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Custodian or Owner, vintage guns ?

As I've said elsewhere I regard ownership of fine old vintage firearms as being a custodian. Taking from previous owners. Passing onto the next.

...Some of course are lucky, having family members, ancestors owning the family heirlooms previously.

Original or period or recreation gun case plus accessories is a big plus.

...A really nice idea is to secrete a scroll or history inside the gun somewhere.

...Under the butt plate is the easiest place. Recoil pads make this harder. A neat hole could still be drilled through and a plug to close it maybe? Some other butt trap? But one doesn't want to spoil the looks and original styling. Under the pistol grip cap. But nothing to weaken the stocks.


...What do you think? Have family heirlooms already? Or are creating them? Whether to an actual relative or an unknown "heir".

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You know that's how I feel about Grand Dad's M1910 Mannlicher Schoenauer Take Down Model with original fitted case.

I've long considered that I would only pass it to family members, but as my siblings are now taking me to court over 'sour grapes' as I was appointed trustee of the family estate I am now unsure. They're even upset that I purchased a family cemetery plot. They just want every dollar yet have spent thousands on a lawyer to attack me and want that expense charged to the trust. I'll have to see if any of their offspring develop better character.

I am, indeed, fortunate to have the MS' original fitted case. Label is, however, long gone and monogram (on case lid) is of original owner (G'pa got it second hand circa 1930 at Colombo, Ceylon).

I probably should write a history of the MS and its provenance, roll it up and put it in a DWM531 cartridge case (or two) which could reside in the original receptacles for two 'oh shit rounds' located beneath the trap door butt plate, unless I write really small and put it in the removable grip cap along with the original spare bead.