture etc... It's good financial practice and makes insurance claims and deaths less stressful. It sets your family up for getting the proper value of your assets instead of being ripped off.
@@canadianguy1955 appreciate the advise, which is full of moose manure. I hope you didn't spend too much time typing it because that's how much time you can't get back in your life. I don't take advise from Canucks anyway, your government is totally different and you have no idea what I have done or what kind of firearms I am talking about.. Gun dealers are the most corrupt people in the world, short of politicians, I should know look at my government.
@@c123bthunderpig Everyone's got their own difficulties in aging, so it's sad to see when someone is having difficulty as they get more decrepit with age. It's okay that your going through this, it's all part of life. I offer my deepest sympathies with your hardship in aging, and your issues with communication. I on the other hand, have no issues with typing, texting, or orating. Also have a good solid 50 years before that starts to become a thing. But thank you for your concern it's appreciated, especially from someone clearly going through this kind of hardship. I'll go ahead and assume you take advice from no one. Me being Canadian has nothing to do with your know it all, full of yourself ideas and attitude. Having ones will, and assets properly catalogued is sound financial advice for anyone. But I bet even from the most qualified person you'd scoff at that advice. Just like you generalize that all gun dealers as rip off artists you'd do the same to them. Ever think these dealers are low balling you because you come off like a know it all prick? Communication skills are key to a good negotiation. You are correct I don't know what kind of firearms your talking about, you never mentioned them. I'll go ahead and assume by your generalization of gun dealers, that you buy bottom of the barrel crap, and want close to what you payed for it, after it's been used and abused. Your writing style, and opinions give off the "I'm Cheap" vibe, and the "I know what I got don't lowball me" attitude. You claim "history has no value" Odd. So why are there fire arms being sold as collectors items, that were owned by specific individuals. It would seem hundreds of thousands if not millions of wealthy collectors see the value in history. Firearms with a past, can and will appreciate in value for many reasons. Odd that when I go into the various museums, there are entire collections of firearms that were previously owned by one man, or a family. But ya I guess you Thunderpig, knows better then those expert collectors who spend millions on these firearms yearly and who preserve them for history. Just because no one cares about your unremarkable history, doesn't mean they don't care about history. Just because your uninteresting, and have added nothing of value to the story of your firearms. Doesn't mean others have been so extremely mediocre when it comes to their imprint on the world, and the value of their firearms.
If you have guns, or for that matter anything that you love and that matters to you, if it matters where it goes when you pass, you better have something legal to back it up..because its been my experience {and Im 74 and have seen a lot of it} when you die the vultures will descend to pick your bones. Unfortunately, a lot of those vultures will be in the guise of family. If you are mentally capable when you get to the age you can no longer use your guns, give them away before you die..its the only sure way to ensure they go where you want them to...This was a much-needed video and a well-done one...God Bless
Great advise!
Great advice @leeadams5941. Unfortunately the vultures descended on my Grandfather's small but meaningful collection of firearms, unavailable to the members of my family who would wish to cherish them. They were taken to get appraised straight away, then locked in a safe. It's painful to think about.
Fellow you said a mouthful there. I've lost count of the times I've seen siblings and other family members fly apart over inheritance or lack thereof. Thanks
It's not just the Firearms it's the ammunition too
I am glad you made this video. My dad passed away about three years ago. I have his Colt trooper he bought in the 1960s. He carried this pistol for 28 years on the city police force. His stories would die with me if I don't start to wright them down for my son.
This video is excellent and maybe the most important one you have ever done Tom. I recently have acquired several of my Dad's firearms and he is gratefully still alive. They mean so much to me and when they were given to me I also got the story behind them. I will write those down so one day I can pass them on to my children and they will know the story behind Grandpa's firearms. It is so important to pass this heritage and culture down the the generations coming behind us. I am also keeping record of the firearms I have acquired over the years so one day my kids and grandkids will have them as well. Thanks for this video Tom. An extremely valuable video!
