When my dad died he was living in N.C. but had a Airstream trailer in a rental slot in Florida. After his death my youngest brother, who lives in Florida, was tasked with selling the Airstream for the family. My father has placed a .22 revolver in a hidden compartment in the Airstream and as far as I know it's still in there hidden from the new owners.
Have you ever lost a gun but not in a boating accident? Or found one?
- Thread starter silicosys4
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MacAR
Member
I've found one gun. It was an old CBC single shot 12 gauge, missing the forearm. Found it rabbit hunting along the railroad tracks one evening, took it home and hacked a forearm out of a piece of hickory and used it as a shop gun for several years before someone decided they wanted to swap me out of it.
Sadly, I lost a very nice 1892 button-mag SRC in 32 WCF, an HH Heiser saddle, and a very good mare when crossing a swollen creek in the national forest. Nearly lost myself as well, but we managed to find the two lost hikers we were hunting.
Mac
Sadly, I lost a very nice 1892 button-mag SRC in 32 WCF, an HH Heiser saddle, and a very good mare when crossing a swollen creek in the national forest. Nearly lost myself as well, but we managed to find the two lost hikers we were hunting.
Mac
Jeff olson
Member
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- 934
I found this Savage 29A leaning against a tree while checking traps with dad when I was a kid. It was in terrible condition. The old man did a fantastic job bringing it back to the condition you see here.
BushMaster-15
member
Nope never been that lucky .
I did do a remodel for an elderly lady about #5 years after the 68 GCA ,only to be offered a 1926 Thompson her husband had owned .
So I called a close Friend who was a dealer and he bought it DIRT CHEAP !. Was standing in his shop some years later when a older Gal walked in with a muzzle loader ,she wanted to sell . Turns out her Grandfather had that Rifle up until his demise and it was passed down from his Grandfather . Was an 1840's Hawken's rifle . Never saw My Friend so excited in his life , as he collected them it was a spectacular Rifle in Excellent condition .
The only Great deal time in MY life was when I was offered a 1956 Chevy # 2 door with Continental kit from the original owner ,it had 14,386 miles on it . She was the neighbor lady to the Thompson owner and sold it to ME for EXACTLY what she bought it new for . Sales owners book and original dealers key chain included . THAT WAS A BARGAIN BUY
I did do a remodel for an elderly lady about #5 years after the 68 GCA ,only to be offered a 1926 Thompson her husband had owned .
So I called a close Friend who was a dealer and he bought it DIRT CHEAP !. Was standing in his shop some years later when a older Gal walked in with a muzzle loader ,she wanted to sell . Turns out her Grandfather had that Rifle up until his demise and it was passed down from his Grandfather . Was an 1840's Hawken's rifle . Never saw My Friend so excited in his life , as he collected them it was a spectacular Rifle in Excellent condition .
The only Great deal time in MY life was when I was offered a 1956 Chevy # 2 door with Continental kit from the original owner ,it had 14,386 miles on it . She was the neighbor lady to the Thompson owner and sold it to ME for EXACTLY what she bought it new for . Sales owners book and original dealers key chain included . THAT WAS A BARGAIN BUY
foxmeadow
Member
Not a lost or found story, but I've a dream segment that has recurred a few times. I'm in the blend of my childhood bedroom and my reloading room, and I can't find my .40 glock anywhere. It wakes me up, at which point I remember that I have never in my life owned a .40 of any make.
To this day, if I find .40 S&W brass on the ground, I huck it off into the brush....
To this day, if I find .40 S&W brass on the ground, I huck it off into the brush....
Archie
Member
I retired in 2010 and moved from Long Beach (next to Lost Angeles) to my home in Hastings, Nebraska. During the process, I had to move all the arms and ammunition I owned as the moving company would/could not do so. So I arranged for a Penske truck. In the meantime I had to stay in a motel and store all the arms and ammunition in a temporary storage place. I was pretty confident in the security.
