What makes a Firearm have Sentimental Value?

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A hand-me-down from a close relative can do it. So can a first purchase. I still have the first pistol I ever bought -- a Ruger Bearcat, from a long, long time ago -- and would never consider getting rid of it. Sentimental value doesn't even begin to describe it.
 
My Maternal Grandfather, Chris. If you have had the pleasure of knowing him during his stay here on planet Earth, you will understand.
 
The gun I'm most sentimental about is my late husband's S&W 10-5 that he bought brand new and used as his off-duty weapon when he was a LEO in the 70s. When he died, it went to my son. When I became interested in guns, my son passed it up to me. Eventually it'll be passed down to my son again. He has indicated that he's not likely to get rid of it, either.
 
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My Ruger M77 is very important to me. Dad had it before I was born, looked at that gun everyday in the gun cabinet. When dad passed away, I got it... and will never part with it.
 
I have a Savage 99 that was a gift from my father. I also have two handguns that he used during his nearly 50 years in LE. These have intense sentimental value to me, in addition to all being very high quality firearms. I also have a big pile of guns that I've purchased for myself over the years. Many haven't been shot beyond being test fired when they still held the attraction of novelty for me. None have any sentimental value at all, though all are high quality weapons.
Upthread there was mention of not being a slave to a collection. At one time, I had a huge knife collection amassed over a period of years. Significant money was tied up in it. Knife collecting being what it is, none of them ever got used and most of them didn't even get looked at once in a year. A couple years ago I sold almost all of them. I no longer buy anything "for the collection." It is for actual (hard) use or it isn't bought.
I use the guns dad gave me. One is my daily carry piece. The sentimental value is actually just a bonus. I expect that in the near future all the other ones will be liquidated. They represent money that could be doing something besides taking up space in my house.
 
The guns I had when I was a boy. I did lots of shooting. We lived out where there wasnt much else to do. Eventhough most of them are not high value guns, it would take a lot for me to sell them. I now have a new rifle which I hope to teach my kids to shoot on.....hopefully that will be another keeper! :D

My Dad has my Grandfathers .30-06 That I would love to aquire some day. I keep pointing out that I have the oldest boy heir.
 
Mrs. JDD's 1908 S&W was handed down via the 'oldest child' route from her great-grandfather. Not sentimental about 'stuff', but she is about this revolver.

Now I have to get her another revolver for defense. Due to some events in the state, she is concerned about losing the gun into the depths of the justice systems should she defend herself with it.
 
Depends on how one recieved the piece. I have a Stevens Crackshot .22 from my Dad's dad that he gave me the weekend he died. It was used in a slaughter house, and lacked a front sight. He remedied that by melting a sliver of penny onto the barrel. I would not take $1mm for it.

My mom's dad always told me that when he passed, I was to demand the Stevens 87 auto that I had used since I was 9. He died when I was 33; I reminded my grandmother of his desire & still I had to threaten & dog trade with my cousin to walk out with it. He got the model 700 .243 & Savage .410. They had no value for me; most would have thought trading those for the .22 would be the worst trade imaginable, but I would have given whatever necessary. My grandfather taught me to hunt & shoot with that .22. I skinned my first rabbit with him guiding the way, shot with that .22. Both are highly valued from a sentimental standpoint & fully retired now. I would still shoot them, but they are both completely worn out from 10's of thousands of rounds downrange.
 
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I don't have many guns that were passed down or what have you. I do have a few that were tough. They have meaning to me because of who gave them to me. I'll never give them up.

The one and only modern gun that I can't get rid of is a Sig P232SL. My father gave it to me when I turned 21 and got my carry license. It was his birthday present to me as my first carry gun.
I haven't carried that gun in abut 2 years now (for ccw purposes I have other guns that are the same size or smaller, and pack a larger/more powerful caliber), but I can't get rid of that one.
 
My very good friend James Daemon took his own life and left me his gun collection two years ago.
Custom Browning Cynergy, Browning A Bolt, Taurus .45ACP long barreled revolver and a Mateba Griffone in .454 Casull.
They take pride of place alongside my own collection and are used as they should be.
 
