The things we love and those we love
 

To every other PGCA member who is ticking more than one box (I've got age, hypertension, blood type, Diabetes and previous pneumonia lung damage) you may want to bring your loved ones up to speed on exactly where and how many collectibles you have hidden away. If you get this you are not going to have time to get your affairs in order. My collection is inventoried and organized and disposition is specifically mentioned in my will.

I'll bet dollars to donuts that your loved ones will not know how to dispose of or the value of your collection and that there will be unscrupulous characters ready to pounce on the unwary. Protect them now for when the inthinkable happens.

This is one of the reasons why I bring the Pretty Wife to our events so that she can meet you guys and have confidence in the advice you would give. We have to look out for one another as there is not another educated group who can.

Spin

Good to mention this now, Michael -- thanks. My best to you during this pandemic.

Make sure you have a will, power of attorney and living will and make sure your family has access to these documents. And that is advice to people who are healthy and when there is no plague on the loose.

I was shooting Sporting Clays with a good friend as we got in the cart between stations, he said I need to write down what my guns are worth so my wife will know in case something happens to me. Struck me odd, I only replyed that would be a good idea . Less than 30 days he passed away in his sleep, and never did ! We never know !

As was said above, make sure your loved ones know where to sell and ballpark prices. But remember its not just the guns, how about all of those catalogs (that they think are just paper junk to recycle) or the collector ammo that one of "your buddies " will buy for five to ten bucks a box:shock: .Spell it all out and place it with your important documents so they can be easily found.

As my family attorney *she was seventy at the time and seen it all) "When death comes look out because the will follow" She was referring to family and close friends. Something to ponder...............

And place a value on your book collections as well. Be aware that a "book store" specializing in antiquarian and collectible books will offer something less than half of their value to "relieve" you of the whole collection...

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I keep a "Gunlist"file that has lots of information on where acquired, if from family, if they require low pressure shorter ammo, special features, if I have an extra barrel, accessories, as much info as I can for my meager collection. In about 10 minutes I'll be taking my 128 year old Parker for a walk in the sunshine here in Michigan to check trail cams etc. My wife just told me I had a long beard just scurry out of our old horse pasture. Once a year I have a "Boys" get together with my two sons, son-in-law and grandson to give them an update on Life. We normally do a big Pork Chop, Salad, and my old Fried Campstyle potatoes (I know that may be enough to kill me) but we do the finances and any questions they have. Highly recommend this idea to all.

I have the same thing Michael. I have all my firearms entered into a simple spreadsheet showing maker, model. date of and purchase price, condition, etc + notes. Without this spreadsheet even I wouldn't know what I have! I have a couple of guns on that sheet that I can't find and know I didn't sell. Total mystery at this point.

I have kept a index card file for many years with all the particulars to each firearm as well as purchase price, date and a CURRENT estimated value. I update with a new card anytime a new gun "walks" into the house and annually (a new year's task) on the ones I've owned for years. Keep it in one of the safes where my wife has easy access, right next to her good jewelry, passports, etc.

Tags for parts and barrels that say "This barrel goes with gun #xxx", "This barrel is separate from any gun in this collection". Books, Parker collectibles and catalogs should be sold as soon as they become a burden in your household, preferably while you are still alive. OK, so that leaves the guns. Consider tagging them. I am thinking about that now.