I was pretty sure I had all the 'stuff' when I loaded up the rental. I was pretty sure I had all the 'stuff' when I unloaded it. Except for one rifle, a Remington .257 Roberts.
It was the only item missing. From around ten rifles, about as many handguns and a couple shotguns. Couldn't have been malefactors as more would have been taken. No sign of tampering on the storage facility. Just the one rifle gone and I cannot figure it out.
I was pretty sure I had all the 'stuff' when I loaded up the rental. I was pretty sure I had all the 'stuff' when I unloaded it. Except for one rifle, a Remington .257 Roberts.
It was the only item missing. From around ten rifles, about as many handguns and a couple shotguns. Couldn't have been malefactors as more would have been taken. No sign of tampering on the storage facility. Just the one rifle gone and I cannot figure it out.
Enfielder
Member
My dad, when going through his divorce, was really paranoid and did some weird stuff. He squirreled away cash, jewelry, and his guns. He had made two flintlock firearms back in the 60’s. One was a PA long rifle and the other was a matching pistol. He couldn’t hide the rifle anywhere so it hung on the wall until he passed and it’s on my wall now.
The pistol disappeared many years before he died and he was convinced that someone had stolen it. He went to every local gun show when they came around and searched for it over and over for years. A few months after he died, my mom got a call from one of dad’s lifelong friends who had the flintlock pistol. I went down and met the guy who told me he found the pistol tucked away in a closet and that my dad had given it to him for safe keeping so my mom wouldn’t get it in the divorce.
I’ve got it now.
My dad had about 10 guns. I got a few of them but the one I really wanted throughout my childhood was his model 94 in .32 Spl. Dad told me that he gave it to that same friend for helping him when he was down and out, but when the friend dropped the flintlock off he had no recollection of the Winchester when I asked him about it.
It was a rusty old heap with a pitted mag tube but it belonged to dad’s and I still want it to this day just to carry it afield.
So yeah. Lost some. Found some.
The pistol disappeared many years before he died and he was convinced that someone had stolen it. He went to every local gun show when they came around and searched for it over and over for years. A few months after he died, my mom got a call from one of dad’s lifelong friends who had the flintlock pistol. I went down and met the guy who told me he found the pistol tucked away in a closet and that my dad had given it to him for safe keeping so my mom wouldn’t get it in the divorce.
I’ve got it now.
My dad had about 10 guns. I got a few of them but the one I really wanted throughout my childhood was his model 94 in .32 Spl. Dad told me that he gave it to that same friend for helping him when he was down and out, but when the friend dropped the flintlock off he had no recollection of the Winchester when I asked him about it.
It was a rusty old heap with a pitted mag tube but it belonged to dad’s and I still want it to this day just to carry it afield.
So yeah. Lost some. Found some.
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Lo-Profile
Member
Have a few guns that were found in abandoned home clean outs. We'd take them to the local PD to get checked if stolen/lost. Never had one that was.
Old Dog
Member
I'd rather not answer as far as the "losing" part, but in the spirit of total honesty... I once "misplaced" a S&W 637 for a few days. I came back from a range visit, the little J-frame was my BUG at the time, so I practiced with it, and I was then cleaning my guns in my garage/workshop. Getting distracted after losing a spring when taking off a grip from an unduly complex European pistol, thought it'd flew away and I'd find it on the garage floor, while looking for the tiny spring I placed the 637 on a crowded lower shelf amongst some gardening stuff. A couple days later, I realized I didn't have the 637, panicked and commenced a house-wide search with negative results. Couple more days, when my brain relaxed a bit, I went into the garage and located the little revolver.
So, lesson learned, I became totally anal about documenting whereabouts of every firearm I own, to the point of making a spreadsheet, with a few safes and lockboxes, as well as a couple spots to stash "ready guns" I work hard to keep track of each piece's whereabouts. Especially with the kids and grandkid coming to visit. As I tell the wife (who routinely can't find her car keys or purse), same place, same time, every day.