One of my most prized possessions is my grandfathers 1911 he carried across France and Germany in WW2. Also have a savage pump 22 that belonged to my great grandfather
Priceless, I have a horror of when my time is up what will happen to my heirlooms. I hope my son ( he's 6 now) will carry it on.
Mr. Tom I recently found your channel. I immediately enjoyed your content but even more so your personality. You sir remind me of many a great older men from my childhood, and men whom made a great impression on me at such a young age. I believe that this world could use a slowdown. So much of today is all about the fast passed, what's new, what's next, what else can you buy to be ever increasingly more unhappy with your life. I have enjoyed so many of your videos in such a short time. But most of all the pace and demeanor in which you tell your story.
Thank you for what you do and keep up the good work.
Hello Tom, I agree with you. Its very easy to assume life will go on another day. I think it is wise advice to make arrangement with ones firearms just as anyone would also set up a will. Take care my Southern Brother from another Mother.
Stay well & God bless you all!
✌️😎👍
Good advice, thanks. I have some of my dad’s guns and some of my grandpa’s guns. I also have my guns. It’s only right to leave the story with them. I need to do it and get them organized. Thanks again.
Your all right Tom. Look frwd to meeting you one day....
I have been putting off distribution of my guns for too long. Time to record history and preferred new ownership. Hard topic. Thank you.
Tom, it's so true how we don't think about such things and it's too late once our end is upon us. It's important that we take a few moments and think of how we would like to pass on such things. How special it is to receive an item that was passed on, but even more of a treasure when there's a history or story that goes with it. And you, sharing these words of wisdom makes it easier for your listeners to accept and realize to get this done now that we're sound and still here.
If you make a detailed list and description of current value, of your collection is something to make and keep. When you are gone and who knows when, is hopefully a surprise, at the least the ones you leave behind will know what to expect. As a value of your personal things not just guns but also everything of personal value is something to include. People that do that are few to none. If you do not you, invite looting from all that can. This causes family conflicts never settled and often pull attorneys into the issue and they are the biggest winners of all. Or sell it yourself and spend or save the money. 🤔😂🙂
That does help especially if the beneficiary wants to sell and has no idea of the value. I was fortunate in that matter as when my father unexpectedly passed early, my step mother said I could have them all so I fetched them before the other relatives started thinking but ended up with no conflicts as all the relatives said I should have them. But that don`t happen often as I`ve heard many horror stories witch is the best reason one should plan ahead besides the next reason here. A few days after my father passed I was talking to my next store neighbor [ same age as my self ] and he was stating that his wife got on him for not having life insurance and he said it`s not like i`m going to die tomorrow. Well both of them were killed by a car the next day while out for a walk so you never know.
Thank you very much sir.I’m a young lad and I love history my pop did too hope my kids love it aswell. Have a good day to all
I kind of know what you mean my dad some 22 years ago wanted me to be on the ranch to help out my brother is younger by 10 years. Dad guarantee me that I would get the place where I lived I built a shop had my house put in all the utilities and gravel. Then some years later without including me he goes down to a lawyer and gives my brother everything including what I built and paid for on the property my brother evicted me out of my own house after dad past away . I went to court and this judge gave him my stuff even though I could show I had paid for my things because my dad didn’t do what he said he would so you can’t trust family
You learned a valuable lesson there. I'm in a similar situation with my grandmother's 5 acre property I'm living on. I refuse to build the shop on it until she signs over the property to me. And all improvements I make to the land are billed to her. Never trust anyone, especially family.
I feel like you were looking over my shoulder the other day. I was writing down some information about a rifle I own. I have considered what to do with my gear. I have a bunch of gear I have acquired over the years. Guns, fly rods, inshore outfits, surf gear, and offshore rods/reels. A bunch of camping gear too. Not sure what I am going to do with all this stuff. My problem is nobody in my immediate family is really interested in these activities. It is an interesting question. MH
My kids and grandkids are part of the modern suburban secular lifestyle even though they are church goers and a few go to Catholic school. I will probably give a few guns to friends and relatives that have a passion for firearms and hunting. Self defense type firearms will go to my kids. Hunting and target firearms will go to others.
