Selling Estate Firearms
 

Neighbor’s husband died about a year ago. She has asked that I look at the firearms and give her advice regarding best way to sell... First, what needs to be done regarding anything restricted? Second, I assume she will not want the hassle of selling them individually/privately so probably best is to recommend auction? Recommendations regarding a good Edm area auction outfit?

Ward's and call cdn firearms reg and ask the ? - a good estate lawyer would know but the top dog at Ward's Auctions would as well ... don't let a 'high talker" come in and cherry pick, put it at auction there is one this MArch at Ward's I believe, there is another firearms estate in this auction as well from Ontario ... so if they are moving an estate to Alberta to sell it speaks to something ... my .02

I’m not up to speed on restricted regs but if I’m not mistaken there is a grace period in the case of a deceased person for the family to make arrangements to transfer or forfeit firearms?
As for auctions,imho risky as far as getting real value out of the guns,especially if sold as a lot/collection vs. individual private sales.
She’d likely be better off financially to have a friend/agent(yourself?) that knows guns to sell them for her,even if you kept a small commission to cover your time and hassle it’s likely less than auction commission/fees and you have the discretion to reject rediculous low offers.

Not exactly Edmonton area but isn't Olds Spring auction cming up before long?

Call Rosehill Auction in Olds.

As for weighing the time and hassle vs value,I spose that might depend upon wether we’re talking about a typical hunter with 1/2 dozen guns or an avid collector with dozens?
If it’s just a few guns shouldn’t be too much bother for a trusted friend to sell at a fair price within a reasonable time frame?A large collection she may just want to send to auction and be done with it.....but again,I would think she’d fair better financially selling them privately regardless size of collection.

Thanks for the replies. I now need advice only regarding the sale...as I (unexpectedly) got quick access to the Cdn Firearms Center and was advised .... 1) There is an undefined “grace” period, and 2) they have a form available to transfer ownership from the deceased to the executor. Once the latter is filed with the death certificate, restricted scan be sold by the Executor. Executor does not require an RPAL.

Maybe let us know a few of what's in the collection or how big is the collection. Putting in a bunch of old Cooey .22's and sporterized enfields may not be worth putting in an auction. If they're true collectable firearms, then private sales would maximize value.

I may be meeting with her this afternoon....and subject to her approval (assuming there are not too many) ... I will post a list in this thread asking for a ballpark valuation.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/f...tament-eng.htm

I would call the CFO and discuss her and your options for assisting with the sale or call Ward are discuss their process.

If restricted firearms are involved and you have your RPAL and the capacity to take possession of all the firearms, the CFO may suggest transfer of all firearms to you as the easiest method. You can then sell them individually at your leisure.

If you are going with an auction service such as Ward, I believe their business license allows them to take possession and transfer authority of the firearms for purpose of sale. Once sold at the auction then Ward will transfer the restricted firearm from the deceased individuals name to the new owner. Non-restricted are very easy since they is no registered transfer involved.

Don't forget there is a 30% sellers fee when going through auction.

Wow! Might as well price them to move at a gunshow.

Just a couple of (nice) shotguns, and .22s...and 5 handguns. She will likely take them to auction so not going to take direct offers. Thanks for all your good advice.

Which Auction are you referring to?

This is the buyers fee

Taxes:

GST (5%)
GST (5%)


Buyer's Premiums:
From (Incl.) To (Excl.) Premium
0.00 10,000.00 17%
10,000.00 Infinite 800.00

So buyers fee is 22% PLUS shipping

Most gun action sites charge 30% as a seller fee...not naming names

I just went though this with a good friends widow. (like a week ago)
For the restricted, you call in the same as any restricted transfer, but then you have to fax proof of death, and another form that says you're the executor of the estate. (They'll tell you all about it)
If there's 5 pistols, the auction is probably the simplest.
They do that all the time, and they'll take care of all those details. (And they'll probably sell fairly strongly)