Do you keep a paper or computer inventory of your firearms and accessories?

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For states that ban/un-ban/re-ban various scary rifles and handguns, it may be useful to have that list of serial numbers and descriptions notarized or digitally timestamped as well.
 
Yup,
Ever since I got a really good digital camera I've taken detailed photos of all my firearms and other high value items. I save them in full resolution on a CD which is updated every time something changes. Every time I download the camera data, each session is stored in a date/time stamped directory and I keep the directory structure intact on the CD. A copy of the CD is stored in our safe deposit box along with printouts of the photos.

I also keep an encrypted running file on my computer that's updated to an encrypted memory stick once a week along with everything needed for insurance purposes in case of any type of disaster.

Wife also keeps an encrypted copy of the mem stick in her purse. It never hurts to be redundant as long as you religiously keep the data updated.

I DO NOT use the "Cloud" or other on-line services to store my data as they are too easily snooped by the Government or really by any good hacker.

If I post a picture of a firearm on this (or any other website) I deliberately don't show the serial number or use a photo editing program to render it unreadable. Just common sense in this day and age.

Jim
 
Agree with the above comments about the usefulness of the digital camera. It costs virtually nothing to photograph every gun, with a second photo of the serial number. I now think it might be a good idea to take a picture of my left hand on the gun. That would show my wedding ring and hopefully establish some measure of proof that I actually possessed the gun. As someone else said, that might make a difference for old single shot shotguns and 22 rifles that were made without serial numbers.

You can just copy the pictures to your computer(s), then take the memory card out of the camera when you're done and store it off-site somewhere. You can't ever have too many backups.
 
Elkins45 said:
Agree with the above comments about the usefulness of the digital camera. It costs virtually nothing to photograph every gun, with a second photo of the serial number. I now think it might be a good idea to take a picture of my left hand on the gun. That would show my wedding ring and hopefully establish some measure of proof that I actually possessed the gun. As someone else said, that might make a difference for old single shot shotguns and 22 rifles that were made without serial numbers.

You can just copy the pictures to your computer(s), then take the memory card out of the camera when you're done and store it off-site somewhere. You can't ever have too many backups.
Click to expand...
That's where saving the picture in full resolution comes into play -- take a picture of each side of the firearm, and the top or bottom as well showing the entire gun. That way, you can enlarge the pix to the point you can read the serial number on the gun while still showing it in it's entirety. Removes all doubt that the serial # is what you say it is for that exact gun. Not infallible as there are too many photo-shop experts out there, but it sure makes it hard for the common insurance agent to dispute a claim!
 
KSCCHTrainer said:
That's where saving the picture in full resolution comes into play -- take a picture of each side of the firearm, and the top or bottom as well showing the entire gun. That way, you can enlarge the pix to the point you can read the serial number on the gun while still showing it in it's entirety. Removes all doubt that the serial # is what you say it is for that exact gun. Not infallible as there are too many photo-shop experts out there, but it sure makes it hard for the common insurance agent to dispute a claim!
Click to expand...
Hmmm....does this imply that maybe we should dust off our FILM cameras and shoot pix on film? That way you would have the original negative, adding a whole order of magnitude of difficulty to fakery.
 
I see no point of using film cameras at this point for documentation purposes. The potential always exists for photoshopping an image or a claim being made as such. In the case of theft and reporting it to law enforcement, you have to certify that the information is correct to the best of your knowledge and the insurance company works on that basis. We keep all kinds of undocumented valuables inside our homes. For example, if you maintain a cash fund at home, there is essentially no documentation that it exists short of your word.

The lists are useful. The level of detail that you go to relative to the list reflects your personal interests in part which goes beyond legal reasons.
 
I keep it on a thumbdrive that I carry with me everywhere and also have several paper copies in various locations. Serial number, discription, extras, pictures. then just a spread sheet with serial number and discription.

Once was broken in to and had several guns stolen (bought safe the next day). I was able to mark out the ones that were not stolen on the spreadsheet and hand it to the detective. He was very impressed and said he wished everone did this. I was luck enough to get all the stolen guns back with in 6 months. Some of them within 3 weeks. He contributed it to the paperwork I had and a tip from one of my daughters friends.
 
