The things we love and those we love

[Keith Doty]

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.

[Bill Murphy]

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.

[mobirdhunter]

I purchased a piece of inexpensive, but very serviceable, software that is designed for documenting collections. You can easily create fields of your choosing, and it allows you to load photos. I document all of my guns with purchase information and also include photos (including those of my research letters). I log the barrel specifications -- bore size, barrel wall thickness, choke constriction, etc. as well as stock dimensions and assessments of the condition (I also include any dealer or auction catalog description).

My wife knows where this record is and how to use it. If we both "go" at the same time, our will should suffice. We have no close relatives nor anyone of our acquaintance that would do anything but try to make a buck on the guns and books I've collected. I've told my wife to seek help here and have made a list of people I respect for her to seek advice on selling, should that need to happen.

[Randy Roberts]

I have been doing it for years Garry on my own with a spreadsheet that I created but I am always open to something new, better, and possibly even easier. Would you mind sharing what the name of the software is that you are referring to please?