Did I have the wrong reaction?

[bubbleheadchief]

Was talking to my Folks last night.....things are tight money wise here due to the impending divorce, Christmas and trying to buy a house for myself, and they're both retired, so money is tight for them always. Anyway my Mom mentioned that brother-in-law had taken some pistols that I have (a boot gun from the very early 1900s, a small .32 call revolver, a little 2 shot .22 derringer and a WWII Luger with the Wermacht stamp still visible on it that my gramps brought back from the war) to get cleaned and appraised. I dont have them with me because I have not gone home since I retired to bring them here and I couldnt have them where I lived in DC.

Anyway, Mom mentioned that for everything but the Luger, Jason could get between $500-$1K, due to age and condition, he couldn't get more then that for them....personally I think he is trying to get his hands on them. I told her I really didnt want to sell any of them, and least of all the luger, because I know that pistol alone can net me a grand on its own, but I dont want to sell it. Well she said my Dad had planned on selling it so HE could use the money. I got relaly bent out of shape over it.



Was I worng, I mean they WERE left to me by my grandfater after all, so their mine, right? I should get the decision on what happens to them regardless of where they have been. i couldnt have them with me on Post in DC. I hate getting pissed at my Mom, But this is bothering me this morning. Advise please.

 

[bri]

I guess I don't understand why your brother in law is even involved. If they belong to you what right does he have taking them anywhere? So you think he wants to buy them and is trying to get them appraised so he can screw you by saying this is all they are worth. Family things can get really complicated, but I think, you should find out your dad's reasons for wanting to sell them. Does he really need the money badly or is he just looking to pick up some extra cash. Either way, he should have at least consulted with you first.

 

[Bringmepie]

They're yours. If you don't want to sell them then too bad for them. If however you do decide to sell them, there's no reason to feel bound by the value your brother-in-law had them appraised. If you sell them to a dealer you won't get full market value anyway so even if you sell them to your brother-in-law instead make sure you get fair full market value and not a dealer price from him. Also, make sure you follow whatever your state laws are regarding paperwork for transfer of your weapon ownership, etc.

 

[supraman]

Dude if is a fucking Luger you have every right to get pissed. If your grandfather gave them to YOU they are yours.

 

[Tater]

They're yours. I don't think you were out of line at all (assuming you were calm and didn't go totally ballistic).

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Didn't go ballistic, but it was obvious I was not happy about it. Bri, brother-in-law is interested because he is an avid collector, and my father really doesnt know shit about guns, other then what he carried the few times he was in theater during Vietnam.

 

[agenthehe]

Time to tell the BIL and rents the deal, if they were left to you, they are yours to make the decision on. They are not for sale unless you decide to sell them. Lay the law down IMO!

 

[TSD]

Yep they are yours. Its your decision. My personal opinion on pieces of history like this though, unless its an amount of money that will significantly change your situation in life, you may regret the sale later, because its not just a luger its the one your grandfather got, so selling it then say getting another one later on when you are in a better financial situation just wouldnt be the same because it doesnt have a personal story behind it.

 

[Variable]

Depends on how badly they need money.

 

[MassHavoc]

If they are yours and they know they are yours then move them to a safety deposit box where they can be kept. Tell them if they think about Selling your guns, they better keep one because they'll need it.

 

[Pez68]

They're yours.... so no, you didn't react wrong.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Did I just read that it is okay to sell someone else's property if you really need money? Seriously??

 

[otunj20]

Not a fan of guns in general, but they are yours and therefore, your decision

 

[jaxhawksfan]

Of course they are yours to do whatever you please with. Guns don't have to be "cleaned" to be appraised as you already know. Sounds fishy about the brother-in-law. As far as dad goes, just give him a call and ask him if he needs money that badly. Don't sell the guns though. If you want to get ballpark ideas about what they are going for right now you can see if any are listed on gunbroker.com. If you create an account, you can actually go into closed auctions and see what prices were actually paid, and not just what people are asking.

 

[Variable]

Did I just read that it is okay to sell someone else's property if you really need money? Seriously??

I didn't mean it that way. I don't know the specifics of the situation, I don't know how badly your parents need money. I don't know if they were going to ask you if it was okay to do it before they actually went ahead and sold them. Don't know how close you are to your parents. Depends on a lot of things.

 

[winos5]

As far as antique guns and cleaning don't. Nearly every antique show, pawn show, auction show always bangs on people for cleaning antique weapons. The patina of age is desireable.



They are your property. Only you have final say on sale of it. Tell Dad and BIL to back off. If polite but firm doesn't work be blunt as hell.

 

[howcho]

There must be other options other than selling the guns. I agree with the others that they are your's to do as you please and the BIL has no right to even be touching them. Take his car to a used lot for appraisal and see his reaction.

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Here's the long and short of it, I really don't know that my parents need the money really bad, and I will not ask, as it is, regardless, none of my business. I am not broke, I am not destitute, just this time of year right now is tough, like I said, with the lifestyle modifications i am going through, retired military that absolutely refuses to work for the Gov't or a contractor right now...so huge paycut there, impending divorce....so say my monthly intake has been cut to 2/3 of what it was if not closer to half of what it was....and no people military pay is not cushy and extravegant, most military members have a hard time getting by....they live paycheck to paycheck like the rest of the world does. I am making ends meet, but just barely.



This thread was just a question basically, was it wrong for an adult son to get pissed at his parents for wanting to sell something that belonged to him, wthout his permission. Simply because they have been stored at their house does not give them squatters rights, so to speak. I just put in there the simple facts, these arent regular guns. They are of somewhat historical and definate sentimental value. My dad and I have a very good relationship now, but that has not always been the case....years ago, we could no tbe in the same room longer then 15 minutes without coming to blows, literally. I DO NOT wnat this to happen now, this late in life for him....however I really think it is wrong, extremely wrong to just consider what thye have without checking with me.



Also to clear up something else.....I mis-spoke myself...I did not mean cleaned as in you would clean and shine up a gun. I meant taking it and getting it smithed to make sure it is in working order and safe to fire, IF I should want to. Although I do find my brother-in-law somewhat odd at times, when it comes to guns of any type, the guy knows his shit and will not intentionally **** a weapon up. removing the patena that has built up or is original on it is a good way to completely devalue a gun...I too somewhat know my shit when it comes to weapons.....like several of you I have carried and used various types myself.

 

[Tater]

Did I just read that it is okay to sell someone else's property if you really need money? Seriously??

Yes, redistribution of wealth.

Some people have too many guns and Obama says you MUST give several of them to people without guns.

Ya know, like drug smugglers in Mexico.

 

[supraman]

Yes, redistribution of wealth.

Some people have too many guns and Obama says you MUST give several of them to people without guns.

Ya know, like drug smugglers in Mexico.

Hope and Change the clip?