I will make an effort to give away my firearms and reloading stuff away before I croak. I would give me great pleasure to give my stuff away to those that have a passion for firearms and would be grateful. They would not need to owe me nothing but joy on their face.
That is a good feeling to give things to those that appreciate it!
GOD bless you brother. True story...
I realized I've never seen anyone talk on this subject and all true lovers of firearms know this is great advice for many reasons. Thanks for sharing such a good plan.
Enjoy them all you can sadly I don't believe we can take em with us. Lol. Great channel thanks again.
🇺🇸🇵🇷🇵🇪😎 Thanks for sharing this video, I'm 75 and feeling fine today. But you don't know what tomorrow will bring..Tomorrow I will be tagging all my firearms and starting a journal with all the information you mentioned. Some day my family will thank you also 😊..
You are a wise man, Mr. Tom. While we are from 2 different worlds, I feel like we could be brothers... and I suppose in one way, we are. I very much appreciate your videos. And I sincerely thank you for taking the time to pass on your thoughts, experiences and wisdom.
Sad but true… a beautiful life lesson.
Thanks for the video. I am at the age where I don't buy green bananas. My wife has been asking me for the last year to list all my guns and they're value along with which grandchild inherits it. The one with the most history belonged to my grandfather. A well worn L.C. Smith purchased in 1921. My grandchildren are all by my daughters so they don't have my name. In this case I am going on one more turkey hunt with it and leaving it to my cousin's 10 year old grandson because of his last name and because it was his two times great grandfathers. When the banks closed after the crash of 1929 grandfather had 37 dollars in the bank. When he went to collect it he was told the bank was closed. He pointed at his wagon and said "That shotgun says this bank is open". He got his 37 dollars.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video James. And I think that's pretty good that you're passing that LC Smith on to your cousins son. It will stay with the family name.
THANK YOU SIR. AT THE THE AGE OF 78 I AM GOING THRU THE SAME DECISION WITH MY COLLECTION. EVRY ITEM HAS BEEN CATALOGED with serial # cost and brief history thank you sir.
Good stuff brother 🇺🇸
Wife said she is selling all my guns even though I told her I want my son to have all of them. Many have good stories and family history. I either have to out live her or its going to be a legal fight.
I know an individual that has a large rifle collection and he lives in an apartment for a good number of years and the apartment changed ownership the New owner renewed his lease and it went and when it ran out he got a notice from the landlord a 60 day notice that the landlord was not going to renew his lease and has to move out the man is in a panic now because he's forced to sell his rifles and has quite a bit of ammunition he hasn't a place to live yet he lives on a fixed income and that's where he's having problems finding a place can afford bottom line he never saw this coming
Id buy one or two if i was in your area. Buy im not.
Well them to him state that she. Is not allowed to tuch them in anyway the 100% got to him it ain't a pot she can piss in
Can I call dibs on your model 70 lol 😂 just kidding
My childless pediatric dentist became a shooting range and quail hunting buddy of mine when I was a teen.
When he passed away, his widow called me on the evening of my 18th birthday and asked me if I wanted to buy one of Doc's firearms. He only had three: A Griffin and Howe Springfield rifle, a Parker 28 gauge shotgun, and a .22 LR Smith and Wesson revolver. Now, I was still in high school, and that morning, I'd blown my financial wad on a 20 gauge Ugartechea Model 30 shotgun. Even if I hadn't, I couldn't have paid her what any one of those firearms was worth, even back then in 1983.
