Gun Collection Stolen

[ronbradsher]

Several months ago, a gun collection was stolen from a home in North Carolina.
The thief was a caregiver for the elderly woman whose husband had been an avid bird hunter and gun collector over the course of his lifetime. None of the guns have been recovered so far.
The collection included 27 very nice side-by-side shotguns (and about half of those were Parkers). In addition to the side-by-sides, there were other shotguns as well as rifles and pistols that were taken.
These guns were to have been handed down to the victim's only grandson and I would think that almost everybody who has any gun that belonged to their father or grandfather, any gun with a family connection or history, will understand just how this family feels.
The thief was from eastern North Carolina, she had been working as a caregiver for the victim. She worked on a seven-day rotating schedule with another caregiver and it is believed that after she gained access the gun safe she managed to get the guns out of the house by breaking them down and hiding them in her bags.
The family does not believe that the thief had any idea of the value or the collectable nature of the guns she took.
These guns have not been pawned based upon what law enforcement has indicated to the family. They were likely sold to an individual or to individuals for relatively little money (far less than their actual value). The buyer(s), since there would be no connection other than ownership, may try to sell these guns to collectors - people who appreciate these guns would be willing to pay fair value.
Any suggestions, or just advice, would be greatly appreciated.
The family does have serial numbers for every gun that was stolen.

[Mills]

That is awful. Does the family have a better description of the guns?

If you have serial numbers, report to the ATF, but you have probably already done that

Good luck

[birddogdoc]

That's terrible. Hope justice is severed

[terc]

If you do have serial #s and descriptions, list them here, and on other collector forums such as Fox Collectors, LC Smith Collectors ect..
Chances are a member may be approached to buy one or many.
It may help you to find the guns, and protect us from buying a stolen gun(s).

[Randy Roberts]

That's terrible and I agree with posting the info on the guns here as well as various other sites as mentioned. One thing I don't get though. Am I understanding this right in that the thief was apprehended and it is unknown where any of the 27 guns went/are ??

[Drew Hause]

This site appears to be legit - does anyone have actual experience listing or searching for stolen guns?
https://www.hotgunz.com/

While within the state face-to-face long gun purchases are in most states legal, this is an important reminder that lack of knowledge that a gun is stolen does not relieve us of the responsibility of having purchased a stolen gun, it is wise to confirm the ID and state residency of the seller with at least a DL, and we will have essentially no hope of recovery of the gun or our money if it is confiscated.

You might also contact Deep River Sporting Clays in Sanford. They sponsor a major SxS shoot in the Spring.
https://www.deepriver.net/

[Opening Day]

I agree, list the Parkers and serial numbers here, Foxes and LC Smiths on their boards.

[Mills]

Also, if these are double guns in eastern NC, the Southern SXS in Sanford in the spring would be a likely place for someone to try to pawn off the guns. Making a list available to vendors there would help.

[B. Dudley]

Get the list of numbers to the ATF and have them added to the list. That way there is a way to check and track them if they surface.

[Keavin Nelson]

Originally Posted by Eric Eis

I agree, list the Parkers and serial numbers here, Foxes and LC Smiths on their boards.

Why not list them all here, many of our members own all three!