I Saw Something Tonight that Made Me Ill

DZelenka · 11-05-2009, 12:54 AM

I attended a gun club meeting and when the show and tell session began after the business meeting one of the members was showing some pistols he had brought. I believe his name was Don and he is a serious collector of WWII and earlier pistols. He began his presentation by describing that he kept his pistols in bank safety deposit boxes and that those boxes went underwater during Hurricane Katrina and some boxes had water in them for 8 weeks. The pistols that he brought included a 1920 DWM police luger, a 1939 S42 luger, CZ 38, Browning 1910/22, a couple of Mauser HScs and a Sauer. These were clearly beautiful guns that had been well cared for - true collector pieces. The condition they were in post Katrina was pretty rough. Finish was gone, grips ruined and in some cases significant pitting had occurred. Although he didn't say how many pistols he had, it seemed to be in excess of 100. Handling those few made me sick. I cannot possibly imagine how he feels and hope i never have to. The historical loss was significant.

Dan

klaus 3338 · 11-05-2009, 01:12 AM

Dan, I can feel with you.

jamese · 11-05-2009, 07:13 AM

Sad, very sad......is there any financial recourse on the bank for the loss of value ?

Some how I always thought those bank vaults were air tight...at least thats what were told.
I guess now those of us that live in hurricane zones should check the vaults elevation above sea level.

Jim

suum cuique · 11-05-2009, 01:13 PM

I read an article in the SOF magazine a few month ago about confiscated guns by the local N.O.P.D. during Katrina. (They collected all guns from the citizens in some areas) They storaged the guns unproperly and most of them were destroyed by salty water and huminity now...

MikeP · 11-05-2009, 01:50 PM

I helped my buddy clean up some of his guns that had been underwater for a bit.

There were lots of nasty chemicals and other stuff in that water.

He lived near the refineries.

They were functional, but the finish was ruined on all.

The cops kept everyone out of his area until they had finished looting.

My buddy had an ex-con helping with his property cleanup.
The guy had a nice watch that was part of his share for helping them bust out a jewelry store on a work detail.

New Orleans is quite an interesting place.

11-05-2009, 12:54 AM	#1
DZelenka User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I Saw Something Tonight that Made Me Ill I attended a gun club meeting and when the show and tell session began after the business meeting one of the members was showing some pistols he had brought. I believe his name was Don and he is a serious collector of WWII and earlier pistols. He began his presentation by describing that he kept his pistols in bank safety deposit boxes and that those boxes went underwater during Hurricane Katrina and some boxes had water in them for 8 weeks. The pistols that he brought included a 1920 DWM police luger, a 1939 S42 luger, CZ 38, Browning 1910/22, a couple of Mauser HScs and a Sauer. These were clearly beautiful guns that had been well cared for - true collector pieces. The condition they were in post Katrina was pretty rough. Finish was gone, grips ruined and in some cases significant pitting had occurred. Although he didn't say how many pistols he had, it seemed to be in excess of 100. Handling those few made me sick. I cannot possibly imagine how he feels and hope i never have to. The historical loss was significant. Dan

11-05-2009, 07:13 AM	#3
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Sad, very sad......is there any financial recourse on the bank for the loss of value ? Some how I always thought those bank vaults were air tight...at least thats what were told. I guess now those of us that live in hurricane zones should check the vaults elevation above sea level. Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

11-05-2009, 01:13 PM	#4
suum cuique User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MD / Currently about 9000 klicks east of the Potomac Posts: 497 Thanks: 108 Thanked 47 Times in 35 Posts	Even worse... I read an article in the SOF magazine a few month ago about confiscated guns by the local N.O.P.D. during Katrina. (They collected all guns from the citizens in some areas) They storaged the guns unproperly and most of them were destroyed by salty water and huminity now... __________________ Regards, Andy There's No Place Like Home (Wizard Of Oz)

11-05-2009, 01:12 AM	#2
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 519 Thanks: 0 Thanked 416 Times in 162 Posts	Dan, I can feel with you.

11-05-2009, 01:50 PM	#5
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	I helped my buddy clean up some of his guns that had been underwater for a bit. There were lots of nasty chemicals and other stuff in that water. He lived near the refineries. They were functional, but the finish was ruined on all. The cops kept everyone out of his area until they had finished looting. My buddy had an ex-con helping with his property cleanup. The guy had a nice watch that was part of his share for helping them bust out a jewelry store on a work detail. New Orleans is quite an interesting place.