inherit it or sell it

[Highwall]

My IHMSA. SASS shooting and my good hunting days are purdy much behind me now and I am wondering if I should have my only grandson inherit my coveted Highwall or sell it.

At age 9 he seems to have little interest in hunting or target shooting compared to me at the same age back in the day. At that age I was walking the creeks to hunt and harvest squrrels and rabbits for roasting our next meals.

He said his passion is Fortnight, what ever that is.

I had always hoped of passing the 1885 on down and keeping it in the family and maybe displayed over a future home fireplace, but after having two daughters and now son-in-laws, things just don't look the same for following the family tradition. 

 

 

 

[El Sobrante Kid]

Personally, I would rather sell it to someone who will love it forever, rather than leave it to a relative that has no interest in it and would likely sell it to just about anyone, for just about any price, just to be rid of it. I do not know your financial situation but here is another possibility. Find someone who loves those guns just as much as you do, but will probably not be able to afford one in the near future (if ever)... and give them the gun. GL!

Ohhhhh... Fortnight is a video game.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

IHMSA?

Sad situation, but sounds like selling the gun makes sense.   Have you asked your grandson if he is interested?

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

6 hours ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

IHMSA?

Believe that is International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association 

Edited August 3 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Rye Miles #13621]

If your grandson is not interested and you will it to him, it sounds like he may just sell it when you’re gone! I’d sell it now and do something YOU ENJOY with that money!

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I kinda have the same issue .

I have my Original 1977 FLHS Harley Davidson Motorcycle. 

Only 535 was made that first year .

I have kept it as Original as possible over the years .

I have always said it will go to my first born Grandson. 

Unfortunately he has virtually no interest in it.

So do I sell it myself or pick one of the other Grandsons. 

If I pick one of the other Grandsons .

How do I began fair to all the others ?

So IMHO I give it to my First Grandsons or I sell it .

    ( there is only one first )

So im thinking I should just sell it .

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

18 minutes ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

I kinda have the same issue .

I have my Original 1977 FLHS Harley Davidson Motorcycle. 

Only 535 was made that first year .

I have kept it as Original as possible over the years .

I have always said it will go to my first born Grandson. 

Unfortunately he has virtually no interest in it.

So do I sell it myself or pick one of the other Grandsons. 

If I pick one of the other Grandsons .

How do I began fair to all the others ?

So IMHO I give it to my First Grandsons or I sell it .

    ( there is only one first )

So im thinking I should just sell it .

 

Sell it! 

Edited August 3 by Rye Miles #13621

[Cholla]

Sell it now. I have a friend who owns a gun store, and he tells me story after story about someone who inherited a firearm that was special to the deceased, but the young person wants to trade it for the latest wizz-bang plastic hotness.

[Silver Creek Jack]

Yep sell it.

[Rye Miles #13621]

My two sons and a granddaughter and grandson are not interested in any guns I have, my sons have guns but they’re not into CAS. They own a couple firearms for self defense and shoot occasionally at the range. My granddaughter and grandson are not interested in the least. My guns are all going to my sons and whatever they want to do with them is their business. I don’t have any safe queens and I’m not a collector. I shoot all the guns I have.

[Sheriff Dill]

2 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

My two sons and a granddaughter and grandson are not interested in any guns I have, my sons have guns but they’re not into CAS. They own a couple firearms for self defense and shoot occasionally at the range. My granddaughter and grandson are not interested in the least. My guns are all going to my sons and whatever they want to do with them is their business. I don’t have any safe queens and I’m not a collector. I shoot all the guns I have.

That’s how it is here at our house too. One of our boys I shoot CAS with so he will use the those guns and the oldest boy has his own guns and we all shoot all of the guns I own. Our oldest daughter has no interest in guns so I doubt she would want them. So mine will go to the boys more than likely. Pray to the Lord that I have a long time left and don’t need to worry about that anytime soon. 

[Gillbilly Greg]

That's a nice Shovel. 🤩

Love the old iron. 

[Deacon Henry, SASS #53503L]

Highwall and Rooster sell to interested parties that have the same passion, especially if they are purists and keep your treasure as is. Spend or divide the money in your will. 

 

Rooster that is a good looking scooter!!! I’m too old to ride but it’s hard to part with something you have had for years. 
You fire that up and that sound puts a big grin on you face!!

 

Vest regards cowboys!🤠

[Cholla]

The hard, cold reality is you can't expect your kin to love and cherish the things you do. My father spent a lifetime collecting things that may have value someday. (He grew up in the Great Depression.) When he passed, I kept a few things, and in the last decade I have thinned those things even more. Children have different lives, different experiences, different treasures. I am under no disillusion that my daughter and her family would treasure what I do beyond the cash value so that she/they could buy the things she wants. 