She said that Doc really wanted me to have his rifle, but they discussed the matter and mutually determined that I'd treat it with more care if I "paid a little something" for it. When I told Mrs Doc that I had no money because I'd just bought a shotgun earlier that day, she asked me what new rifle I'd buy and how much it would cost. I told her that I wanted a Ruger No.1, but would probably actually buy a Model 77 bolt action, and added that I could buy a new one for around $250.00.
She said I could have Doc's Griffin and Howe Springfield and that I could collect it from a local gunsmith with an FFL and pay her back in installments.
"It's not the money, per se. It's just that we decided that if you paid me a little something for it, you'd be inclined to treat it like my husband did. It wouldn't be some old gun that you neglect because you got it for free."
So, I had the Springfield and paid $50.00 a month for it for five months. When my 19th birthday rolled around, Doc's widow gave me my money back as a birthday gift.
I wanted that rifle, to be sure. I knew exactly how much it was worth, too. But I wanted it because it was Doc's and Doc was a very special person to me. It became my main centerfire hunting and target range rifle, I couldn't afford to take it everywhere Doc did, but I did take it to Botswana twice, and caribou hunting in Canada a couple of times. I made one of my longest shots on game with it when I took a 275 yard poke at a pig on California's Santa Rosa Island.
I took it coyote hunting once in June of '94. I was a peace officer then and my pager (remember those?) went off. I left the rifle and the rest of my kit in the cabin of my family hunting camp and made the 17 mile trip to the nearest phone. I needed to be in court to testify so I went on to Los Angeles for my court appearance, went to visit my parents afterward and intended to go back up to the family hunting camp after that, but my mother talked me into spending the night at my parent's house.
While I was safely asleep in my mom and dad's house in suburban Orange County, CA, a wildfire burned about 70,000 acres of National Forest and BLM land in the mountains where our hunting camp was. That fire destroyed my cherished Springfield that used to be Doc's.
Had I stayed the night as planned on the night that fire started, I very likely would have burned to death. That fire scorched 45,000 acres in about an hour, including our 20 acre family plot bordering the National Forest on two sides and BLM land on a third. The fire moved so fast for the first hour that I doubt I would have escaped it.
I recovered the Lyman 48 aperture sight from the Springfield, but it was the only part of it I could save.
We kept a Willys MB and a Ford GPW in the barn. The fire literally melted them. I had a McClelland saddle and associated tack in that same barn that also got destroyed. I kept a quarter horse mare borded at a nearby ranch and lost her, too.
Ultimately, everything I lost in that fire was really just stuff that I will eventually have no further use for and I'm a whole lot closer to having no further use for it now than I was three decades ago when I lost it all.
To many VULTURES in clan i have, better get them fast or BYE BYE
I had something just show up out of the blue. I am ok now. But its made me think about this.
I have a few people pick out for certain guns. And besides them told my wife and kids to keep whatever they wanted.
And gave them the value on ones I guess will be sold and gave her a list of gun shops she could trust.
The old guns from my grandfather and his family was destroyed in a house fire. So the real family herlomes are gone.
Your stories about ww2 reminds me of one lost in the fire a polish vz35 random with nazi marking.
One of my dads buddies did the writing letters for the guns. He vacuum sealed them .
Took the buttock off and put them in bolt hole in the stock.
I do hate to hear that about the fire. Sadly so many family heirlooms have been lost to fires and not just guns.
And that was pretty smart what your dads buddy did. Someone in the future is going to really appreciate that.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving thanks.
What made that fire so bad my aunt had died not long before it.
We had all the pictures old tin types, ggranmom few pieces of China and cooking stuff.
Bacily everything.
The fire department would not try to put it out. I don't blame them either.
No one really thinks about ammo and blackpowder going off in a house fire.
And when it is they let it burn and stay on station to stop fire from spreading.
What happen to the boat Tom.