As far as finding guns, when my father-in-law passed, I discovered two long guns (an Ithaca 37, Winchester 62) and three handguns (S&W Model 10, Kirikkale .380, Beretta 1934 .32 ACP) on a high top shelf in a closet; my mother in law had been totally unaware of their existence; he had other firearms, but these had just been tucked away (and were all in fabulous condition, all dated back to the early 1950s while the Win 62 was a 3-digit S/N in mint condition).
So, lesson learned, I became totally anal about documenting whereabouts of every firearm I own, to the point of making a spreadsheet, with a few safes and lockboxes, as well as a couple spots to stash "ready guns" I work hard to keep track of each piece's whereabouts. Especially with the kids and grandkid coming to visit. As I tell the wife (who routinely can't find her car keys or purse), same place, same time, every day.
As far as finding guns, when my father-in-law passed, I discovered two long guns (an Ithaca 37, Winchester 62) and three handguns (S&W Model 10, Kirikkale .380, Beretta 1934 .32 ACP) on a high top shelf in a closet; my mother in law had been totally unaware of their existence; he had other firearms, but these had just been tucked away (and were all in fabulous condition, all dated back to the early 1950s while the Win 62 was a 3-digit S/N in mint condition).
desmobob
Member
I never lost or found a gun, but shortly after I moved into my current residence, I bought an Australian SMLE; my first (and only) surplus rifle. A year or so later, I was working in the basement and found a nice bayonet in its sheath on top of the sill plate between floor joists. I did some Internet research on the bayonet and was overjoyed to find that it was for a SMLE! What are the odds?!
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RedlegRick
Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2017
- Messages
- 728
I've only lost one, a cheap .32 derringer I carried when I rode. Had it in one of those equally cheap generic nylon holsters and it wasn't there when I got where I was going. Only cost forty five bucks and some change, so I didn't cry too hard. Filled a report, got the stink eye from the cops because it was loaded, but that was it.
Wasn't me, but an acquaintance at one of my jobs found a 30-'06 rifle leaning against a tree when out hunting near Heber City, Utah. It has been there a while from the condition he reported, filed a report and after thirty days, they let him take it home because no one has reported it missing. It was a Savage 110 with a Redfield scope if I recall. Didn't see it as he found it, he'd had it cleaned up and derustified at a shop. Don't know what happened to it, lost touch with the guy over the years.
Wasn't me, but an acquaintance at one of my jobs found a 30-'06 rifle leaning against a tree when out hunting near Heber City, Utah. It has been there a while from the condition he reported, filed a report and after thirty days, they let him take it home because no one has reported it missing. It was a Savage 110 with a Redfield scope if I recall. Didn't see it as he found it, he'd had it cleaned up and derustified at a shop. Don't know what happened to it, lost touch with the guy over the years.
The Night Rider
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- Feb 16, 2022
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Nope never been that lucky .
I did do a remodel for an elderly lady about #5 years after the 68 GCA ,only to be offered a 1926 Thompson her husband had owned .
So I called a close Friend who was a dealer and he bought it DIRT CHEAP !. Was standing in his shop some years later when a older Gal walked in with a muzzle loader ,she wanted to sell . Turns out her Grandfather had that Rifle up until his demise and it was passed down from his Grandfather . Was an 1840's Hawken's rifle . Never saw My Friend so excited in his life , as he collected them it was a spectacular Rifle in Excellent condition .
The only Great deal time in MY life was when I was offered a 1956 Chevy # 2 door with Continental kit from the original owner ,it had 14,386 miles on it . She was the neighbor lady to the Thompson owner and sold it to ME for EXACTLY what she bought it new for . Sales owners book and original dealers key chain included . THAT WAS A BARGAIN BUY
I had a friend in Pearland Texas who bought a 1957 Bel Air Chevy from the original owner in mint condition in the late 60s shortly after he returned from Vietnam. He still owned it in 1985. I presume, if he's still alive, he still owns it today
Necessary_Nutrient
Member
I was at a range with a friend once and we noticed an old rifle sitting on the rack when we arrived. I advised that we should just leave it there nearing the end of our session, or perhaps call the clubhouse- I suppose the police would have been an option- and leave a message saying that a rifle had been left. His idea was that he should take it home for safekeeping and contact the club and make arrangements with the owner. Fortunately, the owner arrived before we left but if he hadn't, my friend would have left the range with someone else's rifle in his vehicle.