 

 

[Springfield Slim SASS #24733]

My Dad didn't leave us all his toys, just some of the ones that were sorta family heirlooms, like his antique machinists chest with tools that he had used all his life' plus some things he just gave to us while he was still here(to hold for him). He always told us, get your own toys that matter to you, you don't need all my stuff. He wasn't entirely wrong.  

[Dantankerous]

Sell it and enjoy the money and more important enjoy that the gun goes to someone who will appreciate it. 

[John Kloehr]

I have some items specified to certain people, not all family. These are items I know will be valued by the recipients. Some have monetary value. There is no "balancing" or "fairness" in any of these considerations, it is simply my will. Any percentage divisions of the residual estate is both after and separate from these items.

[Lawdog]

Money changes people.

Witnessed it firsthand in my family and with friend's families.

Neighbor down the road had a grandma that hit a nice score with stocks and real estate.

She put it into a trust. First words on the trust were, "This was not designed to be fair."

And anyone who challenged the trust was to receive $10 and forfeit all interest in the trust.

 

Not everyone is going to appreciate your stuff, guns, knives, paintings, etc, the same degree that you do.

The ones that do, make those arrangements now.

Other items I would sell so that we can enjoy life now.

You are not guaranteed tomorrow, so live in the present the best you can.

[Bison Bud]

Yeah, I'm pretty much in the same place and have already started selling off some of my hoard.  I do have two nephews that have some interest in firearms,  although mainly in semi-autos, etc.  In any case, I have already given them some of my better pieces with the notation that they are to be kept in the family and not sold.  I guess only time will tell that tale and I'm sure that I won't be around to even know about it if and when they do sell.  Anyway, as most have already mentioned almost all of today's young folks would just as soon have the cash then some old gun that you actually cared about.  Sad, but true!  Good luck and good shooting to all.   

[Eliphalet R. Moderator]

My hobbies and passions are my own, and I don't expect my son of grand daughters to appreciate them.

The vintage truck I'm restoring, my son thinks should be hauled off to the junk yard.

Gold and Silver coins would get sold.  Any other types of coins, who knows how they'd get rid of them, probably haul them to the bank.

My huge collection of CAS guns, they have no interest whatsoever.

The beautiful Western hat collection, clothes and all that... Salvation Army or Garbage.

What are they going to do with plus size gun rigs and such?

 

I figure there's a few good years left in me, (but we're never promised).  Then there's going to be a big sale on the Classified Wire before I burden the kids with disposing of all of it!

[Diamond Jake]

I have one son, three daughters, and five grandchildren.  At one time I had a rifle for each of my grandchildren, but at this time the only one that shows any interest in my guns is my son's oldest daughter.

 

So in my will I'm leaving "my gun collection" to my son; he knows the value of each firearm.  I told him to first distribute them to any of my descendants who want one, then sell the rest and add the money to the assets to be distributed.

 

By simply saying "gun collection" I'm able to sell any myself, but I'll probably only do that if I need the money.

 

If I have any money left when I die, it will be from poor financial planning.

[Texas Maverick]

4 hours ago, Cholla said:

The hard, cold reality is you can't expect your kin to love and cherish the things you do. My father spent a lifetime collecting things that may have value someday. (He grew up in the Great Depression.) When he passed, I kept a few things, and in the last decade I have thinned those things even more. Children have different lives, different experiences, different treasures. I am under no disillusion that my daughter and her family would treasure what I do beyond the cash value so that she/they could buy the things she wants. 

 

 

Yep, I inherited my parents 50th wedding anniversary china settings and they are still in the same box that we received them in over 10 years ago. Nice china but nothing my wife or I are interested in. Even tried to pawn them off to either of my two brothers and sister and they didn't want the stuff either. 

 

TM

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

I know your pain. I have two grandsons that I started assemblying CAS guns and equipment for soon after they were born. My hope was to shoot CAS together with them. They are 15 and 13 now and although they like to go to the range once or twice a year with me they are not interested in CAS. Fortunately I can shoot the guns now and then at a match, but I sure wish they'd be there shooting with me.

[Cholla]

2 hours ago, High Spade Mikey Wilson said:

I know your pain. I have two grandsons that I started assemblying CAS guns and equipment for soon after they were born. My hope was to shoot CAS together with them. They are 15 and 13 now and although they like to go to the range once or twice a year with me they are not interested in CAS. Fortunately I can shoot the guns now and then at a match, but I sure wish they'd be there shooting with me.

I am with you. My daughter shot with me once. My SIL a few times. They have two boys (toddlers). Now, they moved 2200 miles away, so everything I was saving has been or will be sold.

[joachim slim]

I am thinking of selling a lot of my guns, knives, turkey calls and other stuff. I was hoping my kids and some grandkids would be interested in Pawpaw's items but they aren't. I have a lot of items that are valuable and worth a lot more than I have paid over the years. I am 68 and maybe I will have a huge yard sale this spring.