I have always said that I am not married to my guns. I have sold off most of my collection when family needs required it. i.e. medical bills from my first wife's terminal illness, buying a house, etc.. I have rebuilt my collection for probably the last time. I really thought about this two years ago when I had open heart surgery. I have dispersed the actual heirlooms to the kids already. There are about 60 guns left and all are fairly expensive ones. I am torn between having my current wife sell them off or leaving them to the kids. My one son is a master gunsmith and also a deputy sheriff and SWAT sniper. We started counting his guns one time and stopped at 500! Obviously he doesn't need any of mine. My latest thought is to leave them to my youngest son with the exception the older boy (with 500+ guns) can have his pick of any single gun and my really nice over under to my son in law who only interest is occasional bird hunting.
Had my family guns stolen ,good luck on getting any back.
Joe, did you have any of the serial #'s? If so one or 2 will turn up eventually.
Pictures and serial numbers
I have rebounded on gun but not memories
A long time ago my dad taught me that in terms of dollars, something is worth what someone else is willing to pay. Your much loved, old reliable, "Meat in the Pot" .30-06 rifle, made back in the thirties, may be worth a great deal to you. But to a gun dealer, it likely is worth very little. The dealer has to resell it and make enough profit to keep the doors open. The fixed three power scope made in the forties, decorated by decades of nicks and dings but still clear, doesn't add anything to the value. The stock that you refinished twice might now look like a dog's chew toy. It likely needs re-bluing again. With a lot of work it could look like a show piece but that work will cost far more than most are willing to pay if done by a gunsmith.
So, gift it to someone in the family who hunts and shoots. Or give it to the good friend who still can get into the field. Perhaps said friend has a grandchild who wants to start hunting. All selling it will do is get you a few dollars you likely don't really need anyway.
Well said Stephen and I wish I had spoke more about the monetary value in this video because sentimental value doesn't translate into monetary.
Hi Tom, still loving your videos here in Australia.
Just wondering though about the number of people you've known who have "passed away".
Everyone I talk to here also constantly refer to peopl who have also " passed away" but also to people who have " passed on" or who have " gone to the other side".
It does seem like nobody actually DIES any more......
That's a great observation tech eng, and one I actually have an answer for: For a Christian no one really dies. They literally pass on and hopefully to heaven. Even the most devout of us still feel the giant hole left by their absences but we'll join them again one day on the other side. And I don't know what your personal beliefs are but if you're more secular death is still an experience that we will all face one day. All of my ancestors have passed away and my father is all that's left of my family that came before me. They have all experienced death and one day I will fallow in their footsteps for that experience as well and go to wherever it is they have gone so continuing the cycle.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I see where you are coming from Tom and understand your approach.
My partner is a deeply religious woman who very much regrets that I am an atheist and wishes that I could be a believer. I just can't find it in me though I very much respect people who are sincere in their own beliefs.
@@teacheng3795 I've always found it interesting how an intelligent person could be an atheist. And I understand it completely and I don't fault anyone for their beliefs, but I find it interesting when for me the proof of God seems to be so obvious. It's as if some people just can't see it sort of like not being able to see the forest for the trees? And I understand the very rational thinking by most atheists such as of all the religions that have existed why is one any different than the countless others. That is a very rational and obvious question to ask but for me the answer also seems to be just as rational and obvious. In my case the question would be how do I know Christianity is the religion that got it right? And my answer is Christianity is the only religion that gave us Western Civilization. It just seems so obvious to me that we have been blessed by God for following his word and the teachings of Christ? But it's fine if you don''t see it, but I can pray one day God will revile it to you. And I did a video awhile back for Christmas, 7 Big Misconceptions about Christianity, that I think you might find very interesting from a secular point of view if you haven't already seen it? It's not going to change your thoughts about God but I bet you will find it to be very interesting?
I enjoy your videos sir, but this one resonated with me in particular.
I am a gun person, but in regards to family, I am alone in this. There are no family heirlooms to be had. My wife and I have no children, at least not yet, and we are in our mid 30's, so it seems less and less likely to happen. Further more, I only have nieces. No nephews. Of course, a girl could become interested in firearms as well, but it has yet to happen in my family.
