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Custodian or Owner, vintage guns ?

As I've said elsewhere I regard ownership 9f fine old vintage firearms as being a custodian. Taking from previous owners. Passing onto the next.

Original gunmaker details, register page copies, daybook page copies, would be wonderful to have with the gun. Who the commissioning buyer was the first buyer was. A Maharajah? Military officer? Colonial Official? Ordinary but obviously keen hunter? Where they might have used it? Obviously if somewhat famous or otherwise recorded in history is a plus to know more. 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. But I've known some gunshoos to separate the gun case from the gun to increase their bastardly profits. I'd like my Westley Richards and Jeffery doubles to have suitable leather and canvas covered guncases. The can be inscribed with my initials.

Maybe a gold butt medallion (what are they called? Ecrustion? ) with initials or my Nitro Express "coat of arms" as well. A period reprinted gunmaker label inside the gun case.

A really nice idea is to secrete a scroll or history inside the gun somewhere. I found my Grandfather's gun licence rolled up inside a small cylindrical hole drilled in the butt under the buttplate.

Inside such today could be a small copy of gunmakers records. Page(s) about yourself, your exploits, previous owners. Not as cool but could contain immense records, a USB stick drive! Some future owner might have to search for antique computing devices to read it in a hundred years time!

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.

Damaging original vintage firearms? Some have already been restocked, new recoil pads etc. They are using guns, not museum pieces. Nothing to destroy vintage status of course.

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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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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