[Edward Tinker]

I can give you my advice, which is as good as anybody's and what I have seen the last 10 years (when I really started collecting after getting guidance)

Worst case;
Folks wait too long to sell, then they might die or start to feel unsure of themselves (Alzheimer's or the like) and then the collection is left to 'friends' (who sometimes turn out not to be very nice to the widow) or to the widow doing her best

Middle case;
Folks sell one or two and then a close friend helps sell off after they die

Best case;
Folks start selling off 'certain' pieces and slowly get down to those that are meaningful (its what I hope to do), they keep a couple so they still feel in the collecting community and then give them in their will to family or friends

Ways to do above, IMHO

1. Sell via gunbroker, not a bad way, but you have to deal with all the blah, blah and pay amounts
2. Sell on the forums, not a bad way, but still have to deal with shipping etc
3. Sell via a auction or company, pay them a commission

Personally I don't mind #1 and #2 but I feel fine selling this way, some don't want to deal with it

#3 is not bad and there are several private guys out there who would either buy your collection (expect 50-70% offer of what its worth). Sounds worse than it is, but consider that a bulk buy, they will be interested in say 15 of your 35 guns and they have to move that other 20 guns via gunbroker or gun shows.

An auction is not bad but you'll pay x number of dollars and if items don't sell, you are paying shipping both ways

Ed