Furthermore, the laws here in Denmark are restrictive in regards to registration, so I can't just give them away willy nilly, at least not as long as I intend on living, and if my wife is still around when it's my time to go, then I wouldn't want to burden her with the police coming around, searching for a missing deer rifle or handgun.
I plan on having many decades left, hopefully half a century or more, but having a plan for these things is a good idea. I suppose I have one in my mind, but I should really put it in writing. Thank you for reminding me, sir.
Tom have you ever heard of Carl Gustav 6.5 by 55 sweed that was rebarelled and sportarized by kimber ?
I had not heard of those but I just did a quick search and seems like Kimber sporterized quite a few of those in the 90's. I'll definitely have to keep my eye out for one in the future.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I recently acquired one seems real solid ! Nice little pawnshop find , love The channel ! And yes that's a good topic I've seen alot of people get hurt feelings over who's getting what gun it's best to designate and leave em to someone who respects and loves them like you do for sure if not they can end up in a estate sale for nowhere near what there worth in both price and sentimental value!
Great idea write it down! I'm gonna do that.
Don't ever think that your wishes about an item will be respected when not in writing. A close family friend had a 26 Chrysler that he made known was to go to me. He passed and while we were at his funeral, his estranged son came to the house and stole it out of the garage.
Awesome video
My grandpa was a gun collector and left his collection to my uncle. My uncle is a gun hoarder. No one knows how many guns he has including him but I’m guessing around 500 firearms. I hope he has some kind of record of them. I know he will want the family heirlooms to be passed down but I’m afraid they may get confused with duplicates he owns. He is in ICU and I’m afraid if I and don’t feel comfortable asking. Thank you for making this video. I am going to make a list of my firearms today so my family won’t have to guess.
Jessie, I'll pray he makes it and if he does go ahead and ask him about your Grandpa's guns and tell him why you're asking. I don't think he'll mind a bit?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I spent the day with him at the hospital. He has a hard time speaking but he said he has everything written down. The good news is he is doing a lot better and my get to go home in a week or two
@@jman95510 Glad to hear that Jessie!
Unfortunately my uncle passed away on last Sunday. The night before he passed his son went to the ER with pneumonia and passed away on Wednesday. Our family is devastated by the loss of these great men. My cousin that passed away was in possession of the gun list and we have not found it yet. My cousin was also I gun collector and had and stored a bunch at my uncles a couple of years when he was having marriage problems. ( most of his are in lock box safes) My aunt has asked my dad and I to help divide and sell the collection but we can’t do anything until we find the list. It needs to be done asap as we are worried someone will rob her. There has already been over 1/2 a dozen people call asking about his guns. I hope everyone sees this video and takes the necessary action. We just hope we do the right thing. Luckily our family is not greedy and will not fight over material things. but I know a situation like this could cause some major argument among family members.
👍🏻
Lol
You want get nothing if stolen
Truth
Did you build the beautiful hanging cabinet directly behind you?
I did Mark. I haven't had a chance to do any wood working for awhile now but I love doing that as much as shooting and setting up rifles.
With respect , history means NOTHING to a gun dealer, in fact there is not a single honest gun dealer on this planet that cares about the " history." of a family collection. They think they have you over a barrel and will , if they want the weapon, offer you cents on the dollar. The value you are talking about is only sentimental to a close relative. I speak from experience from the same situation you describe about WW2. It would be better to disassemble the weapon and through it into the deepest lake or river you can find than getting ripped off by trying to sell it. Besides, today, there are all kinds of legal issues in transferring a gun and shipping it to someone. Last, you have to have someone who cares about the history. Generations today don't even know what WW2 was, most don't know about Vietnam. Good luck with your collection, there is only a rip off dealer waiting to acquire them because he will pull out that cash you said has no value and wave it in the face of your relative and say " take this or get out of my store " A dealer might offer you $500 bucks for both of those rifles, so where is the value in the " history" you cherish so much. Throw your note books away and enjoy your collection while a live and let the estate sale take care of their future.
