Stolen antique handgun for sale. (Opinion)

[heronblu]

I realize that it's probably too late for this now but I write the serial number of all my firearms down as well as emailing them to myself, in case of this very thing.

[danderson]

I would file a report and explain the situation, let them handle it, chances are this person may have other stolen property 

[Blacktail Sniper]

I would file a report and explain the situation, let them handle it, chances are this person may have other stolen property

Or this person may be an innocent second or even third party owner and have no clue it is stolen.

If the OP has no way to positively prove this was his gun, and since no police report was filed at the time    it comes down to most likely buying it back or walking away with a hard lesson learned...

[Oh Mah]

was it stolen before or after 594?

[Ridgeratt]

was it stolen before or after 594?

Excellent point!!!

How many people have bought, traded and sold guns. Lots of items were exchanged between folks with no paper work. Folks looking for the first gun for a kid would find a clean used gun and buy it. I even see ads on here doing the same thing. Courious how many of you got your first gun from your parent's who found a used gun. Perhaps there is no paperwork done on those either.




Prior to 1968, some long guns had serial numbers, some did not. It began in the 1800s. In 1934, US law required SNs on all handguns and machineguns. In 1968 law required them on rifles and shotguns.

I have guns from my Great grandfather that have no numbers on them what so ever.....

[Blacktail Sniper]

was it stolen before or after 594?

The OP said it was an antique gun, so if it was truly an antique by legal definition (example, made in 1898 or before) there is no requirement to do a transfer, cash and carry...

[Oh Mah]

  i thought that in order for a dealer to sell it they have to have the paper for where it came from.Just like any broker or pawn shop.

[Ridgeratt]

i thought that in order for a dealer to sell it they have to have the paper for where it came from.Just like any broker or pawn shop.

What is the definition of dealer you are using.

[CAMPMEAT]

You didn't need any type of paperwork at all, unless selling it, in the good old days in Washington State. Bill of sale was all you needed in years before, if I remember correctly.

[KFhunter]

You didn't need any type of paperwork at all, unless selling it, in the good old days in Washington State. Bill of sale was all you needed in years before, if I remember correctly.

Didn't even need that, that was just CYA in case someone did something stupid with a gun you once owned.

[Ridgeratt]

KF I would be willing to bet your dad traded numerous guns over the years. Perhaps many with just a hand shake.

[CAMPMEAT]

You didn't need any type of paperwork at all, unless selling it, in the good old days in Washington State. Bill of sale was all you needed in years before, if I remember correctly.

Didn't even need that, that was just CYA in case someone did something stupid with a gun you once owned.

I meant business to private party. I remember doing paperwork, bill of sale on my Colt Python.

[KFhunter]

OH ok, that goes back further than me 

[Oh Mah]

i thought that in order for a dealer to sell it they have to have the paper for where it came from.Just like any broker or pawn shop.

What is the definition of dealer you are using.

dealer:someone that is selling as a business.If its a private seller then different i guess.It still will hold the seller liable whether there is paper work or not.,If the op can prove it is his then the seller is in posession of stolen property.Also trafficking stolen property.

[jager]

Thanks for all of the input!

I didn't want to update until I had the pistol in hand.

Little backstory first...just to clarify a few things.

This gun was taken about 8 years ago long before 594, by an employee of a storage company I was using.
He was an older guy.. I had met once. fired a long time ago..

I saw the ad for the handgun online...a total fluke that I spotted this gun..I immediately recognized it as the one that I had.

After a few emails back and forth over the holiday and a little online sleuthing by myself, I met the mid 20 something guy that had it.

Nice guy. fellow hunter, Wasn't a tweaker.

I bought the gun back. Didn't ask questions. All I could have said was, how or where did you get this? Would it have mattered?

Didn't report to the police as I had no proof that it had been mine. I had no idea how many times this gun had changed hands.
It IS antique by the way, 118-119 years old.

Didn't initially report because I hadn't known it was missing for quite some time..Not enough info on the gun etc.

Anyway, The gun is back in the family.

Thanks again !