Luger Dilemma~
 

What to do with your lugers, leather and books if you died today1 When I became a member over 20 years ago I had one luger an a few books`It has grown ten fold! Thats a good thing except what happens when you are no longer. First I would make a will granting and specific which luger heirloom goes to whom or make it known. It reminds me of 2 sisters spending hours court and legal costs over a hundred dollar hummel figure. We settled it, unknown to them by buying a duplicate and each thought she won! The problem is when 2 heirs and both want the good stuff or most rare valuable luger! If there is one item be specific and understood who gets it or present duel owner! What if Debby is no longer! Direct them to be consigned not an auction fire sale! just think abut it! Or sell them on your own terms Eric

In our family this has been discussed. Certain objects go to the people whom it means the most. That is the easy part. The middle stuff is offered for sale. You want it you buy it with your inheritance or personal money. Someone else wants it then they bid. It keeps the rest of the group happy because that one person did not run off with everything.

The first vulture gets the soft eyeballs. The first person to arrive at the body gets what they can steal. Last example for me was sheriffs deputies stealing guns. Took em to "secure" them. Then, various thieves show up as time goes on. Sometimes relatives, sometimes neighbors or "friends" Then the lawyers..Death changes EVERYTHING and it can be a free for all. Took threats from a lawyer to get the "secured" guns back. Missing wallets and other valuables are common. Anything that can be easily pocketed. Old people are often without immediate advocates and are open to robbery by the many vultures that land. could be medical, police..they are usually second on scene after the discoverer. Death changes EVERYTHING and it can be a free for all.I know, seen it many times in my neck of the woods.

My collection began with the Luger i inherited from my father. I have always been fascinated by the pistol. It's particularly special because he got it from his father, who brought it back from WW-II. That one stays in the family and I've already named a heir in my own Will.

I avoided collecting anything of value until I retired and stopped moving around the country for my career. Now I have the time and space to assemble the collections I have always been most curious about.


In the meantime, I have inherited more guns from other relatives. I carefully documented each of them with photos and a Gun Log book I keep. When my collection started to grow in value, I had the entire collection appraised and then I insured them. I also have arrangements with fellow gun collectors to take possession of their guns, should they reach a point in their lives where they can no longer enjoy them. And, visa versa.

I keep log books for everything including my gun collection. It has notes from my research, references, and current photos. My computer makes it easier to update and organize my files.

I intend to pass on my collection to one heir who is knowledgeable and educated enough to appreciate the guns and the reference books. I would hate to see my collection go to an auction, so I have listed several reputable gun dealers who would sell them on consignment or return them if they did not sell promptly. But, my preference would be to list them on this forum first. It's not hard and I have already prepared the photos and short descriptions for just that purpose.

As I get older, it is on my mind more often.

Thanks for sharing Eric.

wife , two daughters + grandson , let them pick what they want + put it in will - started parting with rest last year + if not all gone when i go left instructions on disposal of rest so no one will get a $6.00 dollar PO8 at estate sale - hard letting go of some things acquired almost 7 decades ago -

I've made a few 'pacts' of helping a friend or two. I did help two friends with thinning the herd.
If smart, you sell off all the middle things ahead of time, but that is very hard to do.
Best thing is to have a document that states in writing and is attached / part of your will. Which I haven't done.
I started actually collecting in 2000 - I had a luger or two before that and some other guns, but not what I considered a specific collection.
I know what I need to do, have an excel with guns on it. But nothing to a specific person - so if I get in a car wreck or fall over dead, it would probably be a case of all my stuff just sitting for a few years.

My collection has survived 3 wives,and a stoke. Each one is special to me! As long as I have Debby and my remaining lugers I'm happy. Debby bought me our carbine. Its better than a piece of jewelry. I will worry about it later, I hope a lot of laters!! I hold them or research one or more every day to feel alive`Best our friend I cherish`Thank You all~~~~

Sherlock investigates the "missing" will! i KNOW he left a will..I seen it! But it seems to be missing...The plans of mice & men.

ED they survived over a century! They will survive another Hundred`We are mere care takers for now`

But the 2nd mouse gets the cheese. :thumbup:

If there is any left!!!!

Man do I hear that !!! ... seems that I think about this every day now.

My situation is further complicated by the fact that nearly all of my remaining friends have passed away or are too ill to take my collection on. My remaining family is undeserving and would sell them on to the 1st person to put $5 in their hand.

So what do you do ?? Right now I don't know and this is whats driving me to drink ... Ahhhh- that scotch is sooo good.

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Maybe we need to get together and create or find a Luger Pistol museum where we can donate our collections.

An older, wiser friend once told me,"Be givin' while you're livin', so you're knowin' where it's goin". Sage advice. Solves many "estate problems". No use keeping this stuff till we are dead. To die rich doesn't do us any good. You can't take it with you. Never saw a U-Haul following a hearse.

No one ever "gave" me a fine collectable Navy or Artillery. I sacrificed vacation money to buy what I have. So I VALUE it. In old age I have found that most people who are relatives or know you don't care enough to send you a birthday card once a year. Most phone calls these days are free..yet you don't get anymore calls than when you paid .25 cents a minute.

I figure if this is most I have t worry about, Life Is Good!