Pretty cynical but a lot of truth to it. Old guns, old cars, same story. Somebody wants em and someone wants to make money selling them. Their history means virtually nothing. I feel like if your kids/widow have ZERO interest in them, then you made some mistakes during your life. Surely there is somebody in your life that will appreciate them? I digress...
@@truckguy6666 thanks, you hit the nail on the head. Ironically my wife understands and her side of family, who didn't know my dad might appreciate them , its frustrating because all the stories and " bravery " it took him to obtain these. I've closed out two estates and the first thing you see are the vultures circling.
This is a bit to cynical. And a tad bit selfish. If properlly documented your estate shouldn't be losing much of any money on the sale front.
As stated in the video record, price at purchase, where it was purchased, what it was used for and the condition it was gotten in. Along with that should be instructions on how to sell them at auction, or to a trusted gun store. Hell what's stopping you from pre setting up sales with friends and family? And recording who to contact upon ones death.
Not setting things up so ones significant family such as a wife or kids can properly know the value and how to address your stuff in death. Is not only selfish it's poor wealth management. It's no different then saying screw having a will, I'm dead let them figure it out.
Everyone should have a proper recording of their assets. Tools, guns, electronics, furniture etc... It's good financial practice and makes insurance claims and deaths less stressful. It sets your family up for getting the proper value of your assets instead of being ripped off.
@@canadianguy1955 appreciate the advise, which is full of moose manure. I hope you didn't spend too much time typing it because that's how much time you can't get back in your life. I don't take advise from Canucks anyway, your government is totally different and you have no idea what I have done or what kind of firearms I am talking about.. Gun dealers are the most corrupt people in the world, short of politicians, I should know look at my government.
@@c123bthunderpig Everyone's got their own difficulties in aging, so it's sad to see when someone is having difficulty as they get more decrepit with age. It's okay that your going through this, it's all part of life. I offer my deepest sympathies with your hardship in aging, and your issues with communication. I on the other hand, have no issues with typing, texting, or orating. Also have a good solid 50 years before that starts to become a thing. But thank you for your concern it's appreciated, especially from someone clearly going through this kind of hardship.
I'll go ahead and assume you take advice from no one. Me being Canadian has nothing to do with your know it all, full of yourself ideas and attitude. Having ones will, and assets properly catalogued is sound financial advice for anyone. But I bet even from the most qualified person you'd scoff at that advice. Just like you generalize that all gun dealers as rip off artists you'd do the same to them. Ever think these dealers are low balling you because you come off like a know it all prick? Communication skills are key to a good negotiation.
You are correct I don't know what kind of firearms your talking about, you never mentioned them. I'll go ahead and assume by your generalization of gun dealers, that you buy bottom of the barrel crap, and want close to what you payed for it, after it's been used and abused. Your writing style, and opinions give off the "I'm Cheap" vibe, and the "I know what I got don't lowball me" attitude.
You claim "history has no value" Odd. So why are there fire arms being sold as collectors items, that were owned by specific individuals. It would seem hundreds of thousands if not millions of wealthy collectors see the value in history. Firearms with a past, can and will appreciate in value for many reasons. Odd that when I go into the various museums, there are entire collections of firearms that were previously owned by one man, or a family. But ya I guess you Thunderpig, knows better then those expert collectors who spend millions on these firearms yearly and who preserve them for history.
Just because no one cares about your unremarkable history, doesn't mean they don't care about history. Just because your uninteresting, and have added nothing of value to the story of your firearms. Doesn't mean others have been so extremely mediocre when it comes to their imprint on the world, and the value of their firearms.
Good video Tom…also add into that letter to the progenitors about the guns, the rest of your good advice on how to be a man and lead a family.
Thanks for that Jay