I'm thinking that is a bad idea.
I'm thinking that is a bad idea.
This is a story about 3 guns, one lost, one broken one sold.
When I was in High school a few of us guys went hunting one Saturday morning. About lunch time we got back to the car and decided to go to town for lunch. I took my gun, got in my car, went home for lunch. When I returned 2 of the guys were wound up tighter than an 8 day clock. Larry’s Ithica 37 wasn’t in Dave’s car! Dave’s gun was but Larry’s was missing. We took Larry to get his dad’s pride and joy Spanish .410 double barrel. We headed out where we were last before lunch hoping he had leaned it against the car, took a leak, got in and took off. It was a fairly secluded area where very few people had permission to hunt. No, it wasn’t there anywhere. Since we used to have a lot of out of staters in town for hunting we figured someone saw it sitting in Daves car and just took it along.
We figured since we were out in the field again we might as well load up and hit the field again. Now Larry had his dad’s.410 double, dropped 2 shells in it and just like on TV, gave it
A good hard shake to close the gun. Surprisingly the stock broke off and all he had in his hand was the stock. He really didn’t want to tell his dad what happened that day! Two weeks later we were going hunting and he had a brand new Browning light 12 A5. He said he got his butt chewed but a couple days later his dad showed up with 2 new A5 Brownings, one was his! A couple years later at Thanksgiving, Larry and a cousin were in the garage “playing with” his dad’s Browning 22 auto. For some reason it was loaded, it somehow fired and hit his cousin in the lower heart. Larry’s dad decided to get rid of all the guns. He took one up to the appliance store and traded it in on an entertainment center. That A5 sat in the store front window a long time. One day my dad went up there with the intent of buying it. He asked Tony, the appliance guy, what he wanted for it, $100! Dad lays 4 $20 bills on the counter and when he started to lay the 5th $20 bill down, he stopped, folded it and put it back in his pocket. It got deathly quiet for what seemed like a month. Finally Tony picked up the 4 $20s and handed dad the gun. That A5 is in my eldest son’s safe today. There’s more to the story about how I ended up with a Model 12 and Model 42. Those are in my safe.
I won’t bore you with (The rest of the story).
When I was in High school a few of us guys went hunting one Saturday morning. About lunch time we got back to the car and decided to go to town for lunch. I took my gun, got in my car, went home for lunch. When I returned 2 of the guys were wound up tighter than an 8 day clock. Larry’s Ithica 37 wasn’t in Dave’s car! Dave’s gun was but Larry’s was missing. We took Larry to get his dad’s pride and joy Spanish .410 double barrel. We headed out where we were last before lunch hoping he had leaned it against the car, took a leak, got in and took off. It was a fairly secluded area where very few people had permission to hunt. No, it wasn’t there anywhere. Since we used to have a lot of out of staters in town for hunting we figured someone saw it sitting in Daves car and just took it along.
We figured since we were out in the field again we might as well load up and hit the field again. Now Larry had his dad’s.410 double, dropped 2 shells in it and just like on TV, gave it
A good hard shake to close the gun. Surprisingly the stock broke off and all he had in his hand was the stock. He really didn’t want to tell his dad what happened that day! Two weeks later we were going hunting and he had a brand new Browning light 12 A5. He said he got his butt chewed but a couple days later his dad showed up with 2 new A5 Brownings, one was his! A couple years later at Thanksgiving, Larry and a cousin were in the garage “playing with” his dad’s Browning 22 auto. For some reason it was loaded, it somehow fired and hit his cousin in the lower heart. Larry’s dad decided to get rid of all the guns. He took one up to the appliance store and traded it in on an entertainment center. That A5 sat in the store front window a long time. One day my dad went up there with the intent of buying it. He asked Tony, the appliance guy, what he wanted for it, $100! Dad lays 4 $20 bills on the counter and when he started to lay the 5th $20 bill down, he stopped, folded it and put it back in his pocket. It got deathly quiet for what seemed like a month. Finally Tony picked up the 4 $20s and handed dad the gun. That A5 is in my eldest son’s safe today. There’s more to the story about how I ended up with a Model 12 and Model 42. Those are in my safe.
I won’t bore you with (The rest of the story).
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
I found 2 Beretta 92 mags and a pocket knife on a trail in the woods. Also found a Daisy bb gun at one of the bush shooting spots. Also found some .380 ammo wrapped up in a tissue. Found it while picking up brass. Also found a partial box of 38 specials.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
Went out prowling around the west pasture one spring day with my Nylon 66 as I usually do to check things out.
Came back, fiddled around in my shop for a while, three days later I realized I didn't remember putting it away. Looked and looked for it, even in the shop which was the last place I remembered it.
Did I put it in the car? Unlikely, but looked and no rifle.
Truck? Nope.
Knew it had to be someplace on the property and out of the weather, so I wasn't worried about it too much.
Next fall, started to get cold out, closed the shop door which I habitually left open in summertime and voila! there it was, leaning in the corner hiding behind the usually open door.
Dope slap!
Terry, 230RN
Came back, fiddled around in my shop for a while, three days later I realized I didn't remember putting it away. Looked and looked for it, even in the shop which was the last place I remembered it.
Did I put it in the car? Unlikely, but looked and no rifle.
Truck? Nope.
Knew it had to be someplace on the property and out of the weather, so I wasn't worried about it too much.
Next fall, started to get cold out, closed the shop door which I habitually left open in summertime and voila! there it was, leaning in the corner hiding behind the usually open door.
Dope slap!
Terry, 230RN
Speedo66
Member
Hmm...just thought of an event from about 40 years ago.
I was getting ready to leave my facility to go home, decided to use the toilet before the commute. Put my gun on top of the toilet tank, forgot about it and started home. Got frantic about about half way home when it dawned on me....
Our cleaning staff were mostly ex offenders with a company that had gotten the contract because of that. Found a pay phone, remember those, and called the facility and had someone check. Long, agonizing wait on the phone until I heard "I got it".
Losing a gun or shield back then was 2 weeks pay, second time was dismissal. I was sweating bullets there for a while. lol
I was getting ready to leave my facility to go home, decided to use the toilet before the commute. Put my gun on top of the toilet tank, forgot about it and started home. Got frantic about about half way home when it dawned on me....
Our cleaning staff were mostly ex offenders with a company that had gotten the contract because of that. Found a pay phone, remember those, and called the facility and had someone check. Long, agonizing wait on the phone until I heard "I got it".
Losing a gun or shield back then was 2 weeks pay, second time was dismissal. I was sweating bullets there for a while. lol
Space Ghost
Member
Found one. Several times. Same type each time too. Always some form of M16A2 or M4. Easily understood back in my Drill Sgt days, but the last time...
I was in IRAQ of all places!
So, I get back from a mission, change shower, head over to MWR to e-mail the misses. I sit down at an empty computer, but there's a weapon already there. OK, this should be interesting.
20 minutes later, maybe a half hr, I'm done. right as I'm standing up to walk away (with it in my hands, mine slung) up walks this sheepishly scared looking young troop... expecting me to just hand it over no less... lol.
Sure, "let's go see your section sgt." He starts throwing a fit, and we start drawing attention. "Would you rather we go see your platoon daddy, or 1st sgt?" At least I didn't have to deal with that one.
I was in IRAQ of all places!
So, I get back from a mission, change shower, head over to MWR to e-mail the misses. I sit down at an empty computer, but there's a weapon already there. OK, this should be interesting.