 

Edited August 3 by joachim slim

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

15 hours ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Believe that is International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association 

did that for 22 years. Cowboy has already lasted longer.  

[Rip Snorter]

4 hours ago, joachim slim said:

I am thinking of selling a lot of my guns, knives, turkey calls and other stuff. I was hoping my kids and some grandkids would be interested in Pawpaw's items but they aren't. I have a lot of items that are valuable and worth a lot more than I have paid over the years. I am 68 and maybe I will have a huge yard sale this spring.

 

Got to "Cut your own trail" as a good friend says.  A bit older, but still pick up something once in a while, as you know! Some fine transactions.

[Cholla]

5 hours ago, joachim slim said:

I am thinking of selling a lot of my guns, knives, turkey calls and other stuff. I was hoping my kids and some grandkids would be interested in Pawpaw's items but they aren't. I have a lot of items that are valuable and worth a lot more than I have paid over the years. I am 68 and maybe I will have a huge yard sale this spring.

 

When you said yard sale, I had to look at where you live... Missouri is a tad too far to drive.

[watab kid]

i have talked to my children , they know my wishes but they alsao know whats mine is mine till im dead , ill do as i please till then , if there is something they want they can have it - now or later , ive got on;ly a couple ill wish to hold till im gone the others they can have any time they feel the need 

[Apache Gunsmoke Dan]

Fortnite is a child-centered video game with lots of guns and shooting, but it's very cartoonish. However, I'm assuming he's of that age demographic, he's going to grow up eventually, and he'll probably still enjoy shooter games, and his taste of "fun and toys" will evolve too. Odds are, if he finds out "dad has granpas old hunting rifle and left it with this really endearing note asking to become proficient in it and keep it in the family" he's going to honor that and it will be a great source of connection to you even after you pass on. Sure you could make some stranger's day, but if your desire is truly to keep it in the family, I've heard from a lot of teenage-young 20s friends that they love the idea of inheriting cool antique firearms and keeping that tradition going. Especially if its in a caliber you can't just buy off the shelf, it forces them to do a little research and maybe even get into hand loading or finding someone who does.

[Waimea]

From the time I was 8 years old whenever we went to my Grandparents house I would fawn over my Grampa's guns. Two were favorites: the Iver Johnson he carried as a part-time Sheriff's Deputy and a Sauer and Sons Drilling made in Prussia.

He called the drilling his 3 barreled gun.

He would get each out in its time and tell me stories about them.

Of course I was totally transfixed. I loved my Grandfather and thought the sun and moon rose and set on him. I was also so fortunate because I had gotten to know him as an adult. I was 35 when he died and I was devastated. After his funeral my Grandma took me aside and told me that Grampa wanted me to have the drilling and the IJ. 

 

I still have both with no prospects in the family to pass them down to.

 

It's definitely a thought provoking question.

 

[Savvy Jack]

On 8/3/2026 at 7:45 AM, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

I kinda have the same issue .

I have my Original 1977 FLHS Harley Davidson Motorcycle. 

Only 535 was made that first year .

I have kept it as Original as possible over the years .

I have always said it will go to my first born Grandson. 

Unfortunately he has virtually no interest in it.

So do I sell it myself or pick one of the other Grandsons. 

If I pick one of the other Grandsons .

How do I began fair to all the others ?

So IMHO I give it to my First Grandsons or I sell it .

    ( there is only one first )

So im thinking I should just sell it .

 

 

I just acquired my uncle's 1973 FLH back in December from his estate sale. He passed during 2021, and my cousin passed early 2025. My aunt passed sever months later so his estate went to her family. Luckily for me her family called my dad (83) and asked if he wanted it...he said yes (for me). My uncle got the bike in 1980 and I used to ride it frequently in 1988. I am a sentimental fool, and was ecstatic of the news. The bike had not run since 2009. Took me some work but it is safe and secure...runs great now!

 

 

As far as the OP's post. yes....sell it if the family has no interest!!!  I have family heirlooms from nearly every one of my older family members. Each piece I have has a story, not just a junk collection.

 

 

Edited August 4 by Savvy Jack

[Cusz M. Dutch SASS Life 55326]

At 9, I still thought girls had cooties for a 5 grader told me that back when I was in 2 grade.  

Boy did my taste change in a few short years!

Just wait would be my thoughts...

[Dusty Morningwood]

Life is short. Sell and enjoy yourself. 

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

I'm getting to the point where I'll want to determine what to do with my guns. My SIL's and grandkids are so busy right now they haven't shown a great amount of interest. They'll get a couple at least but that could change soon. I do have one or two buddies I might give one to.

 

Many of my guns are set up for competition. We know that the average guy looking at buying a gun won't pay for those upgrades.

I bought a CZ SP01 Shadow a couple of years ago that was all upgraded from Cajun Gunworks. I didn't have to wait on a wait list to get it customized. It was good to go. He got a good price and I did too but without the wait.