Yeah, I maintain an inventory but when it comes to my guns I only care about the guns. I do not care about stuff like ammunition. Beyond guns we keep inventory of my wife's more expensive jewelery and other personal property of value that resides in the RSC.

This topic comes up every now and then and many times good inventory applications have been mentioned. For anyone looking for a good inventory application try a forum search or two.

Ron
 
I keep a updated list of all my guns, past and present, on Excell. The file is kept on no less than 5 computer drives, flash drives, etc.

Other than just to know what I have, I want to have a record in case of a loss, fire, thief, etc.


In 1995, before computers, I had pictures of the guns, still do.
I lost seven guns in a fire. Because of having the pictures the insurance paid off, at replacement cost, no questions asked.

Which makes it a good idea to have a record of your other stuff to, such as reloading equipment, ammo stockpiled, reloading components, gun magazines and spare parts, etc.
The insurance company also paid replacement cost on all this stuff, including 23,000 plus rounds of ammo, just because I had pictures of it.
 
Pics are recommended, because anything made before 1968 was not required to have a serial number. How else can you prove you owned a Winchester .22 rifle made in 1945?
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I agree pictures are a must, but just to clarify only shotguns and 22 rimfires were allowed to have no serial # before '68 and Winchester has always serialized all guns.
Now a Mossberg 22 made in 1945 would be a different story.
 
I have a file with a picture of left and right side, serial #, make and model. I also have a "minimum value" for each item. So that if something happens to me, my heirs can get a reasonable price while selling. I have some general statements on the same file that says "pistol ammo is worth $12-$20/box of 50, .22LR is worth at least $20 per box of 500, magazines are worth a minimum of $25-$20 each, except for my original Colt 1903s!) I have that file in the gun safe and other copies in other places
 
Both on disc and manila file folders.

The handgun is traced on the front of the folder with model number. inventory.jpg
Inside is a print out including pics, copies of recp., any transfer info and a description of the history, condition(IMO), value... ColtGroup52012Mayinfodone.jpg

Actual recp. and info are in a SDB.

I have given copies of the discs to several trusted, knowledgeable people and family members.
These steps are mainly to help my family, should they need to sell them.
 
Folks,

Since my son is an engineer with Apple and has cautioned me, please think before emailing firearm info to anyone including yourself. Others may be watching or saving. Some folks out there have too much time on their hands and very little money, so don't add to their account.

Trust me its happening!
 
I keep a record of all valuables; firearms, jewelry, collectibles, watches, etc. All have been photographed and pictures inserted into Excel spreadsheets. The spreadsheets are backed up to stand-alone disk drives, and constantly backed up on Carbonite.
 
Only a fool doesn't keep track of his assets...

Relying on receipts? Good luck. These get lost, torn, and faded over time.

Spreadsheets are the way to go. Can easily record all pertinent data (make/model/serial/caliber/seller/buyer/date/price/description/notes....).

Email it to yourself and print it off.

Also, pictures are good.
 
Paper copies in an indexed notebook in the safe and an excel spreadsheet with pdf and jpeg attachments saved to my dropbox. C'mon people, CDs and thumb drives are such **old** technology....kind of like the Gen 2 Glock ;)
 
re: Do you keep an paper or computer inventory of your firearms and accessories?

I am a journal user. After working in the federal government, and as a retired journalist, I have my own 'pen and ink books'.

As to firearms, I have my purchase receipts, and in my 'gun books', the necessary information. I have photographs, as well.

I do not rely on electronic records management systems.
 
Journal guy... that's cool. Few do it anymore. I have journals that go back to when I was a kid. That is a pretty long time ago. Fun reading about the stuff that interested you then. Been lazy during the last 10 years with it on the computer. The digital journal was one of the first things I did when I began owning my own computers. Lists of valuables (or assets) regardless of what they are goes hand in hand. What are computers for anyway? Playing games? Getting on line?
 
Yes I have spread sheets made with the make and model of the gun as well as their serial numbers. I have it saved to numerous flash drives in case my computer is stolen.
I also have a picture of every gun I own in the box it came in with me holding the box.
I have the pictures for insurance purposes.
Collectibles Insurance mandates I have a picture of the gun as well as serial numbers in case I have to file a claim.
 
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