20 minutes later, maybe a half hr, I'm done. right as I'm standing up to walk away (with it in my hands, mine slung) up walks this sheepishly scared looking young troop... expecting me to just hand it over no less... lol.
Sure, "let's go see your section sgt." He starts throwing a fit, and we start drawing attention. "Would you rather we go see your platoon daddy, or 1st sgt?" At least I didn't have to deal with that one.
Scrapiron45
Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2018
- Messages
- 165
Two stories.
A few years ago a friend demolishing an old house found a Springfield musket wrapped in oilcloth hidden in a wall. Family wasn't interested, I ended up with it. Evidently it was common around here for people to hide their rifles after the civil war since they were under martial law by union troops for several years.
We have a powder horn, dated pre revolutionary war , that's a family heirloom. The family member that was looking after it developed dymensia and couldn't remember where he'd stored it. After he passed it was found intact, in a closet. Of course I was glad to find it but it saddens me that he died thinking he'd lost it.
A few years ago a friend demolishing an old house found a Springfield musket wrapped in oilcloth hidden in a wall. Family wasn't interested, I ended up with it. Evidently it was common around here for people to hide their rifles after the civil war since they were under martial law by union troops for several years.
We have a powder horn, dated pre revolutionary war , that's a family heirloom. The family member that was looking after it developed dymensia and couldn't remember where he'd stored it. After he passed it was found intact, in a closet. Of course I was glad to find it but it saddens me that he died thinking he'd lost it.
Same gun.
I moved out of my parents' house in 1980. Sometime around 2000 mom called me and told me she found a 22 rifle in the back of the closet in my old room. I found out it was lost and found on the same day. I have no clue where that rifle came from, but I still have it. It is a cheap single shot. I'm waiting on a gun buyback program to get something for it.
I moved out of my parents' house in 1980. Sometime around 2000 mom called me and told me she found a 22 rifle in the back of the closet in my old room. I found out it was lost and found on the same day. I have no clue where that rifle came from, but I still have it. It is a cheap single shot. I'm waiting on a gun buyback program to get something for it.
Basura Blanca
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2004
- Messages
- 377
Found a barreled action of some unidentifiable rifle, not the crotch of a tree, but instead a hedge that bordered a house my buddy was renting circa 1980s. This was near the beach so the rust was thick. No amount of naval jelly could descale the thing.
Spent cases and UXO is more common around here though since San Diego is and always has been home to a huge military presence. Big swathes of former bombing ranges were built over with housing. There are warning signs all over local hiking trails too.
Ignition Override
Member
I've wondered how many of those hidden deep inside houses were there to be hidden from a wife (or a mother, or father), and the guy then slowly forgot where he hid it, or suddenly died.
At least a few % must have been owned by convicted felons, or law-abiding youngsters less than the legal age.
My late mother-in-law was always suspicious of the staff at the huge, excellent San Antonio retirement complex known as the " A.R.C " (Army Residence Community), a few miles west of Randolph AFB, easily visible on the crest of the next gradual upslope.
Judy gradually lost jewelry as she hid more and more items " from herself ".
At least a few % must have been owned by convicted felons, or law-abiding youngsters less than the legal age.
My late mother-in-law was always suspicious of the staff at the huge, excellent San Antonio retirement complex known as the " A.R.C " (Army Residence Community), a few miles west of Randolph AFB, easily visible on the crest of the next gradual upslope.
Judy gradually lost jewelry as she hid more and more items " from herself ".
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JR24
Member
No
lightman
Member
All of these post about finding guns while doing construction work remind me of a find that I made and had forgotten about. I was rewiring an older home once. The elderly lady took a weeks vacation as she didn't want to be there with all of the noise and dust. While I was in the attic I found a S&W 38-44 Heavy Duty handgun. I took it home and gave it a good cleaning. After she got home I went by to get paid and gave the gun back to her. I hinted that I wanted it and offered to buy it. She wanted to keep it and I have no idea of its fate.
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