I would NEVER sell a gun that was handed down to me or given to me as a gift. The hand me downs are heirlooms; it was decided by the person who gave them to me that they are to stay in the family, and I'm obliged to honor their wishes. The gifts are gifts, and again, not to be sold or used to profit. If you're not into shooting them, either oil them up and pack them away, or pass them along as a gift to a family member or friend - don't sell them.

Imagine how you would feel if you passed on a treasured gun to your kids, expecting it to be passed on for generations, and they turned around and sold.
 
Most "sentimental" one I've got is 22 Glenfield/Marlin semiauto carbine purchased at White's Auto store 45 years ago for $39.95. Money made rolling newspapers and throwing route from bicycle 5 evenings a week, plus before sunrise every Sunday. Untold numbers of rats, jack rabbits, prarie dogs and crows taken with that thing. :D
 
TD im sure it was and i use it now and make sure my kids are protected also when they shoot. I didnt know anything then like I do now,and my pawpaw probly really didnt even think about it. However I would never trade the memory in that picture for anything,eye and ear protection or not. I will let my pawpaw slide on that one.;)
 
Good Topic

Honestly, I can't give you a "correct" answer~! :eek:

"Sentimental Value" means different things, too different folk's. For
example, I own a 2" barrel Smith & Wesson model 30-1 in .32 S&W
Long caliber that was my deceased dads carry piece. He stated
that he remembered when the .32 S&W Long was an "ideal police
caliber"-many, many, moons ago. So, its sentimental to be 'cuz it
was his~! ;)

OTOH, a few year's ago I traded for a 2nd generation 2" barrel,
factory nickel COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL. The person I traded
with, is a very close and dear friend; and the firearm is in just
immaculate condition (without the opriginal box or paperwork),
and reportedly has only been test fired (by him, for a total of
6 shots-just to make sure it worked). There IS NOT enough
gold in Fort Knox that would intice me too trade this crown
jewel off. Its born on date was sometime in 1971, and my
friend purchased it while working in a hardware store back
home in north Alabama. I think, he said it cost him $97.50
back thenl but I could be mistaken~? The trade = I had to
buy him a NIB Smith & Wesson model 642; but he threw in
a $60 (all leather) Bianchi black leather holster~! :D ;)

PS; I'm as happy as a PIG in a MUD PUDDLE~! Sentimental-
you bet'cha~!

Lastly, my very ill friend The Silent One sent me free
of charge a US Springfield G.I. parkerized 5" .45 ACP. Tho'
we have never met face too face, I consider this fine ex-
Marine too be my brother that I never had. (I can't and
won't go into any other details of what all this fine man
and his lovely wife have done for me/or my family); but I will tell
you this- I could never, ever repay him.

PS: He is the gentleman that I recently posted about, asking
our membership to pray too GOD, and ask that his health be
restored. Sentimental- very much so, and I feel blessed to
have met him here on The High Road.org.
 
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My family was never really into guns, but the gun that holds the most sentimental value for me is my CETME. First rifle I purchased on my own, and it'll never leave me.
 
I have sold three guns that were handed down to me, and there's another I'll never sell.

The difference? The three I sold were new in box (old, but new, never fired) and had been kept in a closet for years. Two black powder muzzleloaders and a Winchester Model 94 commemorative.

The one I will never sell is a S&W .38spl that my grandfather actually used and shot. That, to me, makes is his gun. I never knew him, but it's incredibly awesome that I can know his gun.

It's just a shame that his 1911 from WWII along with all his other rifles and shotguns were given to my uncle. He struggled with depression all his life and ultimately committed suicide with a gun (not sure which one) but I think after that, his sons sold them all. I would pay a king's ransom for his 1911.
 
I don't let myself have any more guns than I am old (another rule I made up to control numbers).
Click to expand...

An idea you may want to consider: Move all sentimental, heirloom or gifted guns to a separate safe. Now, these don't "count" and you can apply your age policy to the second safe and acquire more guns. Sounds perfect to